LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- Construction is starting on a new $90 million facility at Alcoa's factory in Lafayette.
The company held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the new aluminum lithium operation that is expected to begin production in 2014. Alcoa says it expects to add about 75 jobs to the some 730 now at the plant.
Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions president Eric Roegner says the new facility's aluminum lithium alloys will be used for lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and will compete with carbon fiber.
Plant employee Keith Fortner tells the Journal & Courier (http://on.jconline.com/Jlk9LU ) that the expansion is reassuring to workers after the factory saw some layoffs during the recession in 2009.
