Alcan Plant Reopens Temporarily

In December, Alcan plant closed its door, but it's now reopening temporarily and rehiring 27 employees.

A single phone call requesting work on a short-term transmission project couldn't have come at a better time.

"The guys are pretty excited to be here. It's a win-win situation," said Sean Milner, plant manager.

Many who were laid off either went back to school or are still jobless. Though temporary, the project is pouring in four months of consistent income for former employees.

"It's a good opportunity for summer employment," said Sheri Tinker.

"My wife's hours got cut back so this is working out well," said Jody Gardner.

At one point, the cable plant reached a high of 170 employees. But the economic downturn forced the plant to shut down.

"It was heartbreaking you know, we had been together for quite awhile," Tinker said.

"The utilities wasn't doing much so our capacity wasn't needed," Milner said.

Employees say life after Alcan and searching for jobs in the same line of work is pretty rough.

"Manufacturing in this county is dying.  There's so many people out there in the labor market," Gardner said.

Milner says after the project is finished, they don't plan on reopening again.