Alcoa is less than a week away from its ribbon cutting that celebrates its new expansion project.
On Thursday, February 6th, 2014, the company is part of a "Think Tank Session" that discusses why the automobile industry is moving toward more aluminum. Ford recently announced its new F-150 will be 97% aluminum.
More aluminum means that more jobs are on their way to the Quad Cities. In 2012, Alcoa announced a $300 million expansion project to its Riverdale plant. The expansion means that 200 jobs will stay at the plant. Alcoa is also adding 150 jobs. Crews just completed work at the plant.
Alcoa workers told us Thursday that the government is requiring vehicles to have better fuel ratings now. That's why more car companies are moving toward aluminum.
Thursday's session starts at 6 p.m. at Rivermont Collegiate on Sunset Drive in Bettendorf. It costs $20 to attend. Alcoa's ribbon cutting takes place on Wednesday, February 12th, 2014 at the Riverdale plant.