First Lady Jill Biden toured the Aurubis plant in Augusta Wednesday and took stock of the city’s progress since it was named a Workforce Hub by the Biden Administration.
“We have so many incredible partners here today, from colleges and businesses to state and local leaders,” she told a VIP crowd at the metals plant, which is set to go online in mid-2024.
Last summer the German company upped its investment in the plant to $700 million and the Biden Administration identified Augusta as one of five Workforce Hubs across the U.S.
With the designation came instructions to forge and reinforce partnerships, with engagement by the city’s mayor, with area educational, workforce development and labor organizations to ensure a steady stream of skilled workers, to be a model for other cities.
Biden recalled her visit with area middle-schoolers and college students learning manufacturing skills at the onset of the designation in July.
“Today, I’m back to see the progress you’ve made in such a short time,” she said.
The partnerships are paying off, she said.
“Aurubis and other companies right here in Augusta are hiring hundreds of local workers,” she said. “Aiken Tech, Augusta Tech, and Richmond County schools are partnering with local unions to make sure young people are ready for construction jobs here.”
Aurubis CEO Roland Harings said the company is pleased with its site selection.
The copper recycler and metals supplier for the automotive, battery and electronics industries “will both reduce waste and provide critical materials and metals to the industry and to the U.S. supply chain,” he said.
Aurubis chose Augusta over other southeastern sites due to its location and proximity to ports, as well as its workforce, he said.
“What really made the difference is the people here in Augusta,” he said. “We are even more convinced today about it being the right one.”
Working from the outset with entities such as Augusta Technical College, the company is investing $200,000 to establish apprenticeships and other entry points to working at the plant, said David Schultheis, president and managing director for Aurubis Richmond, the Augusta facility.
“We’ve set up and committed to invest over $200,000 over the next five years into establishing what is basically an apprenticeship and other ways into the work,” Schultheis said.
Aurubis Richmond currently has about 25 experienced workers from Europe at the plant, assisting with training and planning, he said. It expects to have a staff of about 230 when the plant opens, he said.
The plant is home to the first U.S. chapter of Women4Metals, an empowerment initiative for women in the metals industry.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson said the company’s $700 million investment would not have happened without support from Gov. Brian Kemp, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Augusta Economic Development Authority and the Augusta Commission.
“Our goal is to build momentum for action and partnerships that will connect a broad range of careers,” he said.
Jill Biden traced the area manufacturing rebound and the available pursuit of meaningful work to her husband and his middle-class upbringing in Scranton, Pa.
“Augusta Tech and Richmond County schools are partnering with local communities to make sure that young people are ready for construction jobs all because Joe is investing in Augusta,” she said. “He knows how a job can change a family’s path and it’s why he’s fighting for communities like Augusta.”
