Alcoa Corporation has been an integral part of the Badin community for many years. After announcing that the Badin Works smelter would permanently close in 2010, work began to redevelop the former plant site into an industrial business park. Today, Badin Business Park carries forward our commitment to the local community.

Through the years, Alcoa Corporation and the Alcoa Foundation have donated millions of dollars to support nearly 100 local non-profit organizations in Stanly County and across central North Carolina. Gifts have helped spur economic development, teach new skills to displaced workers, fund college scholarships, promote lake safety and support local law enforcement organizations.

Notable gifts include:

  • A $250,000 grant to the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center to benefit economic development efforts in Badin.
  • The donation of more than 1,000 acres to expand Morrow Mountain State Park. The land allowed Morrow Mountain State Park to grow its footprint by more than 20 percent, making it one of the largest state parks in North Carolina. In addition, Alcoa worked with the State of North Carolina, the Land Trust of Central North Carolina and other conservation partners to help conserve nearly 5,000 acres of undeveloped land along High Rock and Tuckertown.
  • The donation of more than 1 million artifacts unearthed at the historic Hardaway Site in Stanly County to researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill. This site, one of North America’s most significant archaeological sites, was discovered on Alcoa-owned property in the 1940s. Alcoa Foundation provided a $220,000 grant to raise awareness about the site and the settlers who lived here more than 10,000 years ago.
  • New patrol boats to help sheriff departments in Stanly County, Rowan County, Montgomery County and Davidson County provide for more effective law enforcement on the water.

Permanent protection for Alcoa lands at Tuckertown

As part of the Alcoa Relicensing Settlement Agreement, more than 2,400 acres of Alcoa property along the Yadkin River is being permanently protected. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission worked with the Three Rivers Land Trust, The Conservation Fund and other conservation partners to purchase the property, which includes 31 miles of shoreline along the eastern shore of the Tuckertown Reservoir.

“Conserving these lands for public access, water quality and wildlife habitat perfectly aligns with our agency’s mission to protect our state’s natural resources,” said Cameron Ingram, executive director of the Wildlife Commission.

WBTV: Permanent protection for Alcoa lands at Tuckertown

“The chance to protect water quality and provide outdoor recreation opportunities at this scale does not come along often,” said Jeff Michael, deputy secretary for Natural Resources at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “This represents an extraordinary chapter in the history of conservation in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin.”

Alcoa Foundation grant expands college and career readiness system in Stanly Co. Schools

AVID Center, a nonprofit that partners with schools to create thriving learning cultures that close opportunity gaps, received a $51,078 grant from Alcoa Foundation to bring its proven approach to equitable teaching and learning to two North Carolina high schools — Albemarle High School and North Stanly High School — during the 2022-23 school year.

Grant funds will provide access to high-quality professional learning for educators at these schools, equipping them with strategies to prepare every student to succeed in college, careers, and life. This grant marks an expansion of the AVID system for Stanly County Schools, which has already implemented AVID at four middle schools.

“We are honored to receive this generous grant in support of Stanly County Schools’ efforts to ensure that every student is equipped to live a life of possibility,” said AVID CEO Thuan Nguyen. “With this expansion of AVID, Stanly County Schools can ensure that more students—including and especially those facing inequities—receive the opportunity and support required to develop the skills needed for success in a global society.”

“By providing high school students in Stanly County with access to rigorous learning experiences in a supportive learning environment, we can make a big impact on educational outcomes for Stanly County students,” said Robyn Gross, Director of Transformation at Alcoa. “We are proud to support the partnership between Stanly County Schools and AVID to effectively promote equitable access to education and skill- building opportunities.”

Stanly Community College receives Alcoa Foundation grant

Students at Stanly Community College will soon be better equipped to explore, plan for, and pursue career opportunities, thanks to a grant from the Alcoa Foundation. The grant, awarded in November 2021, will help fund the development of new interactive digital tools focused on career exploration and planning.

“There is a need for colleges, local education agencies, and other workforce development partners to do a better job providing students with information about career fields, education requirements, and realistic earning and job placement data,” said Jeff Parsons, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer.

“While several resources exist, they are disconnected from each other, presenting a challenge for students and displaced workers, especially in rural communities, as they seek to determine the best path forward to support themselves and their families. Stanly Community College is very grateful for the Alcoa funding that will help SCC develop a more comprehensive and interactive digital pathways tool. This tool will integrate with a newly designed website to guide students through their educational journey and career plans.”

Stanly News & Press: Stanly Community College receives grant funding from Alcoa Foundation

Badin Breaks Ground on New Waterfront Park

Badin Business Park donated 14 acres of land to the Town of Badin for a public park in June 2021. Town officials say the property, located directly adjacent to the Badin Lake recreation area on N.C. Highway 740, will be transformed into a waterfront park that will include features such as boat docks, wooded trails with lake views, picnic shelters, a band shell and watercraft rentals.

“We are incredibly excited about this donation and the opportunity it presents for us to create a unique waterfront recreation area in Badin. The park will have a regional appeal that complements the draw of Morrow Mountain State Park and Uwharrie National Forest,” Badin Mayor Anne Harwood said. “We look forward to maximizing the recreational offerings in our beautiful waterfront town.”

The town will spend the next year soliciting ideas from the community, planning for the park and securing funding for a variety of park amenities.

“Badin is a beautiful town, and we are excited about what the future holds for this property. It is a beautiful setting for a waterfront park and is sure to draw more people to Badin,” said Robyn Gross, a director of Alcoa Transformation/Asset Planning & Management.

Stanly News & Press: Badin receives 14-acre donation for new waterfront park

Land Donations Expand Morrow Mountain State Park

Badin Business Park donated more than 1,000 acres to expand Morrow Mountain State Park in May 2020. The donation was one of many commitments made during the federal relicensing of Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. Read the article in the Salisbury Post.

The land, situated along the Yadkin River on the north-northwest side of the park, will allow Morrow Mountain State Park to grow its footprint by more than 20 percent. The 5,881-acre park is now one of the ten largest state parks in North Carolina by acreage.

“We are so grateful to have this addition to Morrow Mountain State Park,” said park superintendent Jeff Davidson. “Nesting bald eagles, timber rattlesnakes and the rare Yadkin River Goldenrod make their homes on the acreage with its large boulder fields, scenic vistas and unique wildlife habitat. This major addition will conserve important ecosystems and make a little more room for recreation to serve nearby communities as well as the growing Piedmont population.”

In addition, the company has agreed to sell more than 6,000 acres of undeveloped property near the lakes for permanent conservation. This includes 2,463 acres above High Rock Lake and 2,300 acres along Tuckertown Reservoir.