Alcoa to Hire 275+ and Re-Start Smelting Lines in Newburgh

[BankShot]

This should add a few more in the stands next season for UE Basketball...

http://www.courierpress.com/story/n...start-warrick-smelter-add-275-jobs/103612404/

 

[bent20]

Adding jobs is good, but I'm failing to see where this is going to mean much for Evansville basketball. The metro area added 275 jobs. Even if you assume each of these blue collar employees, who could probably care less about the basketball team at a private, average, mid-major program, attends every game that's not much of an increase. Evansville has double the population of TH, but still only averages around 5,000 in attendance. About 1/24 Evansville residents, or Evansvillians, attends a game. Apply that to the 275 number and you're looking at another 11 per game ... maybe.

 

[4Q_iu]

Adding jobs is good, but I'm failing to see where this is going to mean much for Evansville basketball. The metro area added 275 jobs. Even if you assume each of these blue collar employees, who could probably care less about the basketball team at a private, average, mid-major program, attends every game that's not much of an increase. Evansville has double the population of TH, but still only averages around 5,000 in attendance. About 1/24 Evansville residents, or Evansvillians, attends a game. Apply that to the 275 number and you're looking at another 11 per game ... maybe.

given the 'current' unemployment rate for vanderburgh county (3.7%) and warrick county (3.9%); i doubt this blip in jobs will equate to even 1.5 more butts in seats for Moores Hill...

and given that people from well east of newburgh (and west, south and north) drive to evansville for work... 1.5 new butts could be a stretch

the aces are a 2nd thought, maybe even third behind the reform institute in gloomington and that team in east central kentucky...

 

[BankShot]

Adding jobs is good, but I'm failing to see where this is going to mean much for Evansville basketball. The metro area added 275 jobs. Even if you assume each of these blue collar employees, who could probably care less about the basketball team at a private, average, mid-major program, attends every game that's not much of an increase. Evansville has double the population of TH, but still only averages around 5,000 in attendance. About 1/24 Evansville residents, or Evansvillians, attends a game. Apply that to the 275 number and you're looking at another 11 per game ... maybe.

Let's see now...each one of these jobs will pay in excess of $50k yr., not including "benefits" (salary of UNDEREMPLOYED workers in their post-Alcoa employment?). UE is STILL "the" university, and Warrick County families supply their fair share of UE students each year. 5 families out of these 275 workers would equal Bent's proposition. For a well-marketed game, I'd guess 25 families represented @ 4/family...safely over 100.

Curious, Bent...what the hell does "blue collar" have to do with this issue? I've known employees of Alcoa working the "pot lines" that have had college degrees, but made TWICE as much $$$ w/ "the sweat of their brow." Yes, these "blue collar" people enjoy college sports as much as "white collar." It's always been that way...half the Fendrich cigar smoke that hovered under the old Roberts Stadium scoreboard during the mid-60's ORIGINATED from "blue collar" smoke rings.

4Q cites a 3.9% unemployment factor and suggests a "no impact" theory. I disagree. The 3.9% figure is misleading, as many of original 600 laid off workers became UNDEREMPLOYED, in the Tri-State, thus having LESS DISPOSABLE INCOME for frills like UE Sports, thus likely having an impact on UE 2016 lowered attendance.

 

[sycamore tuff]

OK, my electricity is back on after the Duke Energy boys worked their tails off after the Wednesday evening storms that came thru Terre Haute. Anyway, can't we just be happy that there will be more good jobs for the people of Evansville without all the what's in it for me attitudes?

 

[BankShot]

Some people living 500 mi away have no clue re: the impact of Alcoa upon SW Indiana & NW KY, past-present or future. I WORKED @ Alcoa during my college dayz Summers & had numerous local friends/contacts that have either directly worked or had ancillary businesses associated w/ Alcoa. Whenever DISPOSABLE income increases, it fuels other area businesses, including UE sports. Alcoa has long been the #1 "corporate neighbor," shelling out big $$$ to local charities, hospitals & schools & communities.

275 jobs of this nature is a shot in the arm for the local economy. Any idea why Boonville's Mayor was so happy? Pot lines-coal-energy-trucking, etc. Cheap Chinese aluminum has DESTROYED the Alcoa market for years - good to finally see a U.S. President understand the value of BLUE COLLAR to the heart of America.