The announcement of the deal was made at this week’s commissioners’ meeting.

Chance, which operates a facility on Trenton Avenue, is proposing a larger facility at the Timber Run Industrial Park site, which will create 300 to 400 new jobs.

“Chance Aluminum’s proposed manufacturing base will be the first of its kind in the United States, addressing a critical gap in domestic aluminum foil production,” Metzger said.

The facility will be built with state of the art rolling mills, he said, allowing for a thinner aluminum product, which other plants cannot produce due to outdated equipment. Production at the proposed plant will help to reduce the dependence on foreign imports, Metzger noted.

Ying Jiang, corporate secretary Chance Aluminum, left,; Dr. Jack Cheng, president amd CEO Chance Aluminum, right. in Williamsport in 2021. SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

“The US imports about 90% of its aluminum foil largely due to a lack of domestic manufacturers with modern capabilities,” Metzger said.

“Domestic foil production has shrunk to just a couple of small mills, many operating with equipment of 50 years old that are unable to compete on quality and efficiency,” Metzger added.

This project would “revitalize U.S aluminum foil manufacturing,” he said, as well as reduce the country’s dependence on “cheap foreign imports and strengthen the cosmetic supply chains.”

According to Metzger’s statement, there is no domestic company that produces battery foil which is used in electric vehicles (EV’s).

“Chance Aluminum’s new facility would fulfill this void, producing specialized foils for the growing EV battery and advanced packaging sectors,” Metzger said.

“You have job creation and economic growth,” he said of the high-paying jobs that would be created from the new plant, creating opportunities in manufacturing engineering and skilled trades.

“The facility would also attract additional business and related industries. It would foster broader economic development in the region. The vertical integration assures greater efficiency, sustainability and cost control, making the U.S. aluminum industry more competitive globally,” he said.

“By approving this deal, the county is investing in the future, one that supports American manufacturing, job creation and regional economic growth,” Metzger added.

Ying Jiang, corporate secretary for Chance, joined the meeting virtually from the company’s headquarters in Florida.

“This investment marks the beginning of a new era for domestic aluminum manufacturing,” Jiang said.

“This investment will create hundreds of well-paying jobs and revitalize the industry which is critical and essential to our nation’s supply chain and infrastructure industry. We are committed to building state-of-the-art facilities that will not only strengthen the local economy, but also position Lycoming County as a leader in advanced aluminum production,” she added.

Almost exactly a year ago at this time, the Lycoming County Commissioners approved a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Chance Aluminum Corp. to purchase the land to construct a plant at the site, as the Sun-Gazette reported in its March 15, 2024, edition.

When they announced their intent to purchase the site to construct a new facility, they stated that they have no intention of closing the Williamsport plant. The company produces aluminum products for A.A. Metals, Orlando.

Jack Cheng is CEO and president of AA Metals and Chance Aluminum, but was unable to be present at the meeting.

Metzger credited Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, with being instrumental in bringing this project to the county.

Fink noted that Chance came to the area when JW Aluminum closed due to reasons associated with the pandemic.

“They have invested heavily at that company already at that facility with new machinery and equipment…they have already added equipment there as well,” Fink said.

“We’re excited to be able to see them seeing the value of investing here in Lycoming County. The workforce here is something that they see a great asset with and being able to grow their presence here,” Fink said.

Rep. Jamie Flick was also on hand for the announcement and echoed Metzger’s words, calling the facility, “a one of a kind in the nation.”