Second high-tech firm looking to move in at Alcoa site

Economic growth is coming to the county.

Milam County Judge Steve Young revealed good news at Commissioners Court on Monday, saying several exciting new ventures are coming.

A high-tech Japanese firm is looking to sign a lease with Alcoa for the remaining potlines at the smelter.

Young said that Whinestone USA, crypto-currency mining company, visited Rockdale and the Alcoa facility. The company is considering moving its operation from the New Orleans area to the Alcoa site. He said the company will be back in town to work out a lease agreement with Alcoa. 

“The plan is to bring about 150,000 ‘ant miners’ to the site in the next few months to start the operation,” Young said. “Over the next 4 years the number of ‘ant miners’ could increase to over 500,000 and over 200 new jobs would be created. If all goes well, this could be up and running by the end of the year.”

Young said this all came about because of a spirit of cooperation between all of those involved in Rockdale and the county.

He also said Bitmain plans to start its initial mining operation next week as well.

The plan is to go on line with about 13,000 “ant miners.” He said Bitmain is hiring and if interested you can contact the Central Texas Workforce Commission in Rockdale at (512) 446-6440.

Young also said a new packaging company is looking to expand its operation in Rockdale. The company is currently located on the west coast and needs room to grow. The new business could add 50 new jobs to the community.

“The county along with the Cameron Chamber of Commerce, the Cameron Industrial Foundation and the Rockdale MDD are sponsoring another Economic Summit in Cameron at the Williams Center on Aug. 13,” he said. “This will be a seminar with many great speakers to help business owners and elected officials better understand the issues that we face with respect to economic growth in the county.”