Proposed Aluminum Plant in Benson Sparks Debate

Cochise County is seeking ways to grow and expand, but residents in Benson are concerned that this is not the solution.

Aluminum Dynamics has proposed building a new plant in Benson. The idea has sparked both hope and concern, and some residents are hoping to put the brakes on the project before it gets started.

The company is planning to build a 174,000-square-foot facility on a 200-acre site in Benson near Highway 80 and 7th Street.

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Some believe the plant would spark growth and bring new jobs that would strengthen the local economy.

Not so fast, some residents say. The project is raising environmental red flags that they believe could pose a greater threat than the benefits it would bring to the city's bottom line.

What Supporters Say

Supporters of the project want the plant built to boost the local economy. The facility is expected to create around 275 full-time jobs.

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It would also generate significant tax revenue, which city officials are eyeing to boost public services and enhance local infrastructure. The plant would be built near the railroad, which is a strategically located site for transporting the processed aluminum.

What The Opposition Says

While the project is widely supported by Benson's city officials, including the mayor and the city manager, the opposition is very vocal and extremely organized.

Local residents and advocates are speaking out against the project. They've launched petitions and websites, such as No Benson Aluminum Plant, to protest the plant and keep detractors up-to-date on the issues surrounding the planned project.

Their main points center on the potential for air and water pollution, citing the plant’s projected emissions of fine particulate matter and hazardous pollutants, like hydrogen chloride.

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Critics also argue that the plant will consume a massive amount of water—approximately 5,000 gallons per minute for its cooling towers. Cochise County is already concerned with falling water tables; detractors argue the new plant would be unsustainable in the drought-afflicted area.

Public opinion is sharply divided between the prospect of future job opportunities versus the environmental impact.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will host a public meeting on July 28 to gather community input. As Benson weighs its future, this issue is far from over.

Sources: Aluminum Dynamics | ADEQ