KNOXVILLE – Alcoa Inc. has launched a $110 million upgrade of its Cheoah Dam near Robbinsville, N.C., in a project that includes federal stimulus money.
The dam on the Little Tennessee River is the oldest of four Alcoa uses to supply power for its aluminum smelting and refining operations.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that four 90-year-old turbines at the dam will be replaced by high-efficiency turbines and other equipment.
Alcoa Energy President Rick Bowen made the announcement Friday in Robbinsville.
The project received a boost from a $12.95 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant.
Alcoa spokeswoman Christy Newman said the company has no estimate of the number of jobs that will be created by the project.