New Economic Impact Study: Oklahoma Primary Aluminum to Generate $49 Billion for Oklahoma

Facility renderings offer a first look at the project, designed to be the most modern primary aluminum facility in the United States.

INOLA, Okla., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma Primary Aluminum today released a comprehensive economic impact study detailing the proposed more than $4 billion primary aluminum facility's expected economic impact on Rogers County, Oklahoma and the nation, including thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity.

The company today also unveiled first-look project renderings at its 441-acre location at the Tulsa Port of Inola.

Project renderings

• Click here to view a flyover tour of the project
• Click here to view still images of the facility's renderings.

"This project represents a generational opportunity to create thousands of good-paying jobs, strengthen Oklahoma communities and bring critical manufacturing back to America," said Governor Kevin Stitt. "The economic impact in this study shows what is possible when companies choose to invest in Oklahoma. We can and must continue to listen to all Oklahomans while ensuring Oklahoma remains a place where job creators can count on clear rules and a fair, consistent process."

Economic impact study

The study reports that the facility will serve as a generational economic anchor for the state, generating approximately 7,000 Oklahoma jobs on average per year. Employment is expected to peak at more than 10,600 jobs in 2029 as construction winds down and hiring for operations ramps up. The project will add an average of $1.45 billion per year to the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) spanning decades of ongoing operation and $911 million each year in household income for Oklahoma families.

In total, the facility is projected to contribute approximately $49 billion in cumulative impact to Oklahoma's economy through 2060, delivering high-demand enduring manufacturing careers, expanded educational partnerships and long-term tax revenue for local communities.

"This is the largest single economic development project in Oklahoma history, and this study shows the generational impact Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will have on our state," said Oklahoma Commerce CEO John Budd. "Not only does it further solidify Oklahoma as a national leader in onshoring critical mineral supply chains and manufacturing, but it also creates new opportunities for future generations of Oklahomans while being developed with the highest standards for safety and in full compliance with all state and federal regulations."

The study, conducted by Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI), highlights the project's transformative impact as the largest advanced-manufacturing anchor in northeastern Oklahoma:

• $1.45 Billion Annual Contribution to Oklahoma's Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The single site in Inola will add $1.45 billion to Oklahoma's GDP each year on average, representing nearly 0.7 percent of the state's entire economy. Nationally, the project is expected to contribute an average of $2.2 billion to U.S. GDP.
• $911 Million Annual Household Income: The facility and its associated supply chains will deliver $911 million in direct, indirect and induced household income to Oklahoma families every year.
• 7,000 Oklahoma Jobs on average per year over the life of the project, with jobs peaking at more than 10,600 in 2029, including:
  • 1,000+ permanent direct jobs in operations
  • 5,000+ indirect and induced jobs
  • 4,000+ temporary jobs during construction
• High-Demand Manufacturing Careers: Once fully operational, the facility will create at least 1,000 permanent, direct jobs with average annual compensation of approximately $100,000, among the region's highest-paying employment opportunities.
• 3x Jobs Multiplier in Oklahoma: Every direct job created at the facility will generate approximately three additional jobs in Oklahoma and five additional jobs nationally.
• Construction & Skilled Trade Growth: The three-year construction phase is expected to employ approximately 4,000 workers, with construction jobs paying prevailing wages. Local hiring will be prioritized and more than 12 percent of labor (375 to 500 positions) will be completed by apprentices.

"Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is a transformative, multi-generational economic opportunity not just for Inola, but for Rogers County, northeast Oklahoma and the state as a whole," said Ziad Fares, Project Director for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum. "Many states across America competed to secure our project because they recognized the significant contribution it would make to their own economic growth. We chose Oklahoma because of the state's ambition for landmark industrial projects to drive prosperity and progress. That ambition is what is at stake as we strive to move this project forward in Inola."

Headquartered in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum combines the strengths of Century Aluminum, America's largest producer of primary aluminum, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a long-standing supplier of aluminum to U.S. aerospace, automotive and defense industries with more than 25 years of operations and investment in the U.S. America imports approximately 85% of the primary aluminum it consumes. As the first primary aluminum facility built in the United States since 1980, the 750,000-metric-ton facility will double national production capacity and significantly reduce U.S. reliance on imported aluminum. By manufacturing this critical material in Rogers County, Oklahoma will play a central role in securing domestic supply chains for aerospace, defense, energy and automotive industries.

Safety and environmental performance are central to the project, which will utilize the industry's most advanced technology. The facility will incorporate EGA's proprietary EX reduction cell technology, designed to improve energy efficiency and ensure the plant meets rigorous environmental safety requirements . The project will set a new standard for safe, efficient and environmentally responsible primary aluminum production.

Beyond its direct economic output, the study highlights Oklahoma Primary Aluminum's commitment to growing together with the local community:

• Workforce Pipelines: The project is building tailored partnerships with regional educational institutions such as Rogers State University, Oklahoma State University, Northeast Tech and Tulsa Technology Center to establish technical training programs, pre-apprenticeship pathways and advanced engineering degrees. 
• Industry Growth: Oklahoma Primary Aluminum will catalyze a fully integrated aluminum ecosystem at the Port of Inola, anchored by the already announced U.S. Aluminum project. An estimated $400–$500 million in additional regional infrastructure investments – funded separately through federal grants and state incentives— support port upgrades, wastewater treatment and a new electric substation, strengthening the Tulsa Port of Inola and creating benefits for the surrounding region.
• World-leading Environmental Protection: Designed with enclosed production units, continuous monitoring and advanced scrubbers that capture and recycle 99 percent of process fluoride, the facility recently announced it would meet the lowest fluoride emissions intensity limits for a U.S. primary aluminum plant. It will operate under strict oversight from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Communities across the United States and Canada competed for this project because of the economic opportunities it represents. Oklahoma was selected because we offer a unique combination of infrastructure, access to talent and a belief that Oklahomans deserve more," said Tulsa Ports. "This study helps put numbers behind what Oklahoma Primary Aluminum could mean for our region and our state, including new opportunities for future generations to live, work and build careers here at home."

The full economic impact study is available online, with additional information and resources available on Oklahoma Primary Aluminum's website at oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com

About Oklahoma Primary Aluminum
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is a joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium, the world's largest producer of premium aluminum, and Century Aluminum Company, the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States. The company is planning a state-of-the-art primary aluminum production facility at the Tulsa Port of Inola in Rogers County, Oklahoma. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 750,000 metric tons of primary aluminum annually once it starts production, more than doubling current U.S. primary aluminum production capacity while creating approximately 1,000 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. The project represents a significant investment in strengthening America's domestic aluminum supply chain, supporting U.S. manufacturing, and advancing long-term economic growth. Learn more at oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com.

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum
[email protected]

SOURCE Oklahoma Primary Aluminum