Senator Jason Bean and

Representative Donnie Brown Release Statement Regarding Magnitude 7 Metals Operations Announcement

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Jason Bean, R-Holcomb, and State Rep. Donnie Brown, R-New Madrid, today addressed the Magnitude 7 Metals announcement to their workforce of the imminent curtailing of operations of their plant in New Madrid over the course of the next three to five days.

Plant leadership cited abnormally cold weather and unforeseen business circumstances outside their control as the reasoning behind the decision. This announcement is also the result of a struggling industry, whose products and customers compete on an international level. Magnitude 7 Metals is one of the last aluminum smelters in the United States, and is the largest single consumer of electricity in Missouri.

“Representative Brown and I will be in contact with the governor, the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to bring any available resources to New Madrid during this time of transition,” stated Sen. Bean.

“The workers and their families are in our thoughts and prayers,” stated Rep. Brown. “We need to support the families here in town, and we are committed to working hard to bring any resources the state of Missouri may have to support the citizens affected by today’s news.”

The New Madrid County community has been home to the aluminum smelter industry for over 50 years. This loss will negatively affect the city’s workforce and economy and the New Madrid community as a whole. 

“We need to remain positive about our local Magnitude 7 Metals employees. Southeast Missouri and the bootheel is home to the hardest working people who know how to persevere through difficult times,” said Sen. Bean. “Our community has many resources like our infrastructure, port authorities, the interstate and rail, which will be attractive to potential investors.”

Recognizing that the Magnitude 7 Metals facility is a significant part of the local economy, Senator Jason Bean and Representative Donnie Brown will be focusing on how to encourage economic development following the shut-down. They are hoping to provide additional information and resources in the near future.

For more information on Sen. Bean’s legislative actions, visit his official Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bean.

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