Aluminum Dynamics will not construct its planned recycling facility in the city of Benson, southeast of Tucson. The decision comes after a year of protest and the recall of three council members.
The plant would have sold recycled scrap aluminum to the beverage, automotive and construction industries. In a statement shared with local media on Wednesday, project spokesperson Tricia Meyers said differences between state officials and looming production needs led to Aluminum Dynamics’ decision to find an alternative location.
Community members have fought the project fiercely for a year. Misty Bloom co-founded the nonprofit Health Over Wealth Benson to raise awareness of various environmental and zoning concerns.
“It was right across the street from a nursing home, a mile away from schools and parks and right on the edge of the San Pedro River,” Bloom said.
Health Over Wealth Benson gathered a petition with close to 4,000 signatures, but it failed to stop the plan from moving forward. In response to this and what residents saw as a mishandling of zoning and public meeting rules, the Committee for a Better Benson led a successful recall vote of three City Council members in May.
“We were able to rally through the Facebook group and encourage people to write ADEQ; write Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, so the community just showed up in full force and it's really a community win,” Bloom said.
Mayes is currently reviewing whether or not the City Council violated open meeting laws.
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