WURTLAND, Ky. (AP) — The CEO of an aluminum company says it chose Kentucky over 24 other states to build a $1.3 billion plant that is expected to hire 550 people.

Craig Bouchard told reporters Wednesday it was a "come from behind win" for Kentucky, which he said was not in the running until the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law banning mandatory union dues. He said the plant will produce 370,000 tons of aluminum for the automotive and aerospace industries. He said in three years, the facility in Greenup County will be producing 20 percent of the automotive sheet aluminum in the United States.

The plant will make the skin for automobiles, plate aluminum for the wings of airplanes and unspecified materials for the Department of Defense.

More From News Talk KIT