Bitmain looks to hire locally

The high-tech company which is bringing a much anticipated business to the former Alcoa smelter, says it is looking to hire most employees locally.

“Our objective will be to concentrate on the local Rockdale market for a majority of the positions,” Jeff Stearns, Bitmain Director of North American Operations and senior vice president, told The Reporter.

He also said there will be employment opportunities in addition to the actual blockchain data center operation.

“There will be a wide range of jobs required, general labor and entry-level through senior engineers and executive management.

It is anticipated Bitmain will employ 350 to 400 with an additional 150 ancillary employees.

It’s been a concern in local circles that Bitmain positions will be too technical for most Rockdale-area job seekers, but Stearns said there will be training available for persons who want to work for the technology giant.

“Obviously, existing expertise is a benefit, and there will be some degree of technical familiarity necessary,” he said.

“However, training will be provided for the specific knowledge and techniques,” Stearns said.

MORE COMING—The broker for what’s been termed the Sandow Lakes Ranch—32,000-plus acres adjacent to the smelter—said his Icon Global Company has issued a “final call” for offers.

Bernard Uechtritz said the property “is slated to become home to top-tier companies in various industries, including technology, solar, ranching and mixed use development.

He said sale of the property is expected to close by the end of the 2018’s fourth quarter. Purchase price is listed as $250 million.

Uechtritz also confirmed several revenue-generating lease contracts “are in place” and that there have been negotiations with “global, national and Texas-based companies to lease, or otherwise occupy and develop significant portions of the property.

That’s in line with Uechtritz’s statements in July when the Bitmain story broke. He said Alcoa was negotiating with “five or six” solar energy companies, that one wanted 5,000 to 6,000 acres and there were “talks” of building two to three solar energy farms on site.

Bitmain’s operation will require tremendous amounts of energy.

The final call reflects, and references, Bitmain’s lease of the former Alcoa Rockdale Operations smelter.

PRODUCTION—Stearns said Bitmain’s site “fit-up” continues and the company expects to complete all work in the first quarter of 2019.

“We are hopeful to begin a small amount of production on Jan. 1, 2019,” he said. “However, there is still information required associated with electrical infrastructure to ensure the date.”