After first being defeated in Committee on Monday, a $255 million incentive package for Emirates Global Aluminum’s $4 billion aluminum smelter proposed for the Port of Inola won approval Monday night. But only after a lot of political arm twisting.
The measure, HB 2781, was first defeated by the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget on a 12-12 tie vote. But three hours later, some minds were changed and the bill, one proposing $2 billion of capital investment and the creation of at least 700 jobs in the first year, was approved on a 16-9 vote.
Senators in the committee were encouraged to vote for the projects by Gov. Kevin Stitt who released a message late Monday.
“A project of this size is a boon for all 4 million Oklahomans. Oklahoma is open for business, and that means companies are coming here and hiring hard working Oklahomans. EGA is huge for our state, and we need to get it across the finish line.”
The House approved the measure on Tuesday. The Oklahoma House of Representatives advanced House Bill 2781 of the House floor by a vote of 56-34, establishing the Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act (ROA-25), aimed at reviving American manufacturing and supporting a landmark $4 billion investment by Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) in the state of Oklahoma.
This investment comes after a strategic international deal negotiated by President Trump which will bring to life one of the first new aluminum smelters built in the United States in 45 years. The project is expected to create over 1,000 high-paying jobs, double the nation’s aluminum production capacity and significantly strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chains.
House Bill 2781 creates the Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act (ROA-25) investment rebate program, a powerful new incentive tool administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC). Eligible manufacturers investing at least $2 billion and creating 700 new jobs in the first year (increasing to 1,000 in the second year and beyond) will qualify for performance-based rebate payments through July 1, 2045. The measure ensures fiscal responsibility by establishing a long-term annuity structure to fund rebates via the ROA-25 Revolving Fund and ROA-25 Beneficiary Fund.
“The Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act marks a generational opportunity to restore America’s manufacturing dominance and create meaningful jobs for our communities,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This is a direct result of President Trump’s America First economic agenda, and Oklahoma is proud to lead the way.”
The ROA-25 rebate program operates independently of the existing Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. Projects receiving ROA-25 rebates are barred from receiving concurrent Quality Jobs incentives, ensuring transparent and accountable use of state funds.
“This investment marks a historic milestone for Oklahoma, national security and the future of American manufacturing, said Rep. Brian Hill, R- Mustang, Chairman of Commerce and Economic Development. “As the first new aluminum smelter built in the U.S. in over 45 years, it will create more than 1,000 direct jobs and thousands more across the supply chain. Oklahoma is proud to lead in critical minerals, drive economic growth and build a stronger future for our families and communities.”
The passage of HB2781 builds on the foundational work of SB1447, passed in 2024, which established the Legislative Economic Advancement and Development (LEAD) Committee, a bipartisan body tasked with thoroughly vetting large-scale economic development proposals.
“The LEAD Committee was created to give lawmakers the tools to vet big investments with clarity and confidence,” said Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, a lead proponent of both SB1447 and HB2781. “The EGA aluminum smelter is exactly the kind of transformative project we envisioned when we created the committee. It’s a bold step forward.”
WithTuesday’s House vote, Oklahoma positions itself at the forefront of a new American manufacturing renaissance, attracting international investment while delivering thousands of jobs and a more secure industrial future for the United States.
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