GRAMERCY - The alumina plant here is hoping to stay open by relying on changes to its operation model but Noranda executives said if changes do not work the company could temporarily close the plant in May.

Already, Noranda had announced plans to layoff workers this week but the plant remained operational. Tuesday, the company said layoffs would not happen any earlier than May 2016.

Noranda said a tax dispute with the government of Jamaica and a decrease in product needs by another company coupled with lower aluminum prices made the plant's immediate future bleak.

If business adjustments are not successful and "general business conditions do not improve, Noranda will temporarily close the Gramercy plant within a fourteen day period beginning on May 11,2016," Noranda Alumina president John Habisreitinger wrote to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Layoffs could impact 444 workers. 

Companies are required to alert the LWC of full plant closures where there are mass layoffs.

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