Congressman Bill Owens recently joined one Democratic and two Republican colleagues to create the bipartisan Congressional Aluminum Caucus.

Owens, D-Plattsburgh, represents the northern tier of the state.

The caucus will highlight the needs of the growing aluminum industry, which creates jobs in northern New York, according to Owens.

“The Congressional Aluminum Caucus will allow me to direct congress’s attention to the needs of my constituents in Massena and across New York who rely on the aluminum industry to make a living,” Owens said. “This industry is one of the region’s largest employers. My fellow co-chairs of the aluminum caucus and I look forward to making sure aluminum issues get the attention they deserve so this sector of our local economy continues growing and creating jobs.”

Earlier this month, Congressman Owens participated in a ground-breaking ceremony at Alcoa’s East Plant. The company began a $600 million expansion and modernization project that will protect approximately 1,000 local jobs and indirectly support local construction jobs, according to Owens.

The other members of the caucus include Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).