Baldwin County High School received a donation from Novelis for the school's new, first-of-it's-kind robotics team for the county.

Novelis is the leading producer of flat rolled aluminum products and the world's largest recycler of aluminum and is building a plant in Bay Minette at the former South Alabama MegaSite. It will create 1,000 jobs and, while it isn't expected to open until 2025, company leaders have promised community investment.

In that vein, representatives from Novelis donated $7,500 to the Baldwin County High School robotics team, according to Baldwin County Public Schools.

"Engineers at Novelis will mentor the students, work with them and assist with projects," a statement from the school district read. "The team will compete later this school year in Huntsville."

According to Chasity Riddick, communications coordinator for the district, while Baldwin County isn't the only high school in the country to offer a robotics program, it is the first in Baldwin County to have a FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team.

"Novelis is a corporate sponsor of FIRST, an international youth organization known for impressive robotics competitions across the country and the world," Riddick said. "The startup for a program like this can get quite pricey, but with Novelis' generous contribution of $7,500, the team is well on their way to making something that was once a dream, reality. The team already has interest from students with 20 team members signed up to participate."

The Novelis facility will have an initial 600 kilotons of finished aluminum goods capacity per year focused on the beverage container market, with flexibility for automotive and specialty production as well.

The event was attended by Novelis plant manager Tori Holt, Baldwin County High Principal Richard Paul, Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler, Secondary Assistant Superintendent Joe Sharp, Elementary Assistant Superintendent Renee Carter, community representatives and members of the robotics team.