Centroplex News

Amid staggering economic woes, Rockdale has found a new way to make money: the town has adopted Bitcoin mining operations, and today has rows of machines that assist the town in trading and buying Bitcoins.

According to Governing.com, Rockdale became the place to go when consumers needed aluminum in 1952. The Aluminum Company of America – known as Alcoa – opened the country’s most comprehensive smelting service. But in 2008, Alcoa began shutting down in Rockdale, citing drastic issues with the power supply. The company also said the overall market conditions were not great for the industry.

Governing.com reports that by 2014, the Texas facility had ceased all production. Additionally, 450 workers were suddenly lad off when the town's power plant and the coal mine that provided the power plant with fuel were also shut down.

Today, investors are restoring the town’s prosperity by mining Bitcoins. However, many in the town don't understand exactly how the mining operation works.

According to Governing.com, at least two bitcoin mining operations have been set up in the town, including one inside the dormant Alcoa plant.

Tom Maldonado, who worked at the aluminum plant for 35 years, understands every perspective of the aluminum-making process. However, Bitcoin mining is quite new to him.

“I’ve tried to read about it, to figure it out,” Maldonado told Governing.com. “I really can’t grasp how it actually works.”