Open letters have been sent to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff in a bid to secure a power deal for Bell Bay Aluminium.
As more businesses begin to suffer as the future of the smelter remains uncertain, Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said the "flow on affect" was hurting people far beyond George Town where the smelter was located.
"Fifty per cent of the workforce (at Bell Bay Aluminium) came from Launceston," he said.
"I went into a local business on my way here today and their business, in screen printing, is directly affected by the uncertainties around Bell Bay.
"They are down this month. We think of distribution as those who are bringing in or transporting (goods) but it directly flows into local businesses."
Supported by a broad coalition of Northern Tasmanian organisations, chief executive of Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone Susie Bower said the letter highlighted the "critical importance" of the smelter to the state's economy, jobs, manufacturing capability and regional communities.
Signatories gathered at Bell Bay on Monday, August 24, to speak to the media about why securing a long-term energy agreement for the smelter mattered not only to Bell Bay Aluminium, but to businesses, workers, families and and communities.
Last week, Tasmanian Labor leader Josh Willie said 1200 northern employees and their families are relying on Bell Bay Aluminium to stay alive and continue to provide jobs for the local economy.
One of those people was Hicksy's Hardware owner Paul Hicks, who said his business supplied a significant amount of materials to Bell Bay Aluminium.
"We probably go there two to three times a week," he said.
Since losing Liberty Bell Bay, Mr Hicks said people had lost "a little bit of confidence" and said without a secured power deal, the future of his business would remain uncertain.
"Without Rio Tinto people are going to be worried about selling or buying, they're going to keep their money to themselves," he said.
"We want to make this place bigger and want to put a whole new shed up but we have put the brakes on, because we are uncertain how it's all going to finish up.
"I'd love to see a 10 year power contract, it gives confidence within the town and people all around the state."
In the weeks before, another northern business said they would have to sack 45 workers if the state government fails to reach a power deal with major employer Bell Bay Aluminium.
Mr Willie said it would be "catastrophic" if the Tasmanian government is unable to reach a power agreement with Rio Tinto's Bell Bay Aluminium (BBA).
The smelter's previous 10-year contract expired in 2025 before a new 12-month contract was reached in December.
That deal will expire in December 2026 and as of August the state and the smelter have been unable to agree of on a final price.
Energy Minister Nick Duigan said a $60 million annual price gap is stalling negotiations, costing $600 million over 10 years.
Deputy Labor leader Janie Finlay said Bell Bay Aluminium paid more than $200 million a year in state fees and charges, generates $1 billion in economic output and $262 million for local business supply chains.
Mr Willie said Kempe Engineering was one example of a successful local business that will be affected if Bell Bay Aluminium follows the same fate as Liberty Bell Bay.
Kempe Engineering worker Roger Aalbregt said securing a power contract was not only important for the future of Bell Bay Aluminium but for his workplace too.
"Should Bell Bay (Aluminium) shut tomorrow, we would put off 45 people. That's 45 people who won't have a job," Mr Aalbregt said.
"But it's not just about jobs, it's about upskilling young people. How do we train them in the skills manufacturing workforce if we don't have the support and companies behind us."
Mr Aalbregt said Kempe Engineering provided significant support to Bell Bay Aluminium including manual labour and repairs to a number of structures.
"Ninety per cent of the work at our workshop is attributed to work from Rio Tinto," he said.
"We supplied to Liberty Bell Bay, they were a big part of our business, I did my apprenticeship there 40 years ago," he said.
Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the government was in talks with Bell Bay Aluminium about securing a power deal, however the state needed support from the federal government.
"Those negotiations are ongoing. What we do need is some support from the federal government as well," Mrs Archer said.
"We have seen, in the recent days, support to other smelters around the country. We are playing our part here and we will continue to have those discussions."
However, Mr Willie said the government wasn't treating the situation with the "urgency it deserves", especially after the loss of Liberty Bell Bay.
"We cannot afford to lose Bell Bay Aluminium as well," he said.
"The federal government has a role to play, but Tasmania has to act first. That means securing a power deal with Bell Bay Aluminium and taking a clear ask to Canberra."