2008 Woodie Awards
ThyssenKrupp steel mill a viable economy booster
STAFF EDITORIAL
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
MOBILE COUNTY IS currently a finalist for a $2.9 billion ThyssenKrupp steel plant that would generate 29,000 construction jobs, 2,700 full-time jobs and 38,000 to 52,000 jobs indirectly over the next 20 years.
If Alabama were chosen for the project, the ThyssenKrupp mill would greatly boost the local economy. "The steel mill would be the largest economic development project in America," Rep. Jo Bonner said in an interview with The Vanguard last month. "That's mind-boggling."
The German company is also considering a site in Louisiana for the steel mill, but according to various news outlets, Louisiana's final offer to the company fell below the steelmaker's expectations.
Economic Development Secretary Mike Olivier in Louisiana said he doubted Alabama would fulfill the steelmaker's demands, either. But Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office, said the state's talks with ThyssenKrupp were going well. No specifics have been released about the negotiations, though.
Both Alabama and Louisiana's offers are being reviewed, according to ThyssenKrupp officials, and a decision is expected in May.
According to Press-Register reports, ThyssenKrupp will utilize the Gulf Coast site to process steel slabs imported from Brazil, where the company is building a $2 billion factory that will be producing crude steel by 2009.
A project of this size, while it would require some sacrifice on the part of the state of Alabama, could bring immeasurable benefit to both the city of Mobile and the state as a whole, and The Vanguard's editorial board hopes Alabama remains in the running for the valuable economic project.
If Alabama were chosen for the project, the ThyssenKrupp mill would greatly boost the local economy. "The steel mill would be the largest economic development project in America," Rep. Jo Bonner said in an interview with The Vanguard last month. "That's mind-boggling."
The German company is also considering a site in Louisiana for the steel mill, but according to various news outlets, Louisiana's final offer to the company fell below the steelmaker's expectations.
Economic Development Secretary Mike Olivier in Louisiana said he doubted Alabama would fulfill the steelmaker's demands, either. But Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office, said the state's talks with ThyssenKrupp were going well. No specifics have been released about the negotiations, though.
Both Alabama and Louisiana's offers are being reviewed, according to ThyssenKrupp officials, and a decision is expected in May.
According to Press-Register reports, ThyssenKrupp will utilize the Gulf Coast site to process steel slabs imported from Brazil, where the company is building a $2 billion factory that will be producing crude steel by 2009.
A project of this size, while it would require some sacrifice on the part of the state of Alabama, could bring immeasurable benefit to both the city of Mobile and the state as a whole, and The Vanguard's editorial board hopes Alabama remains in the running for the valuable economic project.
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