Girard, Youngstown officials meeting on V&M Star project

YOUNGSTOWN — Needing a fast resolution to a potential border fight that could kill a potential $970 million V&M Star Steel project, the mayors of Youngstown and Girard along with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and others are now meeting privately working to settle the dispute.

Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Thomas Humphries, the head of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, are talking to officials with the two cities at the chamber’s office in downtown Youngstown, said Jason Whitehead, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams’ chief of staff.

V&M Star President Roger Lindgren was invited to the meeting. But Whitehead wasn’t sure if Lindgren is in attendance.

Girard Mayor James Melfi is refusing to have about 80 acres in his city, bought by Youngstown for the potential V&M expansion project, removed from his city through a “boundary-line adjustment” or annexation or any other means.

Without that land in Youngstown, V&M will cancel the proposed project, according to Youngstown officials.

V&M officials have declined to comment on this issue.

Girard City Council members, who’ll make the final decision on a property transfer for that city, are expected to make a statement today about the issue. Several members of Girard council don’t oppose the property transfer if that is the only way V&M will move ahead with the expansion.

Ryan will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today at the Youngstown Business Incubator to make a statement and answer questions about the proposed project.

Girard Councilman Thomas Seidler II, D-2nd, told The Vindicator on Tuesday that council would have a statement on the V&M issue at Ryan’s press conference.

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