Valley leaders forging unity on proposed mill

By Jeanne starmack

starmack@vindy.com

campbell

With everything from cautious optimism to a hope for the return of the good old days, area leaders are weighing in on a plan for a new steel mill.

Sherman International Corp., based in Pittsburgh, said earlier this week it intends to build a mill for cold-rolling coils on 40 acres of former Youngs-town Sheet and Tube land it owns in Campbell along the Mahoning River. That mill would employ 700 people, said Krishna Sharma, owner of Sherman International.

The plan depends on whether the company can get state Clean Ohio funds to assess the property for cleanup and the cleanup itself. On the company’s behalf, the city is applying for $300,000 for the assessment. It would then apply for $3 million for the cleanup of whatever chemicals and metals are found in the soil.

If its plan is successful, the company could eventually expand the mill onto 73 adjacent acres it owns in Youngstown. Campbell Mayor George Krinos said that if that happens, 3,500 jobs could be created.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said Youngstown “stands ready” to work with Campbell if the project moves forward.

He said the project would be “exceedingly complex,” from logistical and environmental issues to getting approval from federal and state regulators.

He also said he doesn’t know enough about the company’s financial capacity, investors or partners.

“But there’s a formula that works if you have the right players and pieces in place,” he said, saying that Youngstown and Girard worked together on the V&M Star expansion project and is now looking forward to the groundbreaking Monday for that company, which makes seamless steel tubes for the oil and gas industry.

Sherman International supplies new and refurbished equipment for steel mills and designs mills.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd, said he has been working with the company and said the state Department of Development will be looking into whether the company has the financial ability to pursue the project.

“Because when the property is clean, they’re going to want state and federal money,” he said.

“They approached me about getting Clean Ohio funds,” Schiavoni said, adding that for him at this point, it’s about bringing in the grants to clean up the property rather than seeing the money go to another area.

“It’s in a great location for future development whether it’s Sherman or someone else,” he said.

Struthers Mayor Terry Stocker said the mill would be a “great boost for the Valley.”

“Obviously there would be jobs available for everyone, like back in the old days,” he said.

Lowellville Mayor Jim Iudiciani also called it positive news. “It’s a great thing for the area,” he said. “I hope it goes through.”

Krinos said there are waterlines already in place at the property, though they may need updated to larger lines. He said the city is rebuilding a sanitary lift station there, and that the city’s water plant could easily accommodate the mill.

An access road near the property is being built this year, and a new bridge from Struthers to the access road is under construction. The bridge and road will allow trucks serving businesses in the corridor along the river easier access to Interstate 680.