You may soon be seeing smoke once again emerging from the stacks at Severstal Steel in Warren.
The plant has been idle for a year, but the Russian-owned steelmaker announced Monday its decision to restart its blast furnace, steel making and hot strip mill operations late in the first quarter.
"That's a lot of jobs," said Trumbull County Commissioner Paul Heltzel. "One of the single largest employers, a real plus, and if V&M comes, we've got some momentum."
Union leaders held a brief news conference Monday afternoon and said the exact number of employees returning to work and the date on which they return to the job is still under discussion.
"We are happy and the sooner the better," said Gary Steinbeck, United Steelmaker's representative.
Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Niles, also said he is thrilled by the news and that it will positively impact the region's economic health.
The news means that up to 1,000 people may soon be back to work. Severstal's reopening also means the mill will soon be pouring close to $2 million into the city's coffers.
Mayor Michael O'Brien said the mill pays about $1.8 million per year for water and close to $500,000 annually in income tax.
"They were closed and idled in 2009," said O'Brien. "This is great news for the Warren community."
The company idled last year because of slumping market demand, but executives say while the market still remains fragile, it's committed to its North American operations.
