http://www.sologig.com/freelancers/fl_projectdetails.aspx?id=1001979

 

Sr. Construction Manager/DirectorCompany:Whitaker Technical

Hourly Rate:Negotiable

Location:Youngstown, Ohio

 

Description

A Premier E&C Company with offices across the US is seeking a Sr. Construction Manager/Director for an 18 month project at a large steel mill in their OH location. The company is going through some MAJOR growth in several business areas of their company so this is an expansion opening!

 

Requirements

Position requires past management of projects 500M+, industrial project experience, experience working with unions, project experience with subcontracting work rather than hiring direct staff, and steel experience is HIGHLY preferred.  Salary will be DOE.

 

____________________

 

The same job also appears to be posted at:

 

http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=76024014&WT.mc_n=FDJD

 

and at:

 

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=JRGCM&ff=21&APath=2.21.0.0.0&job_did=J8E0YN79DMGLFFWGZCF

 

After I posted that, I was satisfied that this referred to the planned Republic Special Metals plant in North Jackson which others found articles describing. Now, instead, I think it's this much larger development.....

 

http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/2008/11/28/NzMxNTM%3D/V%252526M_Steel_eyes_major_expansion_in_Youngstown.html

 

News Sunday, 07 Dec, 2008

 

V&M Steel eyes major expansion in Youngstown 

 

It is reported that V&M Star Steel is considering increasing its operations and has been in talks with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for months regarding an air permit application for new facilities.

 

Mr Roger Lindgren president of V&M Star said that it is in process of evaluating a site that straddles Girard and Youngstown for possible expansion of its melt shop and rolling mill operations.

 

V&M Star, which manufactures seamless steel tubes used mostly in the oil and gas industry, is based in what was formerly the site of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co’s Brier Hill Works. Located at 2669 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., it has about 450 employees.

 

......

But the Vindicator had the story first, it appears......

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/nov/27/vampm-steel-eyes-major-expansion-in-valley/

 

V&M steel eyes major expansion in Valley

 

Published:Thursday, November 27, 2008

 

V&M Star Expansion Application

Youngstown and Girard officials have been working with the company.

 

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

 

YOUNGSTOWN — V&M Star Steel is considering increasing its operations here and has been in talks with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for months regarding an air permit application for new facilities.

 

That’s according to documents submitted to the state agency and obtained through a public records request by The Vindicator.

 

Company spokesmen could not be reached to comment, but a press release from the company earlier this week quoting company President Roger Lindgren said V&M Star is in process of evaluating a site that straddles Girard and Youngstown for possible expansion of its melt shop and rolling mill operations.

 

The company is a division of Vallourec Mannesmann Holdings.

 

......

Here's a couple of articles from the Trib....

______________

 

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/514781.html?nav=5003

 

Board OKs tax credit for steel mill

Tribune Chronicle

POSTED: December 8, 2008

 

The creation of up to nearly 300 new jobs moved one step closer today as the state Department of Development approved a tax credit for V&M Star Steel.

 

V&M, which specializes in making seamless steel pipes for the energy industry, was approved for a 10-year, 75 percent tax credit beginning in 2010. Officials called the approval "another piece of the puzzle" that will help the steelmaker add about 1 million square feet of space to the mill that sits in Girard and Youngstown.

 

The addition would create 294 new direct jobs, about 200 indirect jobs and retain 465 jobs.

.......

____________________

 

Youngstown, Girard work to win V&M jobs

JEDZ would help facilitate steel mill’s expansion

 

By RAYMOND L. SMITH / Tribune Chronicle

POSTED: December 10, 2008

 

GIRARD - City leaders of Youngstown and Girard since last spring have been looking at ways to work together to convince owners V&M Star Steel to expand its operation on property that overlaps the two cities' boundaries.

 

"This is not only important to our cities but to the entire Mahoning Valley," Girard Mayor James Melfi said Tuesday. "This potentially will create nearly 300 jobs that pay between $40,000 and $60,000 each. In this economy, to obtain these kinds of jobs is something we should do everything we can to secure."

 

The company also would maintain the 450 jobs already in the area, according to the plans.

 

.......

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/517766.html?nav=5021

 

Growth of V&M closer to fruition

Youngstown agrees to buy property to help plant expand

 

Tribune Chronicle POSTED: February 11, 2009

 

YOUNGSTOWN - City Council agreed Monday to purchase property for a possible expansion by V&M Steel.

 

Documents for a permit needed by the state Environmental Protection Agency show some of the scope of the plans of the project, which includes several types of furnaces and the construction of cooling towers.

 

The EPA will hold a hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in City Council Chambers on the permit but already have granted a draft approval of their plans.

 

In a special meeting Monday, council also entered into an agreement for the company to reimburse the city $5 million dollars for costs associated with cleanup and other development aspects for the sites.

 

The documents show that V&M wants to upgrade its furnaces to produce 1.4 million tons of liquid steel with the upgrade. The company received a permit in September to raise its upgrade then from 710,000 tons to 830,000 tons, the documents show.

 

.....

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/mar/27/rail-funds-boost-vampm-outlook/

 

Rail funds boost V&M outlook

Friday, March 27, 2009

By Marc Kovac

 

COLUMBUS — Officials are hopeful that $20 million in federal stimulus funding will help solidify V&M Star Steel’s decision to expand at a site straddling Youngstown and Girard.

 

“At this point, this project is not [guaranteed],” Girard Mayor James Melfi said Thursday. “These [funds] are very important pieces of the puzzle so that the company realizes that this is a great place to expand, [and] that local, state and the federal governments are willing to do whatever it takes to make that a reality.”

 

State officials announced Thursday that the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 4 office will receive $20 million to relocate rail lines near V&M’s existing property. The project will provide space for the company’s proposed expansion while maintaining rail access to the area.

 

 

.............

Missed this one.....

_____________

 

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/apr/27/youngstown-buys-property-to-help-vampm-star/?newswatch

 

Youngstown buys property to help V&M Star Steel expansion project

Monday, April 27, 2009 @ 2:35 p.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — Though a potential major project by V&M Star Steel is far from certain, the city’s board of control today signed a contract to purchase about $5 million worth of property needed by the company for the possible expansion.

 

V&M should sign the deal shortly, said city Finance Director David Bozanich, a board of control member.

 

.........

Why would a manufacturer want to locate or expand steel facilities in Youngstown? Because it's one of the few cities in the U.S. which would welcome a steel mill without a NIMBY backlash. In fact, the opposite is happening....

 

http://media3.vindy.com/img/photos/2009/08/25/08262009a3vm_t620.jpg

SUPPORTING V&M: A small group of Mahoning County Democrats, most of them high school and college age, stood outside 20 Federal Place in downtown Youngstown in support of a tentative deal reached by Youngstown and Girard officials to help bring a potential $970 million expansion project by V&M Star Steel to the area.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/aug/26/land-swap-tax-profits-at-play-in-vampm-deal/

 

Land swap, tax profits at play in V&M deal

Published: Wed, August 26, 2009 @ 12:10 a.m.

 

Youngstown and Girard need to decide how income tax will be distributed.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown and Girard officials aren’t providing specifics of a tentative deal reached to help attract a potential $970 million V&M Star Steel expansion to the area.

 

 

........

A billion dollar expansion?  Holly crap.  Good luck guys

News from local media reports that the site for the proposed V&M Star Steel expansion should be ready for construction by the second quarter of 2010. V&M officials said they are satisfied with the progress made thus far between Youngstown and Girard city leaders regarding making the site available.

 

Let's hope the progress continues. With 500 jobs, this is a huge project for the valley, and the biggest single growth in steel industry jobs locally since perhaps World War II.

 

 

Don't screw this up, Melfi!

 

No V&M deal: Melfi

Published: Tue, October 6, 2009 @ 12:05 a.m.

The Girard mayor said his city wont be rushed into an unsatisfactory deal.

 

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN Girard Mayor James Melfi said theres no progress and no deal in sight between his city and Youngstown over the transfer of 191 acres needed by V&M Star Steel for its potential $970 million project.

 

Until we get the language that is satisfactory to us, we wont sign a deal, he said. We wont get rushed. They arent going to push us into a corner.

 

A major obstacle to getting a deal done between the cities, Melfi said, is a provision to equally share a 2.75 percent corporate-profit tax from a proposed new V&M facility.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/oct/06/no-vampm-deal-melfi/

Oh, and the clock is ticking. The "infrastructure work" referred to earlier is the relocation of a rail line to accommodate the steel mill expansion.....

 

Mayor Vows to Protect V&M Stimulus Funds

Oct. 6, 2009 6:10 a.m.

By George Nelson

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city will not allow federal stimulus money allocated for assisting V&M Star Steel’s potential expansion to be jeopardized “in any way, shape or form,” vows Mayor Jay Williams.

 

The mayor spoke Monday afternoon with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17 Ohio, regarding the money allocated for transportation infrastructure improvements at the site of the proposed expansion of V&M’s pipe and tube operations. The site, which sits in Youngstown and Girard, is one among several the company is considering for the estimated $970 million project.

 

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14779&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Sounds like Melfi is off in his own world. As long as he doesn't take the steel mill expansion with him...

 

 

Girard's Melfi Telling It Like It Is?

Council President Says V&M Deal Near

Oct. 7, 2009 6:24 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The president of Girard City Council believes his city and Youngstown are much closer to a deal than Girard’s mayor is portraying to the public -- and there likely are enough votes for council to approve such a deal without James Melfi's endorsement.

 

Negotiators for the cities have what Girard Council President Reynald Paolone described as “a big meeting” tonight as they attempt to hammer out a deal for Youngstown to annex 191 acres of land now in Girard for an expansion project being contemplated by V&M Star Steel. “From what I understand, we’re very, very close,” Paolone said.

 

 

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14785&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Looks like they came to an agreement after all. 

 

Tribune Chronicle

Cities reach V&M land agreement

 

YOUNGSTOWN - The city and Girard have reached an agreement on transfering land from Girard for the V&M Star Steel expansion project.

 

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/528240.html

Damn, you beat me by seven minutes....

 

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14797&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

 

 

V&M Deal Done in Late Night Talks;

Cities to Ratify Agreement Next Week

Oct. 8, 2009 6:10 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A final agreement has been reached between Youngstown and Girard on the transfer of 191 acres of land needed for a $970 million expansion being considered by V&M Star Steel. The deal, reached during a nearly six-hour meeting that broke up just before midnight, provides for Girard to transfer 191 acres of its land to the city of Youngstown.

 

Mayor Jay Williams and Walt Good, chamber vice president for economic development, confirmed the agreement means all issues have been resolved; a signing ceremony is tentatively set for Wednesday.

Officials React With Relief to V&M Deal

Oct. 9, 2009 6:48 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Now that the last legal hurdles are all but cleared, local officials hope to begin work on a potential site for V&M Star Steel’s proposed expansion in time to beat the weather.

 

Area leaders were in good spirits Thursday, the day after Youngstown and Girard officials reached a long-awaited agreement to redraw property lines to attach land now part of Girard to Youngstown and share tax revenues generated by the project. The border adjustment had been requested by V&M, which is considering property adjacent to its Youngstown mill for a $970 million expansion.

 

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14807&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14836&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

 

Youngstown Approves V&M Land Deal;

Signing Ceremony Set for This Morning

 

Oct. 14, 2009 6:48 a.m.

By Dan OBrien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio When officials gather this morning to sign a cooperative agreement between the cities of Girard and Youngstown, theyll be sending a message to the rest of the country that the Mahoning Valley is fertile planting ground for business and economic development, Jay Williams says.

 

It sets a new precedent for economic development in the Mahoning Valley, said the mayor of Youngstown as the citys Board of Control approved a 13-page agreement that could pave the way for hundreds of jobs and nearly $1 billion of new investment.

Great news for Youngstown!

Breaking News:

Williams to Meet Monday With V&M Executives at Paris Headquarters

Oct. 30, 2009 4:02 p.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Mayor Jay Williams will make the Mahoning Valley’s case for V&M Star Steel’s proposed expansion directly to company officials in Paris on Monday.

 

Williams, who is in Germany participating in an economic forum, has a meeting scheduled Monday with the CEO and the chief operating officer of V&M’s parent company at its headquarters.

 

The timing of his Germany trip “just happened to work out,” he said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14966&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Williams Makes Case Today to V&M Execs

Nov. 2, 2009 6:30 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Mayor Jay Williams is meeting today in Paris with key executives of Vallourec & Mannesmann Holding Inc., the corporate parent of V&M Star Steel, which is expected to decide during the next three months whether it will move forward with a $970 million expansion in the Mahoning Valley. Today’s meeting was first reported Friday by BusinessJournalDaily.com.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=14969&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Council Approves Border Adjustment

Nov. 6, 2009 4:19 p.m.

By Jeremy Lydic

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- After months of negotiations, heated debate and finally an agreement between the cities of Girard and Youngstown, the ball is in V&M Star Steel’s court.

 

After approving an adjustment of the two cities’ borders at a special meeting this afternoon, City Council members say they have done everything they can to court V&M’s proposed $970 million expansion project. In October, Girard city council approved the agreement to cede 191 acres of industrial land to Youngstown.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15019&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Council Approves Border Adjustment

Nov. 6, 2009 4:19 p.m.

By Jeremy Lydic

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- After months of negotiations, heated debate and finally an agreement between the cities of Girard and Youngstown, the ball is in V&M Star Steel’s court.

 

After approving an adjustment of the two cities’ borders at a special meeting this afternoon, City Council members say they have done everything they can to court V&M’s proposed $970 million expansion project. In October, Girard city council approved the agreement to cede 191 acres of industrial land to Youngstown.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15019&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

From the Youngstown Vindicator:

 

Youngstown gets state money to raze old Sheet & Tube office building

 

YOUNGSTOWN — In another step to secure the V&M Star expansion, the city has been approved for a $630,000 state grant to demolish the former Youngstown Sheet & Tube office building on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

 

The dilapidated structure, which has been vacant for 35 years, will be torn down, and the area will be used as green space, said T. Sharon Woodberry, city economic development director.

 

The demolition is important because V&M officials want the area around their Youngstown mill cleaned up, she said today.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/20/youngstown-gets-state-money-raze-old-sheet-tube-of/?newswatch

 

Exxon Deal Signals Strong Market for Pipe;

Bodes Well for V&M Project, Official Says

Dec. 15, 2009 6:57 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Exxon Mobil Corp.’s plan to buy XTO Energy Inc. bodes well for the U.S. steel pipe market and, by extension, prospects for V&M Star Steel’s proposed local expansion, said city Finance Director David Bozanich.

 

The $41 billion deal, announced Monday, shows that big oil companies like Exxon -- or at least their scientists and economists -- recognize that natural gas is going to be a big component of future energy use, and V&M’s proposed mill “is being built to supply a lot of natural gas pipe,” Bozanich said.

 

V&M has been moving toward a $970 million expansion near its existing Brier Hill site, although the company has yet to announce whether they are going ahead with the project. One of the factors company officials are weighting are the conditions in the steel pipe market.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15283&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

City board OKs land purchase for V&M deal

Tue, December 15, 2009 @ 12:05 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN — V&M Star Steel hasn’t announced Youngstown as the site of a $970 million expansion, but city officials continue to take steps as if the project is coming here.

 

The city’s board of control on Monday agreed to purchase 15 to 20 acres from the state for $10 with the land used to relocate a Norfolk Southern Railroad line.

 

The line is being moved so V&M can use the railroad property for a potential expansion. The land purchased by the city used to be part of the former Youngstown Sheet and Tube location near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/dec/15/city-board-oks-land-purchase-for-vampm-deal/?newswatch

Council OKs Purchase of Rail Line for V&M

Dec. 17, 2009 6:48 a.m.

By Dan O’Brien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Just when you thought all the land the city needs for the proposed expansion of V&M Star’s operation on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was secure, another parcel pops up.

 

City Council Wednesday gave the go-ahead to spend $805,000 to buy 60 acres owned by the Geneva and Wyoming Railroad so the company could re-route the rail to support its proposed operations there.

 

V&M is considering spending $970 million to construct a new plant at the site, which could bring 400 new manufacturing jobs and hundreds of construction jobs to the Mahoning Valley.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15303&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

One more from today......

 

Port Authority Wants to Loan Tools to V&M

Dec. 17, 2009 7:02 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The Western Reserve Port Authority could serve as V&M Star Steel’s landlord for its proposed &970 million expansion in Youngstown, the port authority’s new executive director said Wednesday.

 

“One of the things the port authority can do is actually own the project“ and lease the building back to V&M, Rose DeLeon said following the port authority’s monthly meeting.

 

DeLeon, who started her new position with the port authority Dec. 7, said the port authority has a number of tools it could use to assist the project, including its ability to issue industrial revenue bonds and provide tax increment financing.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15304&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Steel-import tariffs forge optimism for $1B V&M expansion

Published: Thu, December 31, 2009 @ 12:01 a.m.

By William K. Alcorn

 

‘China has been dumping products in the United States for years,’ a legislator said.

 

The federal government is poised to impose new tariffs on steel pipe imported from China, which U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan says will clear the way for V&M Star Steel to make a decision on its planned billion-dollar expansion in Youngstown.

 

The U.S. International Trade Commission voted Wednesday to impose duties of between 10.36 percent and 15.78 percent on pipes used mostly in the oil and gas industries. President Obama still has to approve the ITC decision and determine the exact level of the tariff, Ryan said during a press conference Wednesday at the Youngstown Business Incubator.

 

The ITC decision resulted from a case filed by domestic producers, including V&M Star Steel and Wheatland Tube, which has several plants in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, and by the United Steelworkers of American union.

 

“V&M has consistently said it would wait for this ruling before making a decision on its expansion,” said Ryan.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/dec/31/steel-import-tariffs-forge-optimism-for-1b/

V&M's decision is expected within 60 days....

 

Work Advances at Proposed V&M Site

Jan. 22, 2010 6:41 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city could have approval as early as next week to move forward on bids to relocate 50,000 feet of railroad track on the site where V&M Star Steel may build a proposed $970 million plant.

 

Plans for the work have to be approved by the Ohio Rail Development Commission then submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for their consent, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works for the city. Approval from FHA could come as early as next week, he said.

 

Once he receives the approval from FHA, Shasho said the city would advertise for bids on the rail relocation work as early as mid-February. “We’re going to advertise for four weeks so we don’t expect to have a contract until the middle of March,” he said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15521&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

The VM Star expansion is moving forward.

 

edit

 

I was trying to post the link provided by vindy.com to embed the video.  But, that wasn't working, so here is the vindy.com page:

http://www.vindy.com/videos/2010/feb/15/1156/

This is awesome news for the Youngstown area.  I had to read through but it is the same as the above news. 

 

Youngstown area to get 350 more jobs when new steel tube plant opensBy Shaheen Samavati, The Plain Dealer February 15, 2010, 8:24PM

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Vallourec SA, a large European steel company, said Monday that it plans to invest $650 million into its Youngstown operation, bringing 350 high-paying manufacturing jobs to the city.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/02/youngstown_area_to_get_350_mor.html

YAY!!!

 

I almost missed this news. I think this is absolutely tremendous and will do wonders to help boost morale in the region -- maybe for the first time in more than 30 years. Ironically, there are actually more people employed in the Youngstown-Warren area today than there were before the steel industry collapsed three decades ago (205,000 employed in 1970; 262,600 employed in 2000). But the new jobs don't pay nearly as well, and most new jobs are out in suburbia. But the V&M jobs are high-paying, located in the valley and could create more spin-off jobs in the area.

 

Great news! I'm very happy for Youngstown.

The Youngstown-Warren Business Journal had extensive coverage in their on-line edition this morning.....

 

V&M Exec: 'My Knees Are Shaking'

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/vm-exec-my-knees-are-shaking-p15715.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

 

'Big as It Gets,' Chamber Official Says

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/big-as-it-gets-chamber-official-says-p15718.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

 

Ryan: 'Watershed Event for Valley'

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/ryan-watershed-event-for-mahoning-valley-p15716.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Great news for the valley!

 

2007 pic of V&M:

 

Rendering of the new plant:

http://vindy.com/photos/2010/feb/15/24390/

 

Vindy coverage:

 

It will be the biggest industrial plant to be built in the Mahoning Valley since the General Motors assembly plant went up in Lordstown in the 1960s, said Walter Good of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

 

http://vindy.com/news/2010/feb/16/vampm-delivers-plant-350-jobssflb/

 

I think we can post the rendering. It's V&M's, not the Vindicator's....

 

The building with the blue roof is the new plant. If it doesn't look that big, it's because the other buildings nearby are big too. The new tube plant measures 1 million square feet.

This is a former administration building for the Brier Hill Works of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. The mill closed in 1979. Almost half of it, west of Division Street, was bought and modernized in 1982. That portion still stands today as the V&M Star mill.......

 

Ohio Funds Sheet & Tube Demolition

March 16, 2010 6:42 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- City Council is expected to approve an ordinance Thursday that allows the demolition of the former office building for Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.

 

The structure, located at 2679 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, needs to come down so the city can make aesthetic improvements to the entrance leading into V&M Star.

 

V&M announced last month that it intends to invest $650 million into its local operations and construct a new rolling mill. The expansion is to employ more than 400 construction workers and another 350 full-time employees.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/ohio-funds-sheet-tube-demolition-p15959.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

V&M Star To Obtain More Stimulus Money

March 31, 2010

 

Mahoning County commissioners are lending a hand to V&M Star's plans to expand in the Valley.

 

....Walt Good, of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, said the money will be used to cover some of V&M Star's construction costs and is in addition to another $20 million in stimulus money the state has already given to pay for site improvements near the plant.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/V-M-Star-To-Obtain-More-Stimulus-Money/6TYdJHA-q0yK3GqnO2DJtg.cspx

New Access Road Planned for V&M Site

April 21, 2010 6:40 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city’s Board of Control approved measures Tuesday that would allow for the construction of a new access road leading into the Brier Hill Industrial Park, where V&M Star plans to build its $650 million rolling mill.

 

The Board of Control gave the go-ahead for the city to enter into a professional services contract with MS Consultants not to exceed $261,186 for engineering design, construction administration and inspection services for the park’s south road.

 

Chuck Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works, said the new access road would replace the entrance leading into the former Brier Hill Slag site off Division Street.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/new-access-road-planned-for-vm-site-p16271.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Valley Foods, V&M Star Get More Help

May 7, 2010 7:02 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio City Council last evening approved legislation that could help a Valley Foods Inc. to expand and give help V&M Star more help with its massive construction project.

 

....Council also approved legislation designating the site of a proposed $650 million expansion of V&M Star as a Recovery Zone, allowing the city to potentially finance projects related to the expansion through the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds.

 

V&M Star would then reimburse the city through tax-increment financing or other means, officials said.

 

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/valley-foods-vm-star-get-more-help-p16409.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Development Magazine Features V&M

May 12, 2010 6:48 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The May edition of SITE Selection magazine calls attention to the Mahoning Valley's transformation to a community primed to attract national and international investment, says the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

 

The SITE Selection article focuses primarily on V&M Star's $650 million expansion but also highlights Patriot Special metals' $70 million expansion in North Jackson.

 

The piece quotes Roger Lindgren, recently retired V&M Star CEO.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/development-magazine-features-vm-p16443.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Obama blesses Youngstown mill

Its expansion is sign that stimulus worked, he says

Wednesday,  May 19, 2010 2:52 AM

By Joe Hallett

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

YOUNGSTOWN - President Barack Obama's motorcade sped past this city's infamous dead, the hulking rusted steel mills that once symbolized America's industrial might, to the gate of a French-owned company whose expansion of steel operations ironically underscores the boon and the bane of foreign competition.

 

While the Mahoning Valley has seen its once-thriving steel industry wilt under an offshore assault from places such as Brazil and China, V&M Star arrived here from Europe in 2002, taking over the century-old mill property of a struggling American company and turning it into North America's top producer of seamless pipe for the oil and natural-gas industry.

 

Facing an audience of hard-hat workers, Obama used a planned $650million expansion of V&M's mill to make the case that his policies pulled the economy from the abyss and are beginning to create jobs.

 

V&M decided to expand in Youngstown, in part because the state committed $19 million of its share of federal stimulus money to build new roads and rail spurs to the plant.

 

Full story at: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2010/05/19/obama-blesses-youngstown-mill.html?sid=101

Bids Come in $5M High on V&M Rail Work

May 28, 2010 2:29 p.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The city likely will rebid railroad relocation and site work related to V&M Star's $650 million mill after bids came in substantially higher than its estimate.

 

Opened Friday afternoon, the four bids ranged from nearly $18.2 million to $18.4 million, more than $5 million above the city's estimate of $13 million.

 

Before determining what course of action to take, the city will review the bids, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works. It will also need to speak to V&M officials and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Shasho expressed surprise at the bids.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/bids-come-in-m-high-on-vm-rail-work-p16595.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

There is also a picture of the site for this massive, transformational steel plant...

 

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/todays-the-day-for-vm-to-break-ground-p16819.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

 

 

Today's the Day for V&M to Break Ground

June 28, 2010 7:02 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- On a recent visit to where V&M Star is moving forward on its long-awaited $650 million pipe mill, Walter Good watched as pilings were being driven down into the project site. That represented just a portion of the "significant activity" related to preparing for the foundation work for the massive project, which will have a ceremonial groundbreaking today.

 

"When you actually walk the site end to end, so to speak, it's very, very impressive," said Good, vice president of economic development, business retention and expansion for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Good said he began working on securing the project – the largest steel mill under construction in the U.S. -- about two years ago.

 

The mill is expected to employ 350 workers once completed, and construction of the building, which will be in excess of 1 million square feet, is expected to create another 400 temporary construction jobs.

I just moved a bunch of articles and other posts about V&M Star's expansion to this thread from this thread where news of lots of other smaller or pre-development steel-related expansions in the valley are posted (check it out sometime -- you may be surprised to learn that Youngstown is leading Ohio's economic recovery):

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6916.0.html

 

Also check out this page while you're at it:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8297.0.html

 

V&M Star's huge expansion is now a bonafide development project (actually it's been one since V&M announced it last winter). But I guess it really didn't hit me that it's really happening until the groundbreaking ceremony was held today.

 

A great day, one that I thought I would never see again in Youngstown. Brings a happy tear to my eye.

Video of the V&M groundbreaking speeches is at:

 

http://www.businessjournaldailybuzz.com/

 

Plus there's coverage of the Federal Building rehab, Butler Institute of Art's new art book, and more.

Now hiring....

 

http://www.businessjournaldailybuzz.com/

Girard Gets Payment for V&M Site Work

July 9, 2010 6:48 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The first money exchange resulting from the historic agreement between Youngstown and Girard that led to construction of V&M Star's new pipe mill was authorized Thursday in the form of a $200,000 payment to Girard for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system.

 

The $200,000 is half of the total $400,000 the city agreed to pay Girard for the upgrades as part of an agreement allowing Youngstown to annex property for the site of the $650 million project, Mayor Jay Williams said, The agreement also provides for the two cities to share tax revenues generated during construction and operation of the pipe mill, which is under construction next to V&M's existing Youngstown plant.

 

Girard officials submitted documentation that showed it has spent or awarded contracts totaling $241,000 to date for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades. "They have to quantify that they have done" the work, Finance Director David Bozanich said. Money for the upgrades is coming from Youngstown's wastewater fund.

 

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/girard-gets-payment-for-vm-site-work-p16902.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

V&M Repays City $6.4M for Land Expenses

July 23, 2010 7:49 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- V&M Star has reimbursed the city for expenses it incurred to acquire land needed for the company's new $650 million pipe mill.

 

Those expenses totaled more than $6.4 million, money the city borrowed through bonds and will now be repaid today with V&M's cash payment, said David Bozanich, city finance director. Last year, the city entered into a reimbursement agreement with V&M and agreed to serve as land acquisition agent on behalf of V&M. purchasing the various properties needed for the project.

 

V&M officially broke ground late last month on the new mill, which is expected to be in excess of one million square feet. At the groundbreaking, company officials said they plan the new mill to be operational within 18 months.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/vm-repays-city-m-for-land-expenses-p17018-1.htm

The company I just started with again in Houston was recently purchased by the parent company of V&M Star, Vallourec.  Great company, and they are very exited about Youngstown.

City to Rebid -- Again -- V&M Rail Work

Nov. 11, 2010 7:02 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city will again rebid rail relocation and site work tied into V&M Star's $650 million expansion, but city and company officials say the delay won't impact V&M's progress.

 

On Wednesday, the city Board of Control voted to reject six bids for the rail modernization project at the Brier Hill Industrial Park Phase II, the site of V&M's expansion. The bids ranged from $14.34 million, submitted by Atlas Railroad Construction Co. of Eighty Four, Pa., to $14.86 million, submitted by Independence Excavating of Independence.

 

In a document submitted to the board, Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works, recommended that the city exercise its right to reject the bids and re-advertise for proposals, following an analysis of the bids "and in conjunction with direction" by the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/city-to-rebid-again-vm-rail-work-p17912-1.htm

'Significant Progress' on V&M Mill Project

Dec. 17, 2010 6:48 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The foundation is taking shape, vehicle entrances are being built and manufacturing equipment is arriving at the construction site of V&M Star's $650 million steel mill under construction and staging sites at the Brier Hill junction of Youngstown and Girard.

 

The company reported "significant progress" on the construction project in a statement released Thursday.

 

That progress includes development and improvement of entry roads and ramps and the arrival of equipment that will eventually serve the new mill's mission of delivering specialty pipe to the marketplace, the company reported in a news release issued Thursday.

 

READ MORE AND SEE SITE PHOTO AT:

http://business-journal.com/significant-progress-on-vm-mill-project-p18172-1.htm