Staff Reports
A Mississippi-based steel producer and recycler has decided against setting up shop in Orleans County.
Representatives from Steel Development Co., which was attempting to build and operate a steel recycling and manufacturing facility known as a “micromill” in Orleans County, told state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Tuesday that they are no longer looking to do business in New York.
“First Wacker Chemie. Then Google. Now Steel Development Co. These major corporations — all of which have been trying to set up operations in Western New York — invest hundreds of millions: the New York Power Authority,” Maziarz said.
“Once again, the Power Authority has let us down in a big way,” said Maziarz, a member of the Senate Energy Committee.
“NYPA just doesn’t get it. When a major employer comes knocking at your door and wants to be in New York, they should be rolling out the red carpet,” he said. “Instead, these companies have gotten the run-around, they’ve been strung along, and ultimately they’ve all been forced to walk away empty-handed. That’s a tremendous embarrassment and disservice to the people of our state.”
Steel Development Co., with headquarters in Mississippi, would have produced rebar for the construction industry. However, the company, reportedly dissatisfied with NYPA’s attempts to provide a sufficient low-cost hydropower incentive, abandoned its plans to locate in Western New York.
It is estimated that the project would have resulted in $200 million in investment, 1,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs.
