The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mayor: Republic Steel ponders restart
Company seeks workers through JobsOhio
Republic Steel could fire up production at its Lorain steel mill, Mayor Jack Bradley said.
On May 3, Bradley reported to Lorain City Council about his conversations with that company’s representative.
Over a number of months, a senior executive vice president has stated Republic Steel is committed to restarting the rolling mills at its plant in South Lorain in the near future, the mayor said.
The company is taking steps to accomplish that and has worked to find employees, he said.
The city is working with JobsOhio, the state level economic development corporation, regarding a $500,000 grant to restart the Lorain plant.
“So, I think that’s good news and something that I’m happy to share with our Lorain City Council,” Bradley said.
“I just want to commend and thank the mayor and the administration for pushing this through,” said Councilman Rey Carrion.
“Keeping that dialogue open, even when at times it didn’t seem as bright as it could be, but just to continue to have those conversations to show them that Lorain is committed and willing to support their efforts,” said Carrion.
He represents Ward 6 in South Lorain, which includes the steel mill.
Council President Joel Arredondo noted the entire city of Lorain would benefit from the production.
Ward 5 Councilwoman JoAnne Moon, whose ward also includes part of South Lorain, also praised the possibility of adding jobs.
Councilman-at-Large Mitch Fallis suggested a city resolution showing support for the company’s state grant application.
Republic Steel will get the money if the company can guarantee it will stay open for two years and provide 125 jobs, Bradley said.
Staff at Republic Steel and leaders of the Lorainbased United Steel Workers Local 1104 were not present during the meeting; they could not be reached for comment May 4.
Based in Canton, Republic Steel specializes in special bar quality, of SBQ, steel used in axles, drive shafts, suspension rods and other critical components of automobiles, offhighway vehicles and industrial equipment, according to the company.
In January 2019, the company announced it anticipated starting production on its Lorain 9- and 10-inch rolling mill in the second quarter of that year.
The company’s website did not indicate an exact level of employment or production at the Lorain steel mill for 2020 or 2021.