Video: Steel Dynamics Announces Expansion, New Jobs In Columbus

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – One of the region’s highest-paying companies is adding 40 new jobs.

The governor and some other big names were in Lowndes County today to join in the announcement.

Steel Dynamics is the fifth largest steel maker in the country. When the Indiana-based company bought Severstal Steel in Lowndes County last year, local and state officials thought it might mean good things for the region. Those hopes became a reality when the company announced their plans for a $100 million dollar steel painting mill on its campus.
The new facility will allow the company to color its raw product, adding value for such things as steel roofs and appliances. The value-added production can produce 250,000 tons a year and the company says it already has customers looking for the product.

“So you don’t make steel in one place and ship it somewhere else to be painted and then shipped back to the customer, that can cause problems in terms of responsibilities,” said Vice-President and General Manager of Steel Dynamics Madhu Ranade.

The expansion project will add 40 new jobs that will pay an average of $80,000 dollars a year. In addition to the workforce opportunities, the project could attract related industries.

“So hopefully, people who manufacture portions of appliances, construction material, air condition materials will come bring their plants here because they’ll want to be close to the source to the manufacturer of the raw material, that’s what we’re working for into the future,” said Governor Phil Bryant.

Governor Bryant says the expansion continues to put the Golden Triangle and Mississippi on the map as a steel maker.

“They realize now Columbus, Mississippi is a major steel maker, 3.4 millions tons a year,” said Governor Bryant.

The company hopes to break ground this summer on the building. Of the $100 million dollar investment, about 60% is equipment and 40% is the building. Production could begin in early 2017.