Alabama lures steelmaker

Steve Chiotakis | May 11, 2007

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German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp has chosen Alabama for a $ 3.7 (B) billion dollar steel mill. The company says it will be built in northern Mobile County, near Mount Vernon. Construction will begin soon and completion of the project is expected in 2010. Development officials say construction jobs could number in the tens of thousands over the years and, at full capacity, the plant is expected to employ about 2,700 workers.

ThyssenKrupp was looking at two locations in two southern states: one between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on the Mississippi River, and another — the site they chose — a 3,700 acre tract of land in South Alabama. The Alabama site, company officials say, is close to where automotive manufacturing plants are, and one source says that was instrumental in luring the plant.

Morning Edition host Steve Chiotakis spoke with WBHM’s Tanya Ott about the economic and developmental impacts of the announcement.