It is reported that Putnam County Board decided at a special meeting to spend up to USD 15,000 on consultants and advisers regarding the ArcelorMittal steel mill in Hennepin.

Specifically, the consultants and advisors would report on the feasibility and means for Putnam County to encourage the redevelopment, revitalization and rehabilitation of the steel mill.

The ordinance comes more than a year after ArcelorMittal officials announced the mill, which employed approximately 300 people, would be closed.

Mr Duane Calbow chairman of the Board said that perhaps the board should have looked into this avenue earlier, but the hope was always that there was someone who was interested in buying the facility.

According to Mr Calbow, who also is the vice president of the United Steelworkers Local 7367, there is still some interest in the facility. This ordinance won’t deter any possible pending plans for the mill if someone is able to buy the facility, he said. Rather, it would provide answers as to whether the county can do anything to help in this situation.

He said that "It is protection of the people. It’s protection of the tax base. It’s protection of an asset. We have to see if there’s anything we can do. We at least need to look into every avenue. What you are talking about is a significant amount of money for a small county."

When asked if ArcelorMittal has any intent to sell the facility, Mr Calbow said there is still interest in the mill, but he doesn’t know to what extent ArcelorMittal is receptive to taking offers.

(Sourced from www.newstrib.com)