Philadelphia Business Journal reported that a division of Harsco Corporation is renegotiating a contract that will determine the fate of its local operations in Coatesville, where 77 are employed.

In a letter to the state's Bureau of Workforce Development Partnership, Harsco Metals said that its service contract with steel producer ArcelorMittal's Coatesville plant will expire at the end of the year. A new contract between Harsco and the steel plant is being negotiated and the company is hopeful an arrangement can be made.

However, the company told the state that if it is unsuccessful at getting a new contract servicing the steel mill, Harsco will permanently cease operations at the plant at 1002 S First Ave, beginning January 1st 2010. In that case, the employees would be terminated.

(Sourced from www.philadelphia.bizjournals.com)