The Daily News Online reported that at Skyline Steel's new plant at the Port of Longview, the six tonne steel rolls dwarf the workers who weld them in place for some of the largest construction projects in the country.

At a grand opening celebration, local officials touted the Skyline plant as the possible foundation of economic recovery for an area still struggling with double digit unemployment rates.

Governor Mr Chris Gregoire said that "Those are jobs that will help families. Those are jobs that will help economic development at large."

Last fall, Skyline signed a lease to build its 156,000 square foot facility on about 15 acres, retaining an additional 20 acres for a possible expansion. The USD 9 million plant was built with mostly union labor on land that was once part of the Long Bell Lumber mill, Longview's economic backbone when the city was formed in 1923.

Mr Ken O'Hollaren port director said that "This is an example of redevelopment for economic development."

Port officials said that Skyline will bring in about USD 100,000 annually to local governments in property tax revenue and about USD 400,000 annually to the port for lease payments. The company has hired 43 workers, mostly from the Cowlitz County area, and plans to employ about 65 when it hits full capacity.

Skyline, based in New Jersey, is wholly owned by ArcelorMittal, headquartered in Luxembourg and the world's largest steel manufacturer. The Longview site will be Skyline's main production facility for the western part of North America.

The Longview plant produces rolled and welded pipe, spiral weld pipe and threaded bar, the rebar used in the construction industry for large projects involving concrete.

(Sourced from www.tdn.com)