It is reported that there's a very interested buyer for one of the nation's most productive steel mills, but owner ArcelorMittal appears to be racing to demolish the 300 worker mill before public pressure for a sale to the prospective buyer becomes too intense.

As per report, the mill is one of two mills that steel industry giant ArcelorMittal has been fixated on reducing to rubble. In a parallel situation in Lackawanna, ArcelorMittal shut down and demolished a steel mill that had been consistently profitable.

In both cases, ArcelorMittal appears to be motivated by a desire to shrink capacity in the steel industry in order to raise prices.

As ArcelorMittal tries to stall Kingston's plans until the plant is destroyed, the union is continuing its battle, hoping it can buy enough time for the new owner to secure money to buy the plant.

Meanwhile, the USW local has been waging a ferocious struggle over the past months. It has enlisted the support of public officials ranging from Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin down to the local Republican state legislator.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's corporate accountability website also lists hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of large business development assistance and empowerment zone sales tax exemptions going to ArcelorMittal for facilities in Hennepin and south suburban Riverdale.

(Sourced from www.inthesetimes.com)