Liberty Steel to Continue Georgetown Steel Mill Operations

GAB News reported that Liberty Steel-Georgetown will continue to operate despite a decision by the City of Georgetown that it is in violation of a city ordinance.

Liberty said that they are surprised and disappointed with city’s sudden change of approach towards the mill. Liberty said “The city’s action is particularly surprising given the threat it imposes to Liberty’s employees who have shown such commitment and resilience through the uncertainty of the pandemic. It will continue to operate and will vigorously defend the status of the mill & will oppose efforts to redevelop the site for certain real estate interests. It had communications with the mayor’s office during the pandemic while care and maintenance was taking place inside the plant. But, since that time, there has been a change of mayor as Carol Jayroe defeated Brendon Barber in November.”

Liberty can appeal the Inglese opinion to the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.

Georgetown's director of planning and community development Mr Chris Inglese and other city leaders toured the mill recently to determine if the plant is in compliance with the Redevelopment District, REDD, Ordinance and Mr Inglese issued a letter to Liberty Steel leaders. The letter indicates the mill did not return to full operation by the deadline of February 1 that agreed to by both the city and Liberty Steel. He also noted the mill’s melt shop still has not restarted. He wrote “Right now, Liberty’s Peoria, Illinois plant is making billets, or blocks of steel, that are being transported to Georgetown to finish the job of turning the billets into wire rod. The amount of wire rod being made is far below what was coming from the mill pre-COVID.”

The agreement indicated if the mill was not producing steel by February 1, the property on which the mill sits would be rezoned to no longer allow manufacturing on the 50-acre site.

Liberty Steel to Continue Georgetown Steel Mill Operations

Strategic Research Institute

Related Stories