The addition of U.S. Steel's new mill will make a northeast Arkansas county an hour north of Memphis the largest steel-producing county in the U.S. 900 new jobs created earning on average 100k/year. BNSF is involved in serving it.
United States Steel Corporation Breaks Ground on the Most Technologically Advanced Steel Mill in North America - www.ussteel.com
Arkansas seems to be doing things right. JB Hunt, Tyson, Walmart and now this.
BNSF should put a team on it. Marketing, Operations, and Finance to maximize their participation. If the unions are willing, get them involved.
Thx for commenting greyhounds. I was going to ask if you'd chime in with ideas for rail transport.
This seems lke one of those things that proves.." Whats old is new again, things..."
That little area in N.E. Arkansas has been somewhat of an industrial incubator since late 1980's... It is very flat and supported mostly cotton and bean production since the Cvil War(?).
It is mostly adjacent to the Mississippi River and has been a railroad branch line througgh that area (1st was SL-SF and then BN and BNSF)....Frm E Missouri to connection at West Memphis Ar.
Nu Cor Steel put a small 'mill' (for beams(?), about 1977 just east of Osceola, on the river. And there was the old 'bomber' [Eaker] base at Blytheville. Out by the river there were some industries. ( fertilizer, IIRC).
Mostly, agricultural land (cheap to buy, ? for manufacturing? ) It is nice to see that it is growing in 'use'...
There's a saying worth remembering:
"Business goes where it's made most welcome."
Arkansas and Tennessee have been booming since as long as I can remember. Their central location, geography, and proximity to major consumer markets makes those states an obvious choice for industrial growth. I've never been stuck for freight in either state.
It doesn't hurt that they are "right-to-work" (anti-union) states.
Steel doesn't travel well. I just read a book named Big Steel about the history of USS. That's why they built the Gary Works. Industry was moving west and shipping costs from Pittsburgh were killing profit margins once "Pittsburgh Plus" was abandoned. It's amazing how much laws have changed. One hundred years ago, collusion and price fixing were legal and commonplace.
BackshopSteel doesn't travel well. I just read a book named Big Steel about the history of USS. That's why they built the Gary Works. Industry was moving west and shipping costs from Pittsburgh were killing profit margins once "Pittsburgh Plus" was abandoned. It's amazing how much laws have changed. One hundred years ago, collusion and price fixing were legal and commonplace.
And when we say 100 years ago - we are only talking about the 1920's.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
GrampThe addition of U.S. Steel's new mill will make a northeast Arkansas county an hour north of Memphis the largest steel-producing county in the U.S.
Which county is it?
timzWill it actually produce more steel than any other county? Or will much of its "production" just be processing of existing steel?
Interesting question. Cam watchers at Deshler regularly see steel slabs from Dearborn headed down to Middletown for further processing, and coil steel coming back north.
OTOH, a regular train through Deshler is the "taco" (taconite ore), also headed to Middletown.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
CSSHEGEWISCHIt doesn't hurt that they are "right-to-work" (anti-union) states.
For now. When you treat employees as indentured servants or slaves, things happen.
It may become the largest county, but that's because northwest Indiana is made up of three counties. No way is it as large as the Indiana Harbor, Gary and Burns Harbor mills.
timzWill it actually produce more steel than any other county? Or will much of its "production" just be processing of existing steel? Which county is it?
It's Mississippi County, Arkansas.
It really doesn't mater if it is the largest steel producing county. The press release says the facility will have a production capacity of 3,000,000 tons/year. That's a whole lot of steel to haul. Something like 30,000/ 100 ton loads per year.
My understanding is that this facility will not produce virgin steel. It will recycle scrap into "new steel". That means there will be scrap loads in as well as the steel loads out. If they ship 100 tons out they're going to need 100 tons inbound. That means even more revenue loads for the freight carriers.
Of course not all this will move by rail. USS is locating on the Mississippi River so they can use barge transport in and out. That's a wise move on their part. And there will always be truckers looking for loads.
So BNSF cannot just sit back and wait for the freight to come to them. Plan it out now as best they can to maximize results. And for the Love of God stay flexible. Things will continually change. Just try to stay with it.
A thought. Was this area affected by the 1812 New Madrid earth quake?
BaltACDAnd when we say 100 years ago - we are only talking about the 1920's.
Scary, isn't it?
Flintlock76 BaltACD And when we say 100 years ago - we are only talking about the 1920's. Scary, isn't it?
BaltACD And when we say 100 years ago - we are only talking about the 1920's.
When I was a kid everyone remembered the 1920's...clearly. Except us kids, of course.
I remember watching this program on "What's My Line?" when I was in grade school:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RPoymt3Jx4
I also recall seeing veterans of the Spanish-American War in our Memorial Day Parade in 1966.
This county already has several steel companies. This new plant will be next to Big River Steel.
This part of Arkansas has been promoting the nickname of Steel Mill Heaven.
Here's an interesting article on Arkansas's steel industries:
https://www.arkansasedc.com/news-events/arkansas-inc-blog/post/active-blogs/2017/09/25/how-arkansas-became-a-leader-in-the-steel-industry
York1 John
York1 This county already has several steel companies. This new plant will be next to Big River Steel. This part of Arkansas has been promoting the nickname of Steel Mill Heaven. Here's an interesting article on Arkansas's steel industries: https://www.arkansasedc.com/news-events/arkansas-inc-blog/post/active-blogs/2017/09/25/how-arkansas-became-a-leader-in-the-steel-industry
Big River Steel, built in 2014, was recently acquired by US Steel. It and the new mill will be capable of producing 6.6 mil. tons. Then there're the Nucor mills nearby.
Pittsburgh wasn't even "Pittsburgh" for the last 50 or so years.
blue streak 1 A thought. Was this area affected by the 1812 New Madrid earth quake?
I'm sure it was. The sediment which makes up the Delta would become plastic in an earthquake. I was involved with construction of a warehouse in Memphis, and the foundation and the building itself had to meet special standards because of its location. Learned new stuff during that project.
Do any of the mills in that area take taconite or are they all scrap metal processors?
kgbw49 Do any of the mills in that area take taconite or are they all scrap metal processors?
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