Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

Big River Steel CEO Hopes For Fall Groundbreaking

The developer behind a planned $1.1 billion steel mill in northeast Arkansas says he hopes to break ground on the project this fall if everything goes as planned. The Legislature still needs to approve $125 million in state financing for the proposed Big River Steel mill to be built near Osceola.

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- The developer behind a planned $1.1 billion steel mill in northeast Arkansas says he hopes to break ground on the project this fall if everything goes as planned.

The Legislature still needs to approve $125 million in state financing for the proposed Big River Steel mill to be built near Osceola.

Developer John Correnti spoke Tuesday with Mississippi County officials regarding the project. According to the Courier News (http://is.gd/D2Y4PH), Correnti says he hopes to have a construction and operating permit by the end of April. Correnti says he hopes to break ground between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

Officials say the mill will create more than 2,000 temporary construction jobs and more than 500 jobs once it's up and running.

The Legislature is expected to discuss the financing next week.

More in Operations