COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The governor is acknowledging that hope has faded for a Russian steelmaking company\'s plans for a $1 billion steel mill in southern Ohio.
Amanda Wurst, spokeswoman for Gov. Ted Strickland, said Thursday the state has not heard from Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works for some time.
The company\'s chairman toured a potential site in Haverhill in 2007 with Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.
The governor said last week that it was unlikely the company would proceed unless circumstances changed.
Wurst said other companies that she would not identify have looked at the site and the state is optimistic about the chances for economic development there.
A message was left Thursday with Magnitogorsk seeking comment.
The Ohio River site in Haverhill is 13 miles southeast of Portsmouth and nearly 100 miles south of Columbus.
