Rigby Releases Statement Following Multi-Level Leadership Group Meeting on U.S. Steel
HARRISBURG – Following a noontime gathering in his office with representatives from various levels of local, state and federal government, state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown) issued the following statement regarding the effort to convince United States Steel Corporation to expand and build its new mill in Johnstown:
“The group that gathered in my office today is an energized one. The federal, state and local levels of government in attendance, including both city and county officials, are highly interested in putting on a ‘full court press’ to convince U.S. Steel that they and the Johnstown area are a natural and logical fit.
“The steel industry has a storied history in our city, with the Cambria Iron Company, U.S. Steel’s forerunner, opening in 1852, becoming the nation's largest steel foundry by the 1870s and then building a new mill just east of the city in 1898. While the last plant closed in 1992, the memories of the glory days of steel remain alive thanks to the Johnstown Area Heritage Association’s Heritage Discovery Center and its Iron and Steel Gallery.
“While the city supplied the workers during the glory days of steel, the Cambria-Somerset County region we believe is strong enough to fuel the new mill from a labor perspective. We have the infrastructure, good schools and superb quality of life to support the effort, as well as
a very active and ambitious Vision Together 2025 consortium of government, business and philanthropic leaders continually looking to improve our community.
“We quickly learned that we had the immediate backing of our federal leaders, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Congressman John Joyce (R-13) and Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-15). My colleagues in the General Assembly and our city and county officials are equally as excited, which was demonstrated in today’s turnout. Johnstown and U.S. Steel would be a great match, and we’re prepared to show them how and why.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Rigby’s district office at 1- 814-536-9818.