A multi-million dollar investment was made Wednesday in Bell County. Officials from across the state were in Middlesboro to break ground on a new steel manufacturing facility.
Flash Steelworks Inc. is putting $12.1 million into the construction. The Appalachian Regional Commission is contributing $1 million and the State of Kentucky allocated $5 million to the project.
Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock was heavily involved in bringing the project to reality. Brock said steel is expensive to ship.
“So if you can locate close to the raw product, then you’re eliminating one of your biggest cost factors in your finished product. So Flash is truly a game changing project for our area,” said Brock.
County officials said other industries will want to locate in the area near Flash Steelworks.
The company has a contract to create armor for the U.S. Military. Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson said the agreement means demand at the site will remain steady, regardless of swings in the economy.
“Knowing that the business is going to be here, the company is going to be here for the long haul, that makes a big difference and that means that other companies are going to come in because they know the business will be here for the long haul. So you know, like anything else, it’s going to really help our city, but it’s going to help our region as well,” said Nelson.
The new steel manufacturer is expected to create 250 full-time jobs, with 100 of those coming in the next three years.
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