THAT WAS THEN

In late 2007, the Strickland administration announced it was "doing everything that can possibly be done" to attract a new Russian-owned $1 billion steel plant (with 500 new jobs) to Scioto County.

• "For the second time in under a month, SSU welcomed its hometown son, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. This time, he acted as host to a September 18 news conference where he disclosed that Scioto County may soon become home to a new multi-million dollar steel manufacturing plant." (Shawnee State University Chronicle, 10/04/07)
   
• "A Russian steel company pondering building a $1 billion steel mill in southern Ohio has sought a permit from the state's environmental agency." (Associated Press, 10/08/07)

According to the steel industry publication, American Metal Market, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher oversaw the multi-million dollar effort to lure the company to Ohio:

• "Ohio was keen to secure the project. Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher traveled to Magnitogorsk, Russia, at MMK's invitation and met with MMK chairman Viktor Rashnikov in 2007 (AMM, 07/13/07). The state also hosted a visit from Rashnikov and reportedly offered millions of dollars in grants and other incentives to entice MMK to Ohio." (AMM, 09/17/07)

In December 2007, Strickland used the potential steel plant to deflect from a decision by Rolls Royce to build a facility in Virginia instead of Ohio:

• "Strickland can take the [Rolls Royce] deal off of his list of accomplishments for the year.  Rolls-Royce announced last month that the plant is headed to Virginia. ... State officials are still hopeful that Russia's MMK Steel will decide to build a $1 billion plant in Southern Ohio. Steel officials visited the state in September.  Strickland said in a June Cleveland City Club speech that an unnamed company would invest $2 billion in the state. At the time, Rolls-Royce was believed to be the unnamed company. It was not the one. MMK Steel is the big tease." (The Plain Dealer, 12/12/07)

In May 2008, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher announced millions of dollars in grants being awarded to support the new steel plant:

• "New Steel International, Inc. (NSI), to be located in Green Township (Scioto County), received approval for a $2 million Rapid Outreach Grant for costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment and on-site infrastructure to support its proposed new facility." (Ohio Department of Development, Press Release, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announces Grants to Businesses and Communities,” 5/19/08)
   
• "Scioto County will also receive a $2 million Roadwork Development Grant in support of New Steel International, Inc. for the soon-to-be-created entity MMK Americas, Inc.'s new facility in Green Township. Among other improvements, Scioto County will construct two new road interchanges to connect MMKA's new facility to U.S. Route 52." (Ohio Department of Development, Press Release, Lt. Gov. Fisher Announces Grants to Businesses and Communities,” 5/19/08)

In October 2008, Strickland and Fisher wrote a letter to the steel company declaring the project 'our top economic development priority':

• "Late last month, the governor and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher wrote a letter to the company to show their continued support. 'We are ready to move forward with the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) and New Steel International's (NSI) historic project in Haverhill, Ohio,' Strickland and Fisher said. The letter outlined ways the project could get the necessary environmental permits and financing. 'MMK's project remains our top economic development priority,' the letter said. (Columbus Dispatch, 11/29/08)

In 2009, Strickland's Department of Development listed the steel facility as a $680 million investment as part of "data that is submitted to Site Selection magazine" for consideration in awarding the publication's annual Governor's Cup, which Strickland received. (Ohio Dept. of Development)
 

THIS IS NOW

In May 2010, the Strickland administration confirmed construction of the new steel facility was 'not likely' to happen, calling the situation 'a major disappointment':

• "A Russian steel company is unlikely to follow through on plans to build a plant in southern Ohio, state officials are saying, marking what may be a quiet end to a project announced with fanfare three years ago. ... 'We have not heard from MMK in some time,' said Kimber Perfect, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Development." (The Columbus Dispatch, 05/14/10)
   
   

THE BOTTOM LINE

"Part of Ted Strickland's legacy will be the number of times he got left at the altar by companies who dated Ohio and married someone else," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine.  "The Strickland administration has demonstrated once again that it's all talk and no action, and the only thing they have to show for the last four years is 430,000 lost jobs and a growing list of development opportunities that got away.  We need new leadership in the governor's office, and John Kasich is ready to provide it."