The French firm V&M Star Steel has been looking to develop a site that stradles Youngstown, in Mahoning County, and neighboring Girard, in Trumble County.
Now, with backing of both towns' mayors and city councils, 190 acres of Girard's land is being annexed by Youngstown - but with a tax-sharing plan that guarantees benefits for both cities.
The deal will give Girard 55% of the income taxes generated at the plant, but the border adjustment means Girard will lose 40% of its zoned industrial land. Girard Mayor James Melfi says the city is giving up a lot; but the change for his town also meant considering what is best for the region.
JAMES MELFI: "We recognize the fact that this was possibly a once-in-a-lifetime situation and that we had to make it happen, but we had to do our job, we couldn't shortchange our community."
Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams points to the regional impact of 400 new permanent jobs and up to 700 construction jobs.
But even with the agreement, it's not certain V&M Star will come through. Williams says it's still weighing the Youngstown site against one or two others.
JAY WILLIAMS: "We feel that we would be more competitive than any of the other sites, but even if ultimately this project isn't built here, we now have a site that is ready to accept other economic development issues that would still be of benefit to the community."
V&M is expected to decide on a site by year's end.
Both city leaders say the bigger victory is the example set here for co-operation among other towns in Northeast Ohio.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
