Change is happening quickly at JSW Steel USA in Mingo Junction.

Since the company acquired the facility over the summer it’s invested millions and a major piece of equipment is now up and running

December 14th was a big day for JSW Steel USA because it started up the electric arc furnace that enables the company to melt and manufacture steel right here in the Ohio Valley.

“3.545 days, 5 hours and 54 minutes since it has last been up,” said John Hritz, President & CEO of JSW Steel USA.

The electric arc furnace hadn’t been run since 2009. JSW Steel USA has also brought up the hot strip mill and slab caster, which means this facility is growing fast.

“We are putting in technology that does not exist in this country,” Hritz explained. “We are putting in the best technology that we are acquiring from all over the world. Unfortunately, a lot of it we can’t get in this country. Hopefully that’ll change.”

The electric arc furnace can produce 1.5 million tons of steel each year and JSW Steel USA already has plans to put in another one, which will be the most eco-friendly in the world. The company has been and said it will continue to work closely with the Ohio EPA.

“When we issue a permit, like we’ve already issued a permit for the facility, people in the community should rest assure that as long as the facility maintains compliance with those limits that public health and health of local citizens is protected,” explained Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler.

This rapid growth also means job creation. The Mingo Junction facility has hired around 300 employees and hundreds more contractors, with new people coming in daily.

“A lot of the people that ran this facility in the past we have brought back because you cannot find the kind of talent easily,” Hritz continued.

JSW Steel USA is also working with Jobs Ohio and local communities to make steel sustainable in the Ohio Valley again.

“What we’re really trying to do here is grow the steel industry in this country,” Hritz said. “If we grow it correctly, it won’t be what it was in the past where facilities like this went up and down and sometimes got leveled o the ground.”

Officials also told 7News they have a new commitment to philanthropy in the community as well and have created a social responsibility committee. They also work closely with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

“We want to give back as much socially to the community as wel do financially,” said Pete Vojvodich, Vice President of Human Resources for JSW Steel USA.