SINTON, Texas — The excitement continued Tuesday after the big announcement that a site just outside of Sinton was selected for a $1.9 billion steel mill project by a company called Steel Dynamics Inc.
Members of the Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation sat down Tuesday morning for a conference call with the company as the official word came down.
Excitement was an understatement for Coastal Bend leaders when they learned the land outside Sinton was chosen for a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace steel mill that will be capable of producing advanced high strength steel products.
"Its a game changer, especially for economic diversification. We've been pursuing an arc furnace working in the region for the last three years," said Tommy Kurtz with the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation.
According to Kurtz, the project site will be where Highway 77 and 89 meet and is expected to create 600 good-paying permanent jobs.
"Paying an average of $80,000 and bonus, can make as much as $100,000," Kurtz.
"I'm really shocked at this point. We were getting everything prepared when we heard they were interested several months ago," said Lesly Sence with the Sinton Chamber of Commerce.
Sence is also excited about the possibilities the new project could bring, calling it a shot in the arm for the town.
The site is about 2,500 acres, so there is room for future growth.
"It's going to bring a positive change to the community," Sence said. "We need that. We need Sinton strong again."
Construction is set to start in early 2020 after permits are granted.
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