Fighting To Bring Investments, Jobs To the Iron Range

Sen. Coleman today joined other state and business leaders in Keewatin, MN to announce the U.S. Steel will be expanding their Keewatin facility in a big way. According to U.S. Steel, the $300 million project will bring 500 temporary construction jobs and 75 permanent, full-time jobs to the Iron Range.

Here’s some reaction from the area:

Kalvin Durant works for the Keewatin City Street Department. “Any time you get an expansion like this it’s good for the economy,” Durant said. “Hopefully it will bring a few more people and maybe some businesses.”

Tom Cook is a lifelong city resident. “I hope it comes through; we need jobs. It’s tough here for people to live.”

Tiffany Bodin grew up in Keewatin and recently moved back from St. Cloud. She now tends bar at DeneQua. She said her husband, Kevin, has applied for jobs at Keetac and Hibbing Taconite. “How can you go wrong with more jobs?” she said.

(“$300 million expansion planned for Keetac taconite operation,” Duluth News Tribune, February 1, 2008)

Official have said that the $300 million project is the largest investment in mining on the Iron Range in 29 years.