WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioAn additional 57-million dollar project to be built on V&M property

An additional 57-million dollar project to be built on V&M property

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - There's word of more jobs coming in connection with the Valley's shale boom.

As business and education leaders met in Youngstown to promote the shale gas well drilling industry, a company announced a 57-million dollar project.

An affiliate company of V&M Star announced plans to build a new pipe refinishing plant on the same property.

Officials from VAM USA and V&M Star jointly announced plans for a 57-million dollar expansion at the current Youngstown-Girard facility.

It brings the company closer to customers working locally in the shale industry. "We see enough business to justify building his new mill which is a very, very large mill and our new facility there," said M. Judson Wallace, President, VAM USA.

VAM USA's new finishing plant will help both companies improve efficiency in pipe production. "We can make the pipe at V&M Star, Judson's company can then thread it for customers that are largely in this area," said Joel Mastervich, V&M President and COO.

Houston-based VAM USA plans to hire 100 skilled employees for the plant, which local leaders hope will grow even more jobs.

"Every time they add jobs it's a domino effect. You're going to get other businesses to locate here which means more jobs," said Youngstown Mayor Charles Sammarone.

Work is underway to renovate the 100-year-old Sheet and Tube building on the V&M property. "That building had been vacant for over 30 years and now we're bringing new life to it. That's an exciting thing," said Girard Mayor James Melfi.

And owners of both companies expect to be busy when the new facility opens in 2013. "We feel pretty confident that we'll have the business to fill his new mill and our new facility," Wallace said.