Durant Steel Mill - Commercial Metals Co.

[TU 'cane]

This is great. This, in my opinion, is a great industrial based manufacturer that we need. I hope most of the employees will be OK local. It will continue to facilitate growth in the southern part of the state (that is rather sparse, considering the proximity to DFW). 300 potential jobs, industrial based ones at that, is a good thing to have.

With things moving North from DFW, it may be business such as this that will help facilitate the OK/TX DFW merger that some speculate will happen.

FROM STAFF REPORTS • Published: July 28, 2015
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A Texas company plans to build a $250 million high-tech steel mill in Durant that could create about 300 local jobs when the plant is commissioned in 2017.

Irving, Texas-based Commercial Metals Co. selected Durant as the site for construction of its second micro mill.

Gov. Mary Fallin, in a statement, said, "We are extremely excited to welcome CMC to the city of Durant. Our pro-business climate, great quality of life, and skilled workforce make Oklahoma the perfect home for this world-class manufacturing operation."

The Oklahoma operation will mirror Commercial Metal's existing micro mill in Mesa, Ariz., and will be built with technology developed from the company's operating experience with the world's first micro mill, the company said.

The Mesa micro mill employs an innovative process to melt, cast and roll steel from a single uninterrupted strand, producing higher yields and lower energy costs than the traditional minimill process.

Commissioned in 2009, the Mesa micro mill reached full capacity within the first year of operation, the company said. The mill's compact footprint is designed to economically serve the Southwest and surrounding markets.

Commercial Metals produces a range of rebar, rounds and fence posts for the construction, energy, transportation and agriculture markets.

The company said the Durant micro mill is expected to enhance Commercial Metals' position as a leading supplier of long products in the U.S. market.

Durant's steel plant may mean 300 jobs | News OK

[zookeeper]

This is great. This, in my opinion, is a great industrial based manufacturer that we need. I hope most of the employees will be OK local. It will continue to facilitate growth in the southern part of the state (that is rather sparse, considering the proximity to DFW). 300 potential jobs, industrial based ones at that, is a good thing to have.

With things moving North from DFW, it may be business such as this that will help facilitate the OK/TX DFW merger that some speculate will happen.



Durant's steel plant may mean 300 jobs | News OK

Great news indeed! As I've said before, I am amazed at the growth of the entire Sherman-Denison to Durant corridor and surrounding area. That area is exploding. Lots of good people down that way, too.

[adaniel]

In case you're curious, Durant and Bryan County are already considered part of the Dallas/Ft Worth Combined Statistical Area, as there is a fairly significant commuter population from Grayson County TX in Durant.

[Laramie]

Texas doesn't have a state income tax (so true). They make their money on property taxes; especially on out-of-staters--those who can't file/claim homestead exemption. There will be satellite companies that will accompany the Steel Mill.

The area on the south Oklahoma border has Texans' interest. They can live in Texas, get incentives from Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program; however those workers who reside in Texas will pay Oklahoma state income taxes.

You wonder why Winstar World Casino is popular with Texans?

[bradh]

With the Atoka pipeline looming, don't bet this will be the last steel mill built in southern Oklahoma

[Spartan]

Help me connect the dots between an oil pipeline and more steel mills? Yes pipelines are made out of steel, but beyond that?

I will say though that steel milling is one economic activity that probably has a very high multiplier effect.

[bradh]

Help me connect the dots between an oil pipeline and more steel mills? Yes pipelines are made out of steel, but beyond that?

I will say though that steel milling is one economic activity that probably has a very high multiplier effect.

Who's talking about oil? The planned Atoka pipeline is a water pipeline that is an OCWUT project.

[adaniel]

^
Interesting. I would not have thought of this. Do you think that pipeline would supply enough work for a company to need an entirely new base of operations?

Laramine, I must admit I am a bit confused by your post.

I can tell you a lot of large warehousing operations that need access to the DFW market have leapfrogged places like Gainesville and Sherman and are instead setting up in Durant, but Love and Carter County as well. For a land-intensive operation like a warehouse, Texas's high property taxes are a significant deterrent. And while the State of Texas has stepped up their incentive programs, the tribes down there (Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations) have done the same. Over the past 5 years, Bryan County has actually grown faster than Grayson County across the Red River in terms of percentage; same with Love County and Cooke County in Texas

Speaking of, I don't think enough credit is given to the increasing economic role the larger Indian Nations are starting to play in Oklahoma. Say what you will about them, but the tribes act as a badly needed counterweight to the kookiness that emits from OK's state government,

[HangryHippo]

Speaking of, I don't think enough credit is given to the increasing economic role the larger Indian Nations are starting to play in Oklahoma. Say what you will about them, but the tribes act as a badly needed counterweight to the kookiness that emits from OK's state government,

This is absolutely true. I need to find and post an editorial I saw in the Tulsa World about this very thing. The tribes are starting to exert more influence and they're actually rational, which can only help Oklahoma.

[TU 'cane]

This is absolutely true. I need to find and post an editorial I saw in the Tulsa World about this very thing. The tribes are starting to exert more influence and they're actually rational, which can only help Oklahoma.

They're rational because they're driven by only money, not dogma, such as many of the politicians in OKC.
Of course, we could say the same about some, that they're only driven by money, but ultimately our political situation is driven by an unhealthy level of both in this state, hence why the things that actually matter tend to be severely delayed or non-existant.

Ex. SB 383 by Stephanie Bice. She was quoted as saying they were waiting for "key players" to come to the table to discuss the bill, instead of fighting to get it pushed through. Special interests… The tribes on the other hand only care about one thing: $$$, so naturally they're driven to be rational about many things.

[Laramie]

^

Laramie, I must admit I am a bit confused by your post.

Let me clarify:

From a business standpoint, they can tap into the 'Quality Jobs Program.'

As for the workers (employees) who cross state lines from Texas; they will have to pay state income taxes.

The Quality Jobs Program is pro-business for those who invest in Oklahoma south of the Red River. As for those who travel north of the Red River for work, they will have to pay state income taxes.

You will probably see more investments of this type from Texas entrepreneurs, who tap into the Oklahoma border for additional incentives.

As for the Casinos like Winstar, the Texans can cross the border when they want satisfy their need to game. The expanded hotel at Winstar is impressive.

[kswright29]

Glad to see my hometown doing well. The growth down there is truly amazing. When I go to visit my parents I hardly recognize it as the same small town I grew up in.

[zookeeper]

Glad to see my hometown doing well. The growth down there is truly amazing. When I go to visit my parents I hardly recognize it as the same small town I grew up in.

I saw the High School when the President visited and thought, "Wow, that's in Durant?" Is it fairly new?

[zookeeper]

Well, I just checked myself and it opened 4 years ago. Very nice!

[KayneMo]

Great to see continued growth down in my hometown! I'm very curious to know where the steel mill will be located, I haven't seen any tidbits on that score yet. Durant's estimated population for 2014 was 17,041, up 7.5% from 2010, and up 25.8% from 2000. The bypass around southern Durant has been mostly completed, the western half is 4-lanes but the eastern half is 2-lanes at the moment. And yes! The high school was completed in 2011, just before I graduated in 2009.

[KayneMo]

New article about the steel mill coming to Durant.
DIA meets to create TIF - Durant Democrat - durantdemocrat.com

It'll be located on the east side of Durant at E Main and the new Highway 70, highlighted below.


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