The Georgetown steelworks reopens after almost three years

The Georgetown mill is officially open and operates after being closed for almost three years.

People celebrated the official opening of Liberty Steel Georgetown on Monday. The steel mill officially closed in 2015, leaving more than 200 people out of work. Liberty House, which is based in London, brought the property in April 2017.

On Monday, GFG Alliance, owner of Liberty House and renamed Liberty Steel Georgetown, celebrated the grand opening of the plants with employees, local government officials and community members.

"It's a great day for me to see everything come back into play. I had some doubts at first, but I'm glad to see it over," said the engineer. Gene Elliott project.

Elliott worked at the steel mill for 45 years, and spent the last three years taking care of the equipment because the plant was vacant.

"It's a great awakening, it's a great opportunity to be able to have jobs that they can provide to their families, it's an opportunity that they do not have." might not have been, thanks to Liberty Steel, "said Elliott.

Melvin Logan is one of about 125 metallurgists currently working at Liberty Steel Georgetown. The Georgetown native says the rebirth of the steel mill will revive the economy of the city, as well as that of the surrounding area.

"It's a vital part of the community, without which many jobs are lost, many people can not have what they have now, with a lot of smiling faces," he said. -he says.

Sanjeev Gupta, executive chairman of GFG Alliance, said that he expects the steelworks to employ about 320 people once it will operate at full capacity, year-round. next. Of the current 125 employees, about 40 previously worked at the steel mill three years ago. Gupta said their experience was essential to the reopening of the factory.

"They help bring everything back. Having the right set of skills and experience will help this plant start much better, much faster, "he said.

Despite the rocky history of the plant, Gupta assured all employees and the local community, Liberty Steel Georgetown is here to stay.

"I have never closed a steel mill in my life, I have never closed a business in my life, we will continue to run this business, for the moment, things are going well, but even s & # 39; 39, there is a hard time, we will get through. "

"I think we're here for the long term now and I think Liberty will run this factory for a long time," Elliott said.