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 "Making investments at the local level is one of the best ways to
ensure every region of the state is meeting its economic potential,
which is why we take such a unique, regional approach to economic
development. We will continue to make good, solid investments in our
businesses, which will not only help companies grow their bottom
line, but also result in job creation and an increased quality of
life in our communities," said Blagojevich.
The governor announced that SunCoke Energy, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sunoco Inc., will build a heat recovery coke
manufacturing facility contiguous to U.S. Steel's steelmaking
facility in Granite City. The new coke plant will include 120 heat
recovery ovens capable of producing approximately 650,000 tons of
screened blast furnace coke per year, which will be sold to U.S.
Steel under a 15-year contract. The coke facility will also supply
energy to a new co-generation plant that will be built, owned and
operated by U.S. Steel.
"By providing support to these companies, we are helping them
stay productive and profitable and at the same time investing in the
strength and vitality of this region. I am committed to continuing
to do what I can to retain and create more good jobs for the people
of southwest Illinois," said Rep. Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville.
"I'm pleased that U.S. Steel and SunCoke have chosen to expand
their operations here in Illinois. With increasing competition, it's
more important than ever that we are able to make smart investments
to ensure businesses can succeed in the global market, which
translates into opportunities for more jobs and greater economic
development locally," said Sen. William Haine, D-Alton.
"This expansion is evidence that southwestern Illinois has the
infrastructure, financial capital, human capital and state-level
support to help companies succeed. We hope this will be one of many
investments to this region," said Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville.
"U.S. Steel Granite City Works' more than 2,000 dedicated
employees and their predecessors have made this facility a key
contributor to the local economy for more than 100 years, while
supplying high-quality flat-rolled carbon sheet steel to the
construction, container, pipe and tube, service center, and
electrical industries. This significant new investment demonstrates
U.S. Steel's commitment to environmental stewardship, highlights our
commitment to Granite City and the surrounding communities, and
helps to ensure that our entire company remains well-positioned in
an increasingly competitive global industry," said U.S. Steel
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Goodish.
"This project shows what is possible when business, government
and the community work together and find common ground. Building the
new coke-making facility will result in hundreds of temporary
construction jobs and about 70 permanent operating and maintenance
positions. Along with our partner U.S. Steel, we look forward to
playing a role in the region's future," said Michael J. Thomson,
executive vice president and chief operating officer of SunCoke
Energy Inc.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is
administering the business investment package, which includes
Economic Development for a Growing Economy corporate income tax
credits over the next 10 years, based on job creation, and Employer
Training Investment Program job training funds that will help
enhance the skills of the work force. In addition, the companies
will benefit from being located in an Illinois enterprise zone and
will receive state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief, and
improved governmental services.
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 "With investments like these, we are continuing to build the
economy and strengthen our communities. I'm happy SunCoke and U.S.
Steel are expanding their presence in this region and that we were
able to offer support to make that possible," said Rep. Dan Beiser,
D-Alton.
"By investing in companies like U.S. Steel and SunCoke, we are
continuing to respond to the needs of Illinois' businesses to ensure
they continue to experience success," said Jack Lavin, director of
the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "When our
businesses are successful, they produce more jobs, bring increased
economic development and help enhance our communities. We look
forward to the continued and prosperous growth of these two
companies and greater development in the future."
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U.S. Steel Corp., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., is an
integrated steel producer with major production operations in the
United States, Canada and central Europe and an annual raw
steelmaking capability of 31.7 million net tons. The company
manufactures a wide range of value-added steel sheet and tubular
products for the automotive, appliance, container, industrial
machinery, construction, and oil and gas industries.
SunCoke Energy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunoco Inc.,
furnishes metallurgical coke to integrated steelmakers that use
blast furnace technology. The company has served the steel industry
for more than 40 years and produces over 4.2 million tons of coke
each year at its plants in Vansant, Va.; East Chicago, Ind.;
Haverhill, Ohio; and Vítoria, Brazil. Currently under construction,
a second coke facility at Haverhill is expected to start production
in the second half of 2008. SunCoke Energy possesses the only
proven, clean heat recovery technology in the world that conforms to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Maximum Achievable
Control Technology" emissions standard and offers steam or electric
power as an emission-free byproduct.
Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development
strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating
jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to
economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the
state into 10 regions, each with a regional team that is empowered
and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.
Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each
region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and
more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of
the local work force, increasing access to capital, opening new
markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.
Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies
and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach
its economic potential.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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