Steel Transforms The Area Once Again:
Top 10
Youngstown-Warren Area
Economic Development Stories of 2010
Marcellus Shale is the newest buzzword to shape the future of the Mahoning Valley. With an estimated 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas below the surface of a six-state area which includes Ohio and Pennsylvania, the shale gas play is considered to be one of the world's largest natural gas deposits. New drilling techniques and technologies have made the Marcellus accessible, providing a drilling-boom to the oil and gas industry and its related supply chain. The Youngstown-Warren area, positioned at the gateway to Marcellus, is capitalizing on Marcellus activity.
V&M Star Announces Expansion
February 15, 2010 marked a significant day in the Youngstown-Warren, Ohio area when V&M Star, with its parent company Vallourec & Mannesmann of Paris, France, announced a $650 million investment to build a state-of-the art small diameter rolling mill in Youngstown, Ohio and create 350 direct high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing. V&M produces seamless steel tubing used in the gas and oil industry in its current mill in Youngstown. With the discovery of the Marcellus Shale, the 1 million square foot mill expansion is poised to meet the anticipated demand for shale drilling. The project, one of the largest in the nation, is the biggest boost to the economy in the Valley in more than 30 years.
V&M Star Purchases Indalex Property
Obscured by the news of the $650 million mill expansion, V&M Star also invested nearly $3 million to acquire the former Indalex property. The site will be used for construction offices and a staging area.
Ultra Premium Oilfield Services is Attracted to Brookfield
A division of TMK-IPSCO, Ultra Premium Oilfield Services moved into a facility in Brookfield as a direct response to the growing demand for infrastructure at Marcellus well sites. Ultra Premium produces high grade steel casings used in the drilling process and plans to produce up to 100,000 tons of threaded pipe annually. TMK-IPSCO stated that the Brookfield site was chosen in part because of the location, local industrial infrastructure, economics and support of the governments and business development entities. The company, which invested $10 million into the project, will initially employ 50 workers but plans to expand to 120 within two years.
Dearing Compressor and Pump Grows
As supplier of pumps and compressors used in the drilling process, Dearing Compressor sees Marcellus gas exploration as a great opportunity. The manufacturer is investing $3 million to build a 50,000 sq ft expansion to its existing facility and planning to add 20 to 25 new jobs. This development marks the third time the industrial compressor company has expanded in the past ten years. The company currently employs 100 workers.
Patriot Water Treatment LLC Locates in Warren
Patriot Water Treatment also plans to capitalize on the Marcellus boom. As part of the services to drilling companies, Patriot Water receives frac water from well sites as to pretreat fluids for removal of heavy metals and other chemicals before discharging the water to wastewater treatment facilities. The company is permitted to treat up to 100,000 gallons per day. Located in Warren Commerce Park, the company employs 15 workers but plans to expand to 400 within the next year as related to increased Marcellus drilling.
GM Launches Lordstown-Made Cruze- adds 3rd shift
General Motors Co. North America President Mark Reuss stated, "The rebirth of the American economy starts right here at Lordstown with a world-class, high-volume car build in the heartland of America." After its 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy, General Motors is continuing its turnaround with the launch of the 2011 Chevy Cruze. With a $350 million investment in the Lordstown Complex in preparation for the new vehicle, the company anticipates high demand for the model. Upon becoming one of the auto manufacturer's best selling vehicles, production was increased to three shifts by the end of 2009. With 1,400 workers recalled, the Lordstown facility is a major contributor to the Mahoning Valley economy.
Turning Technologies Opens Office Overseas 
Turning Technologies, a Youngstown-based company, has opened a sales office in the Netherlands. According to company officials, Turning Technologies software is used by 67% of Fortune 100 companies and more than half of the country's higher-education institutions domestically, and with that success, plans to tap into the European markets. The overseas expansion is expected to generate $2.5 to $3 million in its first year. The Netherlands was chosen because of the country's strong commitment to education and technology.
Revere Data Moves into TechBlock
Revere Data, a financial information research and services company, relocated its research operations to the Downtown Youngstown TechBlock. Originally housed in San Francisco, the company moved into the area because of the its low cost of operations and abundance of talent. Revere hires graduates with business, economics, information technology, life sciences or engineering degrees. The company expects to have nearly 50 workers within two years.
VXI Expands Again
VXI Global Solutions opened its new call center in Youngstown in 2009 and within one year, expanded operations which will double their existing workforce. VXI now has two floors of offices and workspace in the downtown Youngstown building that will house 600 current and 700 future employees. The $5.2 million project came about because of federal stimulus funds and private financing. The company credited the quality and work ethic of the workers in the Mahoning Valley along with increased demand from new and existing clients as decision factors of the expansion.
Warren Screw Machine Expands Production
Warren Screw Machine began as a screw manufacturer in 1950 and over time expanded its product lines and diversified its customer base. Today, the company produces screws, shafts and other precision-machined component parts for products in the agricultural equipment and aircraft industries. Warren Screw Machine is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to Goodrich Aerospace, Parker Hannifin and Airbus. The company, which has 60 employees, recently expanded capacity by moving to a new facility in Niles and purchasing new equipment.
ASTRUM Solar Chooses Youngstown
In response to growing demand from its customers in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, ASTRUM Solar opened an office in Youngstown. The company, a leading installer of solar panels, states that the area's highly skilled workforce will be instrumental in meeting the increasing demand of residents who want to pursue energy independence by using their own homes to generate clean energy. The 25-person new distribution facility and sales office serves customers from Toledo to Pittsburgh.