Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced that Vinton Steel, LLC, a subsidiary of Kyoei Steel LTD headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is the fourth project under the new Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program. The announcement was made during a press conference at Vinton Steel in Vinton, Texas.
Vinton Steel will invest more than $229 million and create over 180 new jobs in an expansion of their advanced manufacturing facility, which recycles ferrous scrap into new steel products. The project will enhance the Texas steel manufacturing sector and contribute to the local economy.
“Vinton Steel is a critical part of the Texas steel manufacturing sector,” said Governor Abbott. “This is the kind of capital-intensive project that JETI can help support. We want to ensure that companies like Vinton Steel thrive, and we want Texas employees to earn a better paycheck from a high-demand job like steelmaking. With more than 180 new jobs and a $229 million investment, Vinton Steel is making a Texas-sized investment in the future of El Paso County and is an important part in the stronger, more prosperous Texas we are building.”
Vinton Steel operates as a mini-mill using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology and ferrous scrap as a primary raw material. The facility consists of two EAFs and a continuous casting and rolling mill, recycling more than 250,000 tons per year. To support the expansion, the company received a Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $1,504,000, along with a $12,000 veteran-created job bonus.
The announcement was attended by Vinton Steel Chairman Masahiro Kitada, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, Vinton Mayor Rachel Quintana, and Borderplex Alliance CEO Jon Barela.