American Steel Roars Back: U.S. Steel to Restart Gary Tin Mill

4 hours ago 32

Tired of winning yet?

Last week, United States Steel announced the re-opening of the Gary (Indiana) Tin Works, which will increase domestic production of tin and bring 225 jobs to this former industrial area of northwest Indiana.

U. S. Steel today announced plans to restart the Gary Tin Mill at the company’s Gary Works facility, positioning the company to increase domestic tin mill production and provide customers with American made supply.

The planned restart requires sustained customer interest in securing long term domestic tin mill supply and U. S. Steel’s belief that demand can be met by increased U.S. production when market conditions allow for fair competition. The restart is intended to provide customers greater access to reliable, American made tin mill products—mined, melted, and made in America—as part of a more balanced domestic supply mix.

Tin is used in a variety of applications, most notably to prevent corrosion in steel by applying it as a coating, either electrolytically or by hot dipping. There are a wide variety of other uses for tin, and now we'll have an increase in domestic production; that's a good thing. The jobs are a bonus, too. The Gary plant is part of the Rust Belt, and it's good to see some industry returning to the area.

The Chicago Tribune noted that at least two local politicians, Democrats at that, support the move, and honestly, how could they not?

Northwest Indiana dignitaries celebrated the announcement after it was made. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, called the move “a great step forward for our city, our local workforce, and the broader American manufacturing industry.”

“As we look toward the Gary Tin Mill becoming fully operational in early 2027, my administration is eager to work closely with U.S. Steel and our local workforce development agencies,” he said. “We are fully committed to preparing Gary residents for the jobs associated with this project, ensuring that our community is equipped, trained, and first in line to step into these essential roles.”

Indiana State Representative Carolyn B. Jackson, D-Hammond, also welcomed the announcement.

“This is exactly the kind of investment our community deserves,” Jackson said. “These good-paying jobs at Gary Works mean 225 more families in Northwest Indiana with the stability and security they need. I’m proud to see Gary continue to be a hub for American manufacturing, and I’ll keep fighting at the Statehouse to make sure our workers and our Region get every opportunity to thrive.”

It's the economy, stupid, and with the country looking ahead to the midterms, Gary, Indiana, has just been handed an economic boost.

This is a step in the direction of making the United States once more a nation that makes things, that builds, that fixes, a country of industry. The Allies, in World War 2, won in large part because of American industrial might. The Soviet Union used American trucks and aircraft, the Brits and their Canadian counterparts used American aircraft and tanks, and we won that war, as all wars are won, by logistics. We had more of everything, we made more of everything, and we won.

That's where we need to go back to. By all means, the United States should be working to forward our high-tech advantage in data centers, in artificial intelligence, and everything from drones to cellular communications. But we shouldn't overlook what has been the strength of the United States since the Industrial Revolution: Manufacturing.

This is good news for Gary, Indiana, and it is good news for America. And, no, we're still not tired of winning.

This seems appropriate.