Neighbor News
US Steel Fight Should Focus on Pennsylvania Jobs
Jobs are at stake for the Pennsylvania steel industry and small businesses that depend on them
The fight for the future of the Pennsylvania steel industry is continuing to heat up as both Nippon and Cleveland Cliffs make their final cases to buy US Steel. A number of developments have recently transpired, most importantly Nippon Steel has guaranteed no jobs cuts for Pennsylvania steel workers which is a major turning point. Not to mention, Nippon has agreed to move its U.S. headquarters to Pittsburgh and promised an additional $1.4 billion in capital spending.
With our small towns struggling to keep their doors open, I worry that a sale to Cleveland Cliffs, without corresponding commitments, would have a similar effect to NAFTA in draining more jobs from the state. Nearly 20 years ago, small Pennsylvania towns were still abuzz with economic activity and growth. I’m sure other readers have noticed that Pennsylvania’s main streets seem to be getting emptier and emptier. If a company in Cleveland is allowed to purchase US Steel and relocate its headquarters to Ohio, there is no question that Pennsylvania jobs will be lost.
US Steel drives nearly $2 billion of economic activity in Pennsylvania and supports nearly 12,000 jobs across the state. Anyone familiar with the economy or Pennsylvania small businesses knows these jobs are crucial to the overall health of our community. Small businesses provide a myriad of services that depend on a healthy economy and help pay for our schools, roads and more. If jobs are shipped out of the state, it will be more than just the direct industry that is hurt. If these jobs move to Ohio, it will have a devastating impact on every facet of the economy and our communities. Even charities that depend on the generosity of Pennsylvania small businesses could see a drop in donations.
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The next few months will determine the fate of our small businesses because of these important decisions. I fear the disturbing trend of jobs and businesses disappearing from the state will only continue if our precious US Steel is consolidated and moved to Ohio. Elected officials like Senators Brown, Casey and Fetterman should refrain from making decisions of this magnitude unless they are ready to see more economic activity seep away from the state.
John Preston has been working in Pennsylvania small business marketing for the past 25 years