U.S. Steel president to keynote economic development luncheon
by March 3, 2022 7:46 pm 889 views
U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt will headline the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) luncheon on Wednesday, April 6 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
David Burritt joined U.S. Steel in 2013 and was later appointed President and CEO in May of 2017. Today, he leads the company’s business operations in the U.S and central Europe. In addition to his role with U.S. Steel, Burritt serves on the board of directors for Lockheed Martin, National Safety Council and worldsteel.
“We look forward to hearing Mr. Burritt’s take on the future of steelmaking and how the newly announced U.S. Steel facility in Northeast Arkansas will bring enormous economic benefit to our state and citizens,” said Gus Vratsinas, AEDF President.
U.S. Steel ventured into Northeast Arkansas a few years ago when it acquired Big River Steel in Mississippi County. The company announced at the beginning of the year it would build a second plant near its Osceola operations.
Executives from U.S. Steel and Arkansas officials broke ground Feb. 8 on the new project. The $3 billion steel mill is the largest in Arkansas history. Burritt said it will be “the most technologically advanced mini-mill on the planet” when completed in 2024.
The new mill will employ 900 people at annual salaries of up to $120,000.
The new optimized steel production facility is expected to feature two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) with 3 million tons per year of advanced steelmaking capability, a state-of-the-art endless casting and rolling line, and advanced finishing capabilities. Upon completion, the project will apply to become LEED-certified, the company said.
Once complete, it will cement Mississippi County as the most prolific steel making county in the country.
Proceeds from the luncheon, a collaborative event being held by AEDF and the Arkansas Industrial and Economic Development Foundation (AIEDF), will benefit state economic development work through activities such as research and new business recruitment support led by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC).
Gov. Asa Hutchinson will also attend the event and make remarks.