Amid statements from Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves that he would cut 1,500 jobs at AK Steel in Butler if the United States doesn’t revise a trade policy, the Butler County Commissioners are making sure national leaders know how big of an impact this move would have.
Leslie Osche is the chairwoman of the county commissioners.
“We drafted a letter to the President, and members of Congress and the Senate to talk about globally what the impact would be on the community,” Osche said. “So what we’re comparing is the payroll that AK Steel represents for this county is heads-and-tails above any other employer in the county.”
Osche said that the economic impact of AK Steel closing will be massive for the county.
“Think about the trickle down,” Osche said. “These are people who are buying houses, cars, and investing. It could be a tremendous blow.”
“It makes you feel like all the economic gains the county has made over the last couple of years could be lost,” Osche said.
She did reiterate that the county remains in contact with all parties involved, but hasn’t heard a timeline from the federal government or Cleveland-Cliffs in regards to any deal.
