By FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer
A Portsmouth businessman working to bring a large energy and steel plant to Franklin Furnace says the project is still on the radar and could, if all parties come together, be started within months.
Developer Jeff Albrecht said a meeting of the Thursday morning “think tank” was well-attended by local government officials, business leaders, State Rep. Dr. Terry Johnson, John W. Schultes, chairman and CEO of New Steel Inc., New Steel Controller Richard L. Keleman, and other interested citizens.
Albrecht said progress depends on several things, including finding a power company to purchase excess electricity produced by the plant. Officials met last week with representatives of AEP Ohio in an attempt to sell the power to that company.
New Steel also needs $200,000 to do a Hatch Study, which is a comprehensive investigation of the proposed project that would be beneficial for banks and other lending institutions to look at for potential investment. A Hatch Study looks at the product, the market for that product, the viability to make that product efficiently and market it competitively. They also look at the rate of return for investors.
“I’ve met with them (New Steel) numerous times, and listened to their story numerous times,” Albrecht said. “I’ve met with (Scioto County Commissioner) Tom (Reiser), Terry Johnson. I’ve heard everybody’s side of the story, and, first of all, I think it is a good investment, and I am personally going to put in some money into that $200,000. I personally decided to do that. I think some time it will be a good investment. But more than that, I’m investing in our community. I’m investing in the jobs. It’s a chance for jobs we so dearly need. I’m investing in our people, because we’re deserving of it.”
Other members of the business community have also indicated they will invest in the Hatch Study to help move the project ahead.
Albrecht said during the meeting the two saddest days in his life were when his two sons graduated from college and had to leave the area to find employment. He said he now has two daughters he hopes will be able to find work locally if jobs become available in the community.
“So I want to do something, and it is risky money, and it’s like going to the racetrack and betting a longshot,” Albrecht said. “If it pays off, it’s going to pay off big. But in the meantime, I am standing up for my community. And I am trying to do something to bring jobs here. And I feel like after seeing the numbers and looking at all the presentation, I feel like it’s worth a shot.”
Albrecht said the project has come to the point that every segment of local and state government and members of the community become involved in working together to bring the facility to fruition.
“For so long, people in government in other areas of the state have taken advantage of us,” Albrecht said. “So that’s why I’m doing this.”
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.
Not to worry on Grandson.
Two directions is his. If he's in the "in-crowd" the ones suckling off the public dole, then he's in for life. Then go to SSU and get some credentials, etc But I take it since you did not do that, he's not in with the in?
So, he's just got to get the High School Diploma and go elsewhere for college or stay here with SSU.
Then when he get that undergraduate degree and if he's smart, a graduate degree or two, he has a ticket that will take him anywhere in the world and he can come to visit you where ever you are and if he wants go back and visit Ptown when he can and wants. And he can retire here, if he wants but we are at the bottom of health and wellness, etc Look at the articles on the Health Coalitions.
God Speed............
We burn them and Tear them down.............
My grandson lives there and I worry. What will he do with his life?
1. Another Blow and go Ptown news article on another novice with not enough to do.
2. More fluff and bellowing of smoke and mirrors.
3. Whose money will it be? Is this the same gents that are making the latest deal for the City Building or really the city money?
4. The Think-Tank, that's sophisticated sounding if someone in this county knew how to even run a business meeting or balance the books without being connected to a Public Dole Faucet.
5. Hadsell was the last one who did this besides the Regular Dole "Rough Riders," CAO, SOGP, COAD, SOPA, et al. Except Hadsell had a dog in the hunt, his company and his money.
6. "other interested citizens" SOGP more secrecy? Like Gampp-gate with the USDA money?
7. Progress depends on several things the man tells us. Golly Gee. Power company, that mess is going on now for competition for our money supposedly to lower our rates with a 5 year contract, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
8. Officials, so much for Transparency. This is a committee of NGO's not the officials of government that are supposed to be in this mix, but someone who volunteers, uh huh, what is the hidden agenda cause he's a novice out of his league and over his head for Regional Economic Development and Growth, etc. Where's the CAO, The COAD, The Regional Commission, The SOPA, The city and The County??
9. Hatch Study, the City does not even follow the Hatch Act per the State's 2010 Audit and management letter.
10. That's just a marketing study and he talks like he's inventing the wheel. They still call Demolition, Tear-downs..... What about the Planning study and documents that the county got from the nuclear project to the north?
11. How did New Steel get there to begin with, just opened up, spending money with no planning like they do new businesses in Scioto County?
12. And, what is Albrecht's credentials to be a self proclaimed developer for this area? Well, he does not need any, anyone can just jump in, been going on for decades and look where we are at?
13. No one in Scioto County in leadership can run a City council meeting nor a balanced budget. Oh, NB can.
14. The Private Sector and the NGO"s will belly up to Albrecht's bar with $200,000, let's see that happen, it's not deep public pockets.
15. Is this a novice ambulance chaser who'll gamble on someone else's money, sounds like he's know his way around Las Vegas like other's in town. He's bet on long shots??
16, At least Albrecht is not visible on the City's Tax abatement list. (CTAL).
17. Long-shot, sounds more like a gambler than a business man, or even a Municipal Economic Development and Growth agent, a mover and shaker, etc. Big Pay off, uh huh......
What a Hoot this new player and gamer is.
Now I have to read what he's doing with 5th. 3rd and the City building where they want to put a Casino?
Well, we see that he's got one vote from Atlanta who wants to move back. How about her company moving to Scioto County with all the riches of landscape and 4 seasons that we have here, however, with articles and deals like this, "We don't think so?" Have to go to Georgia to get a heartfelt witness. God Bless her and offspring, and apologies for having to move away. We need a healing process for years of this on going with the current leaders who've been here and deal this hand for us. We need a "move back" movement not a Family Reunion like you see every election night at the court house, that should give you a clue.
I am trying to keep a roof over my head like everyone else.
Mr. Albrecht stated that two of the saddest days of his life was when his sons had to leave to find work. I had to move from Rosemount where I had spent the first 26 years of my life, As a single mother of 2 I had know choice but to leave to find work.
I have been in Atlanta over 20 years now and I am still homesick. My true friends are in Scioto County and I miss my family daily.
As a marketing & Sales Coordinator for a large company in the metro Atlanta area Mr. Albrecht's monitary support will speak volumes to New Steel. Maybe Mr. Albrecht should run for Gov.