Once the largest steel mill in the world, the Sparrows Point shipyard in Maryland will provide new jobs in Baltimore as a manufacturer of wind turbine parts.
The United Steelworkers union (USW) announced this month that it will partner with US Wind as it transforms the former steel mill into a manufacturing facility supporting the growth of offshore wind energy.
US Wind plans to use the site to make the monopile foundations needed for their offshore wind developments, including their maiden MarWin project consisting of 22-turbines.
The union has pledged to work with the company to recruit and train local workers, while supporting workers’ rights to unionize and collectively bargain.
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“The loss of the Sparrows Point steel mill, which once employed thousands of workers, was a huge blow to the Baltimore community and to U.S. manufacturing as a whole,” said USW International President Tom Conway. “Now, we have a chance to create the jobs of the future right here on this historic site and ensure that they are good, union jobs that will again support families across this region.”
Catalyzed by a 90-acre lease agreement and $150 million investment by US Wind, the plant is expected to support more than 500 permanent jobs, as well as 3,500 construction jobs to prepare the site.
Welcoming steel back to the storied Sparrows Point site is truly a full-circle moment that shareholders hope will create a ripple effect of jobs and prosperity to power Maryland’s post-COVID economy.
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“Sparrows Point has always been hallowed ground for me and my fellow Steelworkers,” said USW’s Jim Strong. “We’re thrilled to be a part of US Wind’s visionary plans to bring steel back to Baltimore, back to this hallowed ground.”
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