Friday deadline no longer an issue for V&M, city says

YOUNGSTOWN — Even though a final deal between Youngstown and Girard officials won’t be done before Friday, there is no concern that V&M Star Steel will kill the potential $970 million expansion project here, Youngstown's finance director said.

V&M wanted a deal done by Friday on land needed for its potential expansion.

But enough progress between the two cities has been made that the company isn’t concerned that a written contract between the two cities won’t be finalized by Friday, Youngstown Finance Director David Bozanich said.

“We’ve made significant progress,” he said. “The framework is in place. We have to get it wrapped up shortly.”

V&M officials have declined to discuss the deal.

Officials with V&M, Youngstown and Girard met Monday and came to a tentative deal.

The deal calls for Girard to lose 192 acres to Youngstown.

As a condition of the potential expansion, V&M officials insist that the land be in Youngstown.

The boundary line change still needs the approval of Girard City Council, whose members say they support it, as well as county commissioners in Mahoning and Trumbull.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com