Obama visit highlights changed steel industry

Obama visit highlights changed steel industry

PITTSBURGH (AP) — As President Barack Obama plans to visit a Pittsburgh-area steel mill, surrounding communities are struggling to adapt to a home-grown business that is increasingly driven by global pressures.

Obama is scheduled to speak at U.S. Steel’s Irvin plant this afternoon. Local communities still take pride in the industry, but a bitter fight over tax assessments is changing the relationship.

Last year U.S. Steel challenged local tax assessments in several communities where it has plants and won major reductions. Legal negotiations are ongoing, but for now some school boards and municipalities have had to cope with cuts in revenue.

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone says the company isn’t commenting about the assessment issue, but in general innovation, work force development and fair trade are critical issues for the industry.