COLUMBUS — The Ohio Rail Development Commission on Thursday approved a $500,000 grant to JSW Steel USA to assist with two on-site rail projects at its Mingo Junction operations.

The projects will support a recently announced $145 million expansion at the facility, which will allow JSW to better serve the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.

“Rail transportation is one of the many aspects that are integral to everyday business operations and is vital to the steel industry. We look forward to our partnership with the ORDC which gives us confidence to continue to invest in Ohio Valley. Investing in our infrastructure will facilitate successful completion of our growth projects,” said Jonathan Shank, chief operating officer of JSW Steel USA Mingo Junction.

The projects combined are estimated at $5.1 million and will increase JSW’s finished product and scrap processing capacity.

As a result of the project, JSW will commit to creating 26 new jobs and will retain 400 jobs.

The first of the two planned projects is an expansion of the Norfolk Southern/Wheeling & Lake Erie shared yard and is designed to expand capacity from 184 car spots to 351. An interplant loop track will be installed to improve JSW’s internal logistics.

The second project is the expansion of JSW’s rail infrastructure for scrap and iron storage and handling yard on the south side of JSW’s Mingo Junction property. The project will install approximately 3,360 linear feet of track and four rail switches to maintain the scrap processing volumes required to support 125,000 tons of slab production monthly.

“It is always our goal to support our partners at JobsOhio and the Jefferson County Port Authority to promote investment and employment opportunities in the region. JSW’s continued growth and success in the region is a testament to its commitment toward the future,” added Matthew Dietrich, executive director of the rail commission.