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It was 115 years ago that E.T. Weir and J.C. Williams brought what then was known as the Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate Co. to an area just north of the quiet community of Holliday's Cove in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Setting up additional operations, building a company town and attracting new people to the area, the company would later become known as Weirton Steel.
Through its long and storied history, whether it be as Weirton Steel, a part of National Steel, or components of ISG, ArcelorMittal or Cleveland-Cliffs, the mill and its operations have been a centerpiece of the Weirton community.
It has provided a livelihood for generations of area residents who chose to raise their families here. The mill showed support for the community in numerous ways, including contributions to local nonprofits and civic groups, assisting municipal services, sponsoring community celebrations and much more.
Unfortunately, it appears that it's a legacy that soon will be coming to an end as Cleveland-Cliffs officials announced one week ago they will be shutting down tinplate operations in April following a recent decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission concerning tariffs on imported tin products.
The company will go on, but it leaves the more than 900 employees, their families and, quite frankly, the region, facing a great deal of uncertainty about the future. Will those soon to be out of work be able to stay here, or will they go elsewhere to find employment? Will local stores and restaurants see a reduction in business? What about other industries in the area that relied on the product produced by the local tin operation?
An appeal of the ruling is sure to follow, but even if that move would be successful, there are no guarantees that Cleveland-Cliffs would change its mind about the status of the Weirton facility. In any case, there's only a limited amount of time between now and when the closure will be complete.
The region still has opportunities on the horizon, with new industries coming into the area, but make no mistake: The idling of the tin mill -- the final component left from what once was one of the top integrated steelmakers in the world, Weirton Steel -- will have an impact on local residents and businesses for years to come.