(Columbus, Mississippi October 6, 2006): With hiring plans drawing near, interest in jobs at SeverCorr – America’s newest steel-producing company – has been strong. In conjunction with The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), SeverCorr has received applications from over 9,000 individuals looking to fill the estimated 450 total plant positions that will be required to operate the new facility currently under construction in Lowndes County.

Screening of applicants has been ongoing since late-summer. Approximately 25 hourly positions will be filled through the remainder of 2006 as the first production area of the SeverCorr facility – a pickling line responsible for cleansing Hot Roll steel prior to subsequent processing – is tested and brought on-line. On this line, some workers experienced in steel manufacturing will team with other new hires to learn the new operation.

“We have heard from a very deep pool of applicants, representing a wide range of locations and skills,” said John Bell, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SeverCorr. “We’re particularly heartened by the enthusiasm from local applicants for a new industry in the Golden Triangle area. I’m confident we’ll be able to form a workforce that combines their enthusiasm with others experienced in the steel industry to build a talented workforce that will make SeverCorr, and the region, successful.”

Plans call for more aggressive hiring beginning in 2007 with 20 to 40 positions being hired each month through 2007 as construction on additional portions of the mill is completed and operations begin. Applications for hourly positions are still being accepted through the MDES e-application available online at http://www.mdes.ms.gov or through the SeverCorr Web site at http://www.severcorr.com.

About SeverCorr LLC: SeverCorr was formed in 2003 to design, engineer, build and operate a state-of-the-art steel facility to service growing manufacturing opportunities in the Southern United States. In October of 2005, SeverCorr broke ground on a next-generation steel mill near Columbus, Mississippi. When complete in mid-2007, the plant will produce 1.5 million tons of high-quality steels a year for use in the automotive, building, agricultural, pipe & tube, and appliance industries. Future expansion includes a second production line that will double capacity, as well as space for production partners and manufacturers on the company’s 1400-acre mega-site.

CONTACT:

Mark Bula
662-848-0992 Ext. 125
mbula@mktgminds.com