National Demand For Steel Benefits Indiana Manufacturers

Photo: Mike Leaky (Flickr)

Steel is in demand across the country. Steel is used in many construction projects including bridges.

The nationwide demand for steel is increasing with higher demand for cars, trucks and oil and gas equipment, according to a Ball State University report.

Ball State Center for Business and Economic Research Director Dagney Faulk says it is a trend likely to create more jobs in steel centers like Gary, Indiana.

“Steel production has been increasing in the U.S. and that‘s particularly good for mid-western states because there are a lot of steel plants in the part of the country,” he says.

Gary is home to Gary Works, U.S. Steel‘s largest plant in the nation. Faulk says steel production came in at 2,003 thousand net tons in April 2012. That is up from 1,814 thousand net tons a year ago – a 10.4 percent increase. Faulk says analysts are optimistic production will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.