Courtesy MIRS News
“Project Tim,” the secret $4.5 to $5 billion, 24-million-square-foot project expected to produce 800 jobs in the Durand area of Shiawassee County is, MIRS has learned, a steel mill — supposedly to be the cleanest steel plant in the world — that will also generate electricity.
The Durand City Council heard a presentation written by the Durand City Manager Monday explaining what information is available to the public about the project without specifying what exactly the economic development is or who’s behind it. The presentation attributes Project Tim to “a small group of globally leading companies and experts.”
“We would strongly reiterate that the proposed project will set new standards for environmental performance worldwide making it the greenest facility of its kind anywhere in the world,” according to the presentation by Colleen O’Toole.
But the nature of the project is being kept under wraps while the developers work to assemble the 800-acre parcel needed for the project to go. The project is garnering statewide attention due to its massive size. The amount of land being purchased is larger than two European countries — the Vatican City and Monaco.
The project is not, yet, a done deal. The developers involved are still buying up land and don’t want to make a public decision until all the land is purchased, according to a source with knowledge about the project. Ohio may still be in the mix as a site for the project.
Rep. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) said once the details can be released, the project will go through all the hearings and approvals needed for any other project, so the public will have ample time to comment. For now, he said, all the information that can be made public is contained in the presentation.
The presentation said the plant size will be 6,200 feet by 3,900 feet and will require 10.5 million construction work hours to build. It’s being located in Durand and Vernon Township because they are centered between Flint and Lansing, the site has railroad access, has highway access, and has proximity to high voltage power lines. It will increase tax revenue, with the “tax foundation” estimated at $19.2 million annually.
To proceed, the company will have to complete an Environmental Assessment for the federal government.