EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Vinton Steel, owned by Japanese company Kyoei Steel, broke ground on a major expansion that is estimated to create nearly 200 jobs at the plant and create nearly $18 billion in economic impact for the local economy over the next 35 to 40 years, officials said.
County and business officials are touting this as an historic project and one of the most significant business investments in the Borderland’s history
Monday, Aug. 25, local, state and community leaders gathered to break ground on what is being called Project V.
This project will modernize and expand the steel mill’s operations by more than 1.5 million square feet, officials said.
Upon completion, the facility is expected to double its production capacity of recycled steel products, including reinforcing bars and grinding balls, and will integrate cutting-edge technology that is aimed at reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency, officials said.
Project highlights include:
- Total capital investment: $255 million
- New full-time jobs: 188
- Total jobs supported (El Paso County by 2062): 2,076
- Cumulative local output (2027–2062): $17.9 billion
- County tax revenue (2027–2062): $38.9 million
- Incentives package: $4.1 million in tax rebates and training grants.
“This expansion marks a pivotal moment not only for Vinton Steel but for the entire region,” said Hideichiro Takashima, chairman of Kyoei Steel, LTD, the parent company for Vinton Steel.
“Project V is an investment in sustainable growth, innovation and the long-term prosperity of El Paso County and the Village of Vinton,” he added.
Located on 230 acres off Interstate 10 in the northwestern part of El Paso County, Vinton Steel is the largest employer in the Village of Vinton.
The expansion is expected to create 188 new full-time jobs, with potential to support 2,000 regional jobs by 2062, officials said.
The total economic impact is projected to be more than $17.9 billion over the next 36 years, officials said.
Construction is expected to continue through early 2027, generating more than 250 construction-related jobs in El Paso County. This phase alone is expected to generate $112.9 million in regional economic impact, officials said.
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego told KTSM that the local area was not just competing against the rest of Texas to have this expansion
“If we hadn’t gotten this, it would have gone to another country or to some other state,” Samaniego said.
Samaniego said that luring manufacturing to the El Paso region is important for the area’s economy and future.
“And these are high-paying new jobs. Manufacturing is very important for El Paso,” Samaniego said. “We are trying to sell ourselves as a manufacturing community. This is really going to show what we are capable of doing that. Manufacturing is going to be really important for El Paso and this is the first step in that direction.”
Samaniego also said that this will help spur growth in the Vinton area too.
“What happens with job creation, people want to come and live by where they work,” Samaniego said. “This will create more opportunities for that. We’ll have housing, economic development.”
This project also sends a message that Vinton and El Paso County are a great place to do business, Samaniego said.
Here are what other local leaders are saying about this project:
County Commissioner Sergio Coronado, who represents the area where the project is located, said:
“The Village of Vinton and El Paso County are proud to stand alongside Vinton Steel in this transformative expansion. Project V will not only boost our local economy with hundreds of new jobs but also set a standard for innovation and environmental stewardship in the steel industry. This is a win for our community, our workforce, and our future.”
Vinton Mayor Rachel Quintana said:
“This expansion is more than an investment in steel, it’s an investment in people, in progress, and in the future of Vinton. With innovation, sustainability, and community at the core, we’re proving that small towns can lead the way in building a stronger, cleaner, and more resilient economy.”
Borderplex Alliance CEO Jon Barela highlighted the regional significance of the project. He said:
“In an era when reclaiming our manufacturing strength and adopting green technologies to cut emissions and boost efficiency are essential, this facility and our region are leading the way. My thanks to the political leadership in Vinton, El Paso County, and the state of Texas for helping us realize this tremendous project. It will create hundreds of well-paying jobs, drive economic growth, and build lasting prosperity for families across the Borderplex region.”
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