NEW BOSTON — The Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA) announced Wednesday that its members will sign a purchase agreement Monday for Infra-Metals to construct and operate a $13 million steel plant in New Boston. The new plant is expected to add 100 jobs to Scioto County.

Infra-Metals of Wallingford, Conn., is a subsidiary of Reliance Steel and one of the largest steel distributors in the Unites States. Infra-Metals President Mark Haight and Plant Manager Don Prebola will join SOPA members and local dignitaries at the signing on Monday.

"The national economic downturn of 2008 delayed this project, but that didn't keep us from moving forward and bring jobs to New Boston and Scioto County," said New Boston Mayor and SOPA board member James Warren.

Infra-Metals will join SFI of Ohio, OSCO and A&M Refractory in the New Boston Industrial Park. Warren said the board has also been working to bring two more companies to the industrial park, and he expects to make that announcement soon.

"This project and others at the New Boston Industrial Park was made possible through over $2 million in federal, state and local grants that were used for such purposes of brownfield restoration and infrastructure development," SOPA Vice Chairman Bob Walton Sr. said.

Warren said their goal is to begin construction in June, for full operation in the fall.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.