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Ameristeel Boss Talks Economy

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: February 18, 2009

TAMPA - The president and chief executive of the fourth largest steel company in North America, Tampa-based Gerdau Ameristeel, said Tuesday the Obama administration must manage the psychology of the economic recovery for the government's stimulus package to become effective.

"The past is gone," Mario Longhi told 400 visiting steel and shipping executives gathered for the second day of the Port of Tampa's 20th annual Steel Conference.

"This is a new government and with it an opportunity - if the nation comes together," Longhi said.

One example of how Tampa can leverage this situation is to take the opportunity to develop a rail system to improve local transportation, Longhi said.

The steel industry has been in decline since the second half of 2008, when the global financial crisis emerged.

The housing downturn and recession have struck Florida hard, so officials at the Port of Tampa, which leads the state in handling steel products, remain cautious about the steel sector this year.

Steel tonnage at the port declined 55 percent to 153,514 tons in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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