Essar Steel Overdue On Payment To State

NASHWAUK (AP) - Essar Steel Minnesota is overdue on a payment it promised to the state for failing to meet project deadlines on the Iron Range taconite plant its building.

The company made a deal with Gov. Mark Dayton in December to pay back the $66 million in economic incentives it received for the Nashwauk project. The first payment of $10 million was due March 31.

Itasca County treasurer Jeff Walker is in charge of collecting the payment and turning it over to the state. Walker says the payment has not been made. State Rep. Tom Anzelc, chairman of the Iron Range delegation, also says the payment hasn't been made.

State officials say the Nashwauk project is less than 60 percent complete.