SOLVAY -- An Onondaga County Legislature committee has given its OK to tax breaks for the new owner of Crucible Steel in Solvay. On Monday, the Planning and Economic Development committee unanimously approved an application by Crucible Industries LLC to place the plant into an Empire zone.

If the full legislature approves, up to 75 percent of the property taxes on the plant would be reimbursed by the state. The owners would also qualify for a $15-hundred dollar wage tax credit for every worker they hire.

Kim Hall of the Office of Economic Development says he talked with the new owners over the weekend and received assurances that Crucible Industries will rehire 160 former steelworkers, along with 60 other new hires, and more to follow as business improves. Hall also told lawmakers that Crucible Industries has "signed contracts" with customers for the steel and tools that would be manufactured at the plant. Hall said the company has applied for an $8-million dollar low interest loan from the state.

J.P. Industries of Cleveland, Ohio recently purchased the plant at a recent bankruptcy auction.

The President of Crucible Industries, Jim Beckman said he was "very pleased" to hear the legislative committee approved the Empire zone.  Beckman says the company hopes to begin hiring workers early next month and re-start the plant in mid-November. 

Beckman said the $8-million dollar loan from the state was for "working capital to get us going." 

Beckman confirmed that "business is booked already", but would not be more specific about contracts Crucible has secured.