Gulf Coast Steel Initiative Lays Foundation—Challenges, But Optimism Are Ahead

A site visit to the Gulf Coast in February confirmed what Gulf Coast Steel Initiative (GCSI) team members expected— that local officials and homebuilders are open to learning the benefits of rebuilding their area stronger with steel. But the visit also highlighted significant challenges that people of the region are facing to put their lives back together.

The GCSI, authorized by AISI's Board of Directors and supported by 12 North American steel companies, is in the preparatory stages of implementing long-term strategies to positively impact future construction practices in this hurricane-devastated region. The focus is on the residential framing and roofing markets and on recycling.

Research with regional focus groups conducted by the National Association of Home Builders shows that builders are ready to move ahead in the rebuilding process, but are being held back by pending changes to building codes, zoning restrictions, and the development of FEMA criteria to address labor and material shortages. While receptive to steel solutions, they need assistance in making a business case for a steel-framed system unique to the region, which is being addressed by the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA). Another challenge they face is rebuilding a skilled workforce, an issue being addressed by both the SFA and the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), which are working with community colleges to set up training sessions for students wanting to learn how to work with steel framing and roofing. In addition, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) is working with state and local Departments of Environmental Quality to assess the recycling need and to reestablish the SRI recycling database, which provides information essential to the clean up and recycling of steel products.

These preparatory efforts are paving the way to the next phase of the Gulf Coast Steel Initiative's strategy-to begin training a workforce to facilitate the long-term rebuilding of homes and replacement of roofs throughout the Gulf Coast region. For more information, contact Debbie Bennett.