Mittal Steel USA is focusing its Katrina rebuilding efforts on the beachfront town of Long Beach, Miss., which was devastated by the recent hurricane.

As part of its adoption, the company will work with individuals, churches, communities, local companies and organizations in partnership with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and the mayor of Long Beach, Billy Skellie, to rebuild the community. Mittal Steel USA has committed to an ongoing contribution of materials, people and capital for the long-term reconstruction project.

The company will commit $1 million for the first phase of its Long Beach effort, which will focus on the community’s most urgent needs. In this phase, which is scheduled to begin immediately, the company plans to install a team of engineers and logistics specialists, along with their spouses, in the center of Long Beach. This team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the area, the physical impact of Hurricane Katrina and the most urgent needs of the community.

In the second phase, the company will participate in the actual rebuilding of Long Beach. The team will oversee and direct the company's financial and operational contributions to the rebuilding effort and serve as the link between the resources of Mittal Steel USA and the community of Long Beach.

"Mittal Steel USA wants to help rebuild this community, not just replace its structures, through direct and personal involvement," said Louis Schorsch, CEO of Mittal Steel USA. "We are sensitive to both the immediate and the long-term needs of the people of Long Beach. As the largest steel producer in the United States, we feel that it is our responsibility to offer not only materials and cash, but expertise and assistance to help them rebuild. By having highly skilled Mittal Steel staff on the ground, we will be able to assist the leadership and citizens of Long Beach personally, address ongoing procurement and logistics needs, and ensure that resources are deployed effectively and quickly. We have all been moved by this tragedy, and we are committed to making a real difference."

Mittal Steel USA's rebuilding efforts in Long Beach are supported by the United Steelworkers and the Independent Steelworkers Union, which represent the company's production and maintenance employees in the United States.

"The effects of Hurricane Katrina on the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are heartbreaking, and it will take years to rebuild the affected communities," said Lakshmi Mittal, CEO of Mittal Steel Co. "In the aftermath of this disaster, these communities are left with challenges that require innovative, long-term solutions and substantial commitments of both time and resources. Few cities were more devastated than Long Beach, and, to address its needs, we have created a new model for corporate partnership. We encourage other American companies to adopt Long Beach and other affected communities along the Gulf Coast. Together with the people of Long Beach, Governor Barbour and Mayor Skellie, we will make a tangible, lasting difference in the community and link its residents to the entire Mittal Steel family for years to come."

With a history dating back more than 150 years, Long Beach, Miss., is a beachfront community covering 10 square miles. It is home to approximately 17,000 people.

Mittal Steel USA is North America's largest steelmaker and serves a broad U.S. manufacturing base. The company was formed in April 2005 and consists of Ispat Inland Inc. and Mittal Steel USA ISG Inc., formerly International Steel Group. It has operations in 12 states of the United States.

Mittal Steel Co. NV is the world's largest and most global steel company. The company has operations in 14 countries, on four continents. Mittal Steel encompasses all aspects of modern steelmaking, to produce a comprehensive portfolio of both flat and long steel products to meet a wide range of customer needs. It serves all the major steel consuming sectors, including automotive, appliance, machinery and construction. For 2004, Mittal Steel had revenues of US$22.2 billion and steel shipments of 42.1 million tons.