J&M Steel, 501 N. Second St., is the most recent winner of Ironton In Bloom’s Business of the Month Award. Owners are brothers John and Mark Maynard who purchased the business six years ago.

The original structure was built in the 1860s and became Meehan Steel in 1917. The Maynards first ran the Ironton Machine Shop for 20 years.

Combining the two businesses and investing in major expansion and modernization, J&M, according to Bob Bro, plant manager, now employs 16 workers and is growing rapidly.

“We have a large commercial base and also take walk-in customers,” Bro said. “We’ve installed computer programs and have an up-to-date designing and engineering department. We custom-make structural platforms, tanks, buildings, several bridges in the area, ductwork, just about anything made of steel. We are on call 24 hours a day and have trucks to transport the structures we make here.”

He speaks proudly of the steel plant’s history and of the vision and courage the Maynard Brothers had to have to invest in a small town business.

“But it has certainly paid off,” he said.

Ironton In Bloom bestows its award bi-monthly to businesses that make a significant effort to maintain a neat and attractive interior and exterior that adds to the appearance of their neighborhood.

If you would like to nominate a business for this award call Jan Wolfe at 740-532-1030 or send the nomination to irontoninbloom@zoominternet.net.