GOUVERNEUR --  Gouverneur’s defunct Riverside Ironworks will reopen under new ownership and create at least 12 jobs with help from local economic development agencies.

The St. Lawrence County IDA Local Development Corporation is providing Riverside Iron, LLC with funding in the amount of $200,000 through the River Valley Redevelopment Agency and Greater Massena Economic Development loan funds to assist in the restart of the former Riverside Ironworks facility in Gouverneur.

The project is expected to create at least 12 jobs in the next three years, according IDA CEO Patrick J. Kelly. He said this and other recent projects are a good sign for the county.

“There is a pattern of more activity in the County right now. Obviously we like to see new companies come to the area, and putting underutilized facilities back into production is very positive.”

Riverside Iron, LLC will occupy the former Riverside Ironworks facility, which closed in in downtown Gouverneur two years ago.

The project will transfer ownership from Duane Winters Riverside Iron Works Corporation to Eric Tessmer, Riverside Iron, LLC, and will enable the new company to restart operations in the 11,000 square foot facility and once again fabricate miscellaneous, ornamental and structural steel.

The company is optimistic that it will be able to both build on the client base from the former Riverside Ironworks and add new customers from throughout the Northeast.

St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency Director Robert McNeil said he is pleased that the project will create jobs over a short period of time.