The new machine took a lot of manual labor out of the process, and led to a multi-fold increase in safety, Favreau said.

The increase in volume allowed the company to add jobs. James said Jeffords Steel has hired four people for its Steel Service Center because it can supply rebar to so many more jobs.

James said the main use for rebar is to reinforce concrete.

"If concrete breaks or cracks, this will reinforce it," he said.

Favreau said that when you think of all the buildings with reinforced concrete foundations in this area, that is a tremendous demand for rebar. Jeffords Steel recently secured another contract for a windmill project, and James said it takes more than 55,000 pounds of rebar for the foundation of each of the giant towers.

dheath@pressrepublican.com