GARY, Ind. (AP) _ Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has visited U.S. Steel's plant in Gary amid hundreds of layoffs at the northern Indiana facility.

Pence toured Gary Works on Thursday at the invitation of the Pittsburgh steelmaker. The plant let go of hundreds at Gary Works when it closed its coke plant and dismissed all new hires who started in the last six months.

The (Munster) Times reports (http://bit.ly/1JwoKXE ) Pence talked about challenges to the steel industry, including layoffs and a market downturn. He told workers the state will partner with U.S. Steel and that “Indiana is on the side of steel.''

Pence said the steel industry is one of the most important employers in the state. He said the state would do everything it could to keep the steel industry strong.
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