LorMet to Celebrate 90 Years with Open House Honoring Steel Mill Legacy

LorMet Community Federal Credit Union will commemorate its 90th Anniversary with a public Open House on Saturday, April 18th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at its Main Branch, located at 2051 Cooper Foster Park Road in Amherst. The event will celebrate the deep-rooted history between the former Lorain steel mill and LorMet’s 90-year evolution from the National Tube Lorain Works Employees’ Credit Union, founded in 1936.

The anniversary event will feature large-scale mural displays, historic steel mill memorabilia, and curated exhibits that highlight the story of the Lorain steel mill and its profound impact on the economic and social development of Lorain County. The displays reflect extensive historical research and collaboration, including efforts to collect and digitize archival photographs.

A centerpiece of the event will be a testimonial booth, where former mill workers, family members, and community residents will be invited to share personal experiences on how both the steel mill and LorMet shaped their lives. These audio and video recordings will later be shared with the Lorain Public Library System for inclusion in the Lorain County Memory project. The Lorain Public Library System was instrumental in providing LorMet with rarely seen historical photographs used in the anniversary murals.

“The steel mill didn’t just produce steel. It forged livelihoods, stability, and generational opportunity for families throughout our community. When we were chartered in 1936 as the National Tube Lorain Works Employees’ Credit Union, our mission was clear: to serve the hardworking men and women of the steel mill with dignity and fairness. The resilience, discipline, and deep community pride that defined the mill became the very character of LorMet. For 90 years, that cooperative foundation has sustained our strength and guided our growth. In an era that too often prioritizes profit over people, LorMet remains principled, member-owned, and unwaveringly community-centered.” – Daniel Cwalina, President and CEO of LorMet Community Federal Credit Union

Originally chartered in 1936, LorMet was founded to serve employees of the Lorain Steel Mill. Over the past nine decades, the institution has evolved into a full-service, large community credit union, while maintaining the core values forged in the industrial strength and resilience of its founding membership.

The Open House is designed as both a historical reflection and a celebration of a 90-year milestone rooted in perseverance, shared purpose, and community advancement. Community members are encouraged to attend, explore the exhibits, and contribute their stories to help preserve Lorain County’s industrial and financial heritage for future generations. RSVPs are not required to attend, and additional Open Houses will be scheduled at a later date.

For more information about the 90th Anniversary Open House, contact LorMet Community Federal Credit Union at LorMet90thSteelOpen@LorMet.com