July 24, 2002--

The biggest business in the Escalante area has been saved, a shutdown averted, people going back to work.

The explanation involves four brothers, a lot of faith, and a community that came together.

News Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.

The logs are moving. The saws are spinning. The place is humming. The Escalante Sawmill is back in business.

STEPHEN STEED/SAWMILL MANAGER: "YEAH WE ARE, YOU KNOW, IT'S NICE TO SMELL FRESH SAWDUST FOR A CHANGE."

Stephen Steed pretty much presided over the funeral of the plant last winter. The sawmill was losing money. Shutting down. 50 people out of work.

Now, in a summer surprise, they're all going back to work.

STEPHEN STEED/SAWMILL MANAGER: "YES. HAH, HAH. I AM SURPRISED."

Here are 4 good reasons it happened: Stephen Steed and three of his brothers. Fourth generation lumbermen, they all work here.

When things were bleak, their Mom told them, "Buy the place. Or else."

The "Or Else" was that the family would scatter because everyone would leave town looking for work. The brothers bought the place.

STEPHEN STEED/SAWMILL MANAGER: "THIS IS OUR HOME. AND WE FELT LIKE IT'S WORTH THE RISK TO DO WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TO MAKE THIS THING WORK."

JOHN HOLLENHORST, REPORTING: "THEY PULLED IT OFF THROUGH A COMBINATION OF STATE GRANTS, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE LOANS. AND THE STEED BROTHERS THEMSELVES, PUTTING EVERYTHING THEY OWNED ON THE LINE."

STEPHEN STEED/SAWMILL MANAGER: "I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY HOURS OF LOST SLEEP I'VE HAD OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, JOHN. WE'VE LOST A LOT OF SLEEP, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO PAY OFF."

Falando Nez is one of dozens who got his old job back.

FALANDO NEZ/SAWMILL WORKER: "WE HAD A BABY NOT TOO LONG AGO. AND IT'S GONNA WORK OUT REALLY GOOD NOW BECAUSE WE'RE ALL BACK TO WORK."

The brothers may be surprised the deal came together, but some workers aren't.

MARK LISONBEE/SAWMILL MECHANIC: "THEY'RE REALLY DOWN TO EARTH. AND WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GONNA DO, THEY DO." Q: "AND THEY DID." A: "AND THEY DID! HAH, HAH. HAH."

The brothers still have to prove the sawmill can make money. With 53 jobs in a town of 800, the hopes of a whole community are along for the ride.

The Steeds say they've had help from numerous government agencies and strong support from the town of Escalante and several surrounding counties.