LACKAWANA, N.Y. — Work is underway to turn part of the former Bethlehem Steel site into a raw sugar refinery.

Empire State Development says crews are demolishing the interior of three abandoned structures at the Lackawanna site and refurbishing them.

It's all part of a $19 million project by Sucro Sourcing, a Miami-based sugar cane refiner.

ESD says the project is expected to create 55 full-time jobs in the next three to five years.

When the refinery opens in 2024, the facility is expected to produce 300,000 tons of refined sugar per year.