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Iowa

Largest American steel plant coming to Southeast Iowa

By Sharon Wren,

2 hours ago

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Plans to bring a new steel plant to Southeast Iowa were announced at a news conference at the White House this afternoon.

President Donald Trump, along with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Ashley Hinson, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Mesabi Metallics CEO Joe Broking and Chairman Rewant Ruia, announced that Mesabi plans to invest about $15 billion in a new steel plant in Lee County. The project is expected to create about 1,750 full-time jobs.

“We currently have $47 billion in projects announced or underway in the steel sector alone,” Trump said during the press conference. “More than four million tons of new crude steelmaking capacity is expected to become operational in less than two years. We've created nearly 60,000 new manufacturing jobs this year alone, many of them in the steel industry, and today we're adding even more-the largest American steel plant of all time.”

“This is a transformational opportunity for our country, our state, and American families—one that strengthens national security, creates thousands of high-paying jobs, and provides a reliable supply of high-quality, American-made steel for strategic goods and everyday products,” Governor Reynolds said. “Our commitment in Iowa to fiscal responsibility, tax competitiveness, and long-term economic stability has created one of the nation’s strongest environments for business investment. Now, this opportunity will fundamentally change the economic trajectory of our state and the entire region for decades to come.”

"This project would be a gamechanger for southeast Iowa and leave a lasting impact on our state’s manufacturing footprint,” said Speaker of the House Pat Grassley. “This will bring real jobs that mean stable careers for working families, giving more young people a chance to proudly call Iowa home. I’ve made it my mission in the Iowa House to make sure we bring opportunities for growth to all parts of the state and delivering this plant follows through on that promise.”

"For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore," said Rep. Miller-Meeks. "The largest steel plant in America is coming to Lee County with more than 1,700 permanent, good-paying jobs. I'm proud to have helped make this historic investment a reality. There's no better place than Iowa to make things IN America, BY Americans."

“This is a major moment for U.S. made steel, combining the highest quality direct-reduction grade iron ore pellet from Minnesota’s Iron Range with the most advanced DRI to EAF steelmaking technology in Iowa to supply the high-quality, all-American steel that our national defense, cars and trucks, shipbuilding, household appliances, energy, and infrastructure depend on,” said Joe Broking, CEO of Mesabi Metallics.

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