Trump announces new Iowa steel plant that the White House says will be the nation’s biggest
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new steel plant in Iowa that he says will be the largest in United States’ history. The president hosted steel executives and several Iowa leaders Monday afternoon for the announcement at the White House.
The mill is being built by Mesabi Metallics, a Minnesota company owned by India-based Essar Group. It’s expected to create roughly 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent jobs in Iowa, with its first steel production in 2030.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ office said the permanent jobs are expected to pay more than $49 an hour.
The White House said it “will be fully vertically integrated in the U.S. (from iron mining through steel production).” It says it will also be able to support “important defense sector requirements for high-grade steel.”
The White House is framing it as part of Trump’s push to revitalize American steel. It comes as Trump is trying to energize Republican voters as his party faces challenging midterm elections. Iowa has found itself with competitive races for the Senate and the governor’s mansion this year.
Guests from Iowa at the announcement include Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Joni Ernst, Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashley Hinson, and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
Reynolds called the project “transformational” and said it would bring high-paying jobs, opportunities for local businesses and community development to southeast Iowa.
“I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to bringing steel manufacturing back to America, and Mesabi Metallics for choosing Iowa as its partner and future home,” Reynolds said in a statement. “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.”
Reynolds also said during the White House event that “tough negotiations” took place to secure the project.
However, significant details about the deal have not yet been made public.
“For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement. “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.”
Miller-Meeks’ office also said the project is expected to generate more than $95 billion in economic activity.