ICYMI: President Trump Announces Largest-Ever Steel Plant Coming to Iowa

President Donald J. Trump announced a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel complex is coming to Iowa — the largest steel plant ever built in the United States as more industrial capacity comes home. The project will create 1,750 new, permanent jobs, support up to 6,000 construction jobs, and generate an estimated $95 billion in U.S. economic output over construction and the first decade of operations.

Iowa leaders are heralding the “transformational” investment:

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: “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. 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. 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.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird: “This massive investment is the largest steel plant project in U.S. History. It means over 1,750 good-paying, family-supporting, steel working jobs for Southeast Iowa. This announcement is not just good news for Iowa, it’s good for the entire country. Thanks to President Trump for his leadership and continued commitment to American jobs for American citizens and to Governor Reynolds for her hard work bringing this great opportunity to Iowa.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley: “GR8 NEWS Mesabi Metallics will build a $15 BILLION steel mill in IA Remember GOP is working 2 bring down costs 4 families + create jobs This historic investment is AMERICA FIRST+builds on success of our Working Families Tax Cuts law which also prevented largest tax increase ever”

Sen. Joni Ernst: “Proud to join @POTUS today announcing a historic $15 BILLION investment in eastern Iowa, the largest steel plant in American history, and over 1700 permanent jobs in Iowa! Thank you, President Trump, for bringing jobs, investment, and American manufacturing back home!”

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: “For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore. 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.”

Rep. Ashley Hinson: “This will be a game-changing investment for our state — creating 1,700 jobs & incredible opportunities for growth. There is no better place to invest and build than in Iowa because we have the best people.”

Rep. Zach Nunn: “This is a major opportunity for Southeast Iowa: Mesabi Metallics’ proposed $15 billion investment in Lee County could support 1,700 good-paying jobs and produce American steel right here in Iowa. We’ve worked to bring manufacturing home and secured nearly $5 million to strengthen skilled trades training at DMACC, Iowa Western, and Indian Hills. Now, we need to make sure Iowa workers have the skills to be first in line for these jobs and ready to build the next generation of American steel.”

Iowa Congressional Delegation: “This historic investment is a major win for Iowa workers and further cements Iowa’s role in the future of American manufacturing. As the largest steel plant investment in U.S. history, this project will generate over 1,700 good-paying Iowa jobs, create new opportunities for Iowa families, and drive economic growth. Iowa has the workforce, work ethic, resources, and business climate to compete with anyone, and we are proud to welcome this project to our state. The administration’s pro-American manufacturing policies are incentivizing companies to invest, build, and create jobs in the U.S. We thank Governor Reynolds for her leadership in making Iowa a great place to do business and ensuring our state benefits from these policies by attracting transformational investments like this one.”

Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Grassley: “This project would be a gamechanger for southeast Iowa and leave a lasting impact on our state’s manufacturing footprint. 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.”

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh: “For years, we have been passing legislation to help Iowa grow, draw people to our rural communities, and strengthen our state’s economy. Iowa has an opportunity to bring billions of dollars of investment into our state, good quality jobs, and bring people to a part of Iowa looking for growth. These are the kinds of opportunities we have been looking for and that Iowa needs. As we look to remain competitive on the national level, the largest private investment in Iowa history makes it clear our state is open for business.”

Iowa State Rep. Carter Nordman: “$15 BILLION dollar investment in Iowa (largest ever, by far)! Thank you President Donald J. Trump & Governor Kim Reynolds for your leadership on this historic project!”

Iowa State Rep. Austin Harris: “HUGE day for Iowa! The President is announcing a $15 billion investment to build America’s largest steel mill right here in our state — more than 1,750 good-paying jobs for Iowa families. This didn’t happen by accident. For years, Iowa has done the hard work of cutting taxes, slashing red tape, and making it cheaper and faster to build here than almost anywhere else in the country. Companies don’t drop $15 billion on a handshake. They go where the rules are clear, the tax climate is competitive, and the workforce can get the job done. That’s Iowa. We made ourselves the place they wanted to be. Now it will pay off in paychecks, apprenticeships, suppliers, and communities that will feel this for a generation. I am proud of this state and proud of the workers who are about to make history. Iowa is open for business! Let’s get to work!”

Iowa State Rep. Blaine Watkins: “To have one of the largest steel plants in American history built right here in Lee County would be a huge win for our area. It would mean thousands of high-paying, dependable jobs that would give young Iowans a reason to stay, grow their families, and thrive right here in Southeast Iowa. I’ve been fighting for this kind of opportunity in the Iowa House, and I will fight to get this project over the finish line in the Iowa House.”

Iowa State Rep. Matt Rinker: “As a Burlington native, I recognize this announcement for what it is: a once-in-a-generation economic development victory for Iowa. Since being elected to the Iowa House, my priorities have included securing high-paying careers to ensure more people can call Iowa home, and keeping our state competitive in manufacturing apprenticeships and training. The announcement of one of the largest steel plants in American history built right here in Iowa shows that the work we’ve done at the Statehouse, including reducing the tax burden and keeping government spending fiscally responsible is working. In the House, I will fight to deliver this opportunity for my district.”

Lee County (IA) Economic Development Group President and CEO Emily Benjamin: “Today is a great day for eastern Iowa. A $15 billion investment with more than 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent jobs would be transformational for our region, and we congratulate Mesabi Metallics on today’s announcement.”

Burlington (IA) Mayor Jon Billups: “What’s great for the southeast Iowa region is great for Burlington and what’s great for Burlington is great for southeast Iowa.”

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad: “Steel mill will deliver overwhelming benefits to Iowa”

Mesabi Metallics Chairman Rewant Ruia: “Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing back the importance of building things in America. With the new steel complex in Iowa, we will complete the fully integrated American supply chain from mine to mill. American ore carried on American railroads to an American steel plant powered by American energy, built and operated by an incredibly hardworking and talented American workforce.”

Mesabi Metallics CEO Joe Broking: “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.”

Export-Import Bank of the United States Chairman John Jovanovic: “What we’re really talking about today is America’s economic security… What you see here today is private capital flowing in to rebuild America and to build America’s future.”

American Iron and Steel Institute President and CEO Kevin Dempsey: “President Trump’s Section 232 steel tariffs continue to energize the American iron and steel industry. AISI welcomes today’s announcement of another significant new investment in steelmaking in the United States. The sizeable investment by Mesabi Metallics in the new Iowa plant and also its Nashwauk, Minnesota, iron ore mine will further boost U.S. ironmaking and steelmaking capacity, create jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy.”

The Boyd Company Principal John Boyd: “This is coming to Lee County, an area in Iowa really in dire need of revitalization. This is the right project at the right time.”

America First Policy Institute: “President Trump announces a historic $15 BILLION steel plant coming to Iowa — the largest in American history. 6,000 construction jobs. Nearly 2,000 permanent jobs. 10 MILLION tons of American steel produced every year. American steel is BACK.”