Ernst Joins President Trump to Tout Transformative $15 Billion Steel Investment in Iowa

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined President Donald Trump at the White House to announce a $15 billion investment by Mesabi Metallics to build a new steel mill in eastern Iowa.

Watch Senator Ernst’s statement here.

“I am grateful to President Trump for securing this historic deal that will create thousands of jobs for Iowans,” said Ernst. “As chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, I’ve long advocated to make ‘Made in America’ the norm and not the exception. I am excited to see this project move forward and will continue working with the Trump administration to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.”

Background:

• Mesabi Metallics plans to invest $15 billion to build a major steel mill in eastern Iowa, with steel production expected to begin as soon as 2030.
• The project is expected to support more than 1,700 jobs and initially produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually, with future development potentially increasing capacity to roughly 10 million tons per year.
• The eastern Iowa location provides strategic access to the Mississippi River, allowing Mesabi to transport iron ore from its Minnesota mine directly to the facility.
• The plant will process that iron ore for use in electric arc furnaces alongside recycled scrap steel, expanding domestic steel production and strengthening the American manufacturing supply chain.

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