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Last Friday, I returned to Des Moines with my colleagues in the Iowa Legislature for a special session focused on an extraordinary economic development opportunity for our state.
President Trump recently announced that Mesabi Metallics plans to build a new steel mill in Iowa. The proposed $15 billion Iowa Steel Complex would be the largest steel mill in the United States and one of the largest industrial investments in Iowa history.
To help make this project possible, the Legislature passed House File 2801, updating Iowa's Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program. When we established the MEGA program two years ago, it was designed to help Iowa compete for transformational projects of at least $1 billion. Few of us imagined we would soon be considering an opportunity fifteen times that size.
The potential impact is enormous. The project is expected to create approximately 1,750 permanent, high-paying jobs and support another 6,000 construction jobs as the facility is built. Steelmaking is expected to begin in 2030.
It also represents something bigger than one facility. Producing high-quality steel here in Iowa will strengthen American manufacturing, reduce our reliance on foreign supply chains, and establish a new domestic source for materials critical to our economy.
Projects like this don’t happen by accident. Over the past several years, we have worked to lower taxes, reduce unnecessary regulations, and make Iowa a state where businesses want to invest, build, and create jobs.
When an opportunity of this magnitude came before us, it was worth returning to Des Moines to act.
I was proud to support House File 2801 and help position Iowa to compete for this historic investment. I look forward to seeing what this project can mean for Iowa workers, families, and communities for generations to come.
For a Stronger Iowa,
Brett Barker
State Representative
House District 51
I'm grateful for the opportunity to work hard on your behalf in Des Moines! Follow "Barker for Iowa" on social media channels to stay up to date on my work. Please reach out to me about any questions, concerns, or suggestions at brett.barker@legis.iowa.gov.
Brett Barker, a Republican from Nevada, represents District 51 in the Iowa House.