President Trump, Miller-Meeks Announce Historic $15 Billion Steel Plant Coming to Lee County

Image September 28, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for the announcement of a historic $15 billion investment to build the largest steel plant in American history in Lee County, Iowa. The project is expected to create more than 1,700 permanent jobs paying over $49 an hour, along with 5,000 to 6,000 construction jobs. Miller-Meeks has long worked help bring the project to fruition and has championed legislation to strengthen American manufacturing and prepare Iowa workers for the jobs it creates. "For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore," said 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 historic investment will deliver: 1,700+ permanent jobs in Lee County. 5,000–6,000 construction jobs during the plant’s development. $95 billion+ in projected economic activity. American-made steel, reducing reliance on foreign production. New opportunities for Iowa families to build their futures in the communities they call home. The plant is expected to initially produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually, with the capacity to expand to 10 million tons. Iron ore will be transported from Minnesota down the Mississippi River to the Lee County facility. Background Miller-Meeks has been a leading advocate for bringing manufacturing back to the United States and ensuring Iowa workers are prepared to fill the jobs that follow. Her Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (H.R. 1721) will identify critical products currently imported and assess the feasibility of manufacturing them domestically, including in rural communities. The bipartisan legislation passed the House and Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. It will help identify opportunities to bring critical manufacturing and good-paying jobs back to communities like those in Southeast Iowa. Miller-Meeks also introduced the Improve Employer-Directed Skills Act (H.R. 2690) , which empowers Iowa employers to partner with workforce boards to train and upskill workers for the exact jobs local businesses need. A version of the legislation passed the House with bipartisan support as part of the Stronger Workforce for America Act. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act, signed into law in 2025, expanded access to workforce training by establishing Workforce Pell Grants . Eligible students can use these grants for short-term programs that prepare them for in-demand careers, helping more Iowans gain the skills needed for good-paying jobs without pursuing a four-year degree. From identifying opportunities to bring manufacturing home to preparing workers for new careers, Miller-Meeks has championed policies to help Iowa compete, attract investment, and create lasting opportunities for its communities. ### Issues : Delivering Results Economy Jobs and Economy