Trump‑backed $15 B Iowa Steel Mill – permitting and construction timeline

Mesabi Metallics announced plans on September 28, 2026, to build a $15 billion steel mill in eastern Iowa, bringing up to 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent positions to the region [1][2][3][5][6]. President Donald Trump unveiled the project at the White House alongside Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Mesabi Metallics Chief Executive Officer Joe Broking [2][4][5].

The facility will use iron ore from the company's mine in Nashwauk, Minnesota [1][2][5]. First-phase production capacity is projected at 7.5 million tons annually [1][2][6], and total capacity could eventually reach 10 million tons per year [1][3][4][5][6].

Mesabi Metallics expects pellet production at its Minnesota mine to start in the next few weeks [2]. The Iowa plant is scheduled to begin steel production in 2030 [3][4][5].

An environmental permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources would clear the project for local development. The granting of required water and air permits by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or another federal agency would satisfy federal regulatory requirements. A groundbreaking ceremony and the start of site preparation by the company would mark the beginning of physical construction. Commercial operation and the production of the first batch of steel would complete the project timeline.