Rep. Warwas: $15 Billion Iowa Steel Mill Shows Opportunity Minnesota Is Missing
IRON RANGE, Minn. — State Rep. Cal Warwas issued the following statement after the announcement that Mesabi Metallics plans to build a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa using iron ore from its new Minnesota operation:
“Today is a great day—if you live in Iowa.
“I’m grateful the Iron Range will supply the ore for this project, but deeply disappointed that the $15 billion value-added steelmaking investment is going elsewhere. To put $15 billion into perspective, at $450,000 per home, it represents enough money to replace every residence in Hibbing, Virginia, and Grand Rapids nearly twice over.
“For decades, Iron Rangers have dreamed about taking the next step—not simply mining and processing our ore, but making steel right here at home. We have the resources, the workforce, and generations of mining expertise. Yet the steel mill and its value-added jobs are headed to Iowa.
“Minnesota needs leadership focused on making our state a place where major industrial projects are actually built—with predictable permitting, competitive energy costs, and policies that foster development rather than drive investment elsewhere.
“Minnesota has always been proud to export our iron ore. If we’re not careful, jobs and opportunity may become some of our biggest exports, too.
“We’ll mine the ore on the Iron Range. Unfortunately, Iowa gets the steel mill.”
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