WASHINGTON— House Republicans celebrated President Trump’s announcement that Mesabi Metallics plans to invest $15 billion in a new steel complex in Iowa, the largest steel manufacturing investment in American history.

“This is a huge win for Iowa and for American workers,” Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said. “A project this size means thousands of jobs and more steel made here at home instead of overseas. This is exactly the kind of investment we want to see more of.”

“This is a major opportunity for Southeast Iowa,” Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) said. “We’ve worked to bring manufacturing home and secured nearly $5 million to strengthen skilled trades training at DMACC, Iowa Western, and Indian Hills. Now, we need to make sure Iowa workers have the skills to be first in line for these jobs and ready to build the next generation of American steel.”

“For too long, Iowa families have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their communities hollowed out. Not anymore,” Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) said. “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 will be a game-changing investment for our state — creating 1,700 jobs & incredible opportunities for growth,” Rep. Hinson (R-Iowa) said. “There is no better place to invest and build than in Iowa because we have the best people.”

“I am proud to welcome this project to my home state,” Rep. Feenstra (R-Iowa) said. “The manufacturing industry is Iowa’s largest employer and largest contributor to our economy. This investment, along with the historic investments from the Working Families Tax Cuts, will ensure that Iowa and the rest of our country remain at the forefront of the world’s manufacturing.”

The project is expected to create 1,750 permanent jobs, support up to 6,000 construction jobs, and generate an estimated $95 billion in U.S. economic output. The facility is expected to produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually in its first phase and eventually reach roughly 10 million tons. Iron ore from Mesabi Metallics’ new Minnesota mine will supply the Iowa plant, which creates a domestic supply chain for steel used in national industries.