U.S. Steel has broken ground on a $1.9 billion direct reduced iron facility at its Big River Steel Works campus in Osceola, Arkansas. The groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday, marking the beginning of a major industrial project designed to strengthen the company's supply chain and foster economic growth in the region.
The new facility will link U.S. Steel's Minnesota iron ore mines directly to its electric arc furnaces located in Mississippi County. According to company officials, the project represents a significant investment in local infrastructure and is expected to create 200 full-time jobs.
"Community is always important to a project like this,” said Jim Bell, U.S. Steel's vice president of operations and construction engineering. “Big River employs 1,800 employees right now; to add another 200 in this rural part of Arkansas always means a lot to these counties."
The construction process is projected to take roughly 32 months. Officials said the first 12 months will focus on engineering and the delivery of equipment, followed by two years of on-site construction. The first production run is anticipated to begin in early 2029.
Big River Steel Works, an advanced steel production campus in Osceola, has become a key driver of economic activity in Mississippi County. With this latest investment, U.S. Steel aims to enhance its ability to produce high-strength steel products used in automotive, construction, and energy applications.
Officials emphasized the importance of this development for the local economy, noting that the creation of new jobs in rural Arkansas has the potential to significantly benefit surrounding communities.
More details are expected to emerge as the project progresses.