Small Businesses Booming Thanks to Nucor Steel Mill Construction
New businesses are beginning to pop up in Apple Grove as well.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Nucor steel mill plant is nearing its peak of construction workers on the job site, with 1,800 contractors working to complete the multi-billion-dollar facility.
While the plant is expected to bring a massive, long-term economic boost for Mason County, small businesses in Apple Grove are already seeing the benefits of being located next to the construction site.
If you walk into Jerry’s Run Food Mart around lunch hour, you’ll see long lines of construction workers looking to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to the job site.
Elise Crank, the food mart’s manager, says they’ve seen triple the amount of customers walk through their doors since Nucor began construction in January 2024.
“On a typical day at noon, you’re lucky to get in the door. It’s very busy, not that we’re complaining. And not just for us, for everybody. I think we’ve at least tripled in business. It’s a tremendous boost for everybody here,” said Crank.
New businesses are beginning to pop up in Apple Grove as well.
“We did a soft open, but once the word got out, they were pretty excited. It was busy. We welcome the business, and we’re excited to see where it leads us from here,” said Karry Cooper, the market’s manager. “I felt a little rushed, but you know, we’ll just work some kinks out, and it’ll come. It’ll stay busy, and everybody was pretty well pleased with what we had today.”
Markee Schindler, the talent and community relations manager for Nucor, said that the goal is to have the new steel mill finished in the second half of 2026. She said that when the mill does open, there will be around 800 employees on site.
While the lunch rush may not be as hectic for Jerry’s Run Food Mart or Williams Apple Grove Market once construction is complete, both store managers said they look forward to serving Nucor employees for years to come.
Courtesy: www.wowktv.com