Apple Grove's Nucor Steel Mill approaches final stages of construction

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Construction continues on Nucor’s $4 billion steel mill in Apple Grove, one of the largest industrial development projects in West Virginia history.

The massive facility is being built on a large flat tract of land between the Ohio River and W.Va. 2 in Mason County. In addition to the primary mill site, Nucor has acquired additional property on the opposite side of W.Va. 2 that will be used for support operations and related activities associated with the project.

Infrastructure improvements are also continuing around the site. Appalachian Power is constructing a new electrical substation near the mill to help meet the facility’s substantial energy demands, providing 345-kv service. The mill will rely on large electric arc furnaces, which require significant and reliable power capacity to operate.

Last week, Nucor officials confirmed the project remains on schedule, with construction expected to be completed later this year.

Company representatives said production at the facility is expected to begin in 2027, with operations continuing to ramp up through 2028 as the mill reaches its full production capabilities.

Once fully operational, the mill will have the capacity to produce up to 3 million tons of sheet steel annually, according to Nucor officials.

The facility is being designed to serve a variety of industries, including automotive, construction and manufacturing sectors that rely on advanced steel products.

The mill will be equipped to manufacture 84-inch sheet steel products and will feature a 76-inch tandem cold mill along with two galvanizing lines.

Those capabilities will allow the facility to produce advanced, high-end automotive grades as well as construction-grade steel products, positioning the Apple Grove operation as one of the most technologically advanced steel mills in North America.

The project represents a major investment not only in Mason County but also in the broader Ohio River Valley region.

During peak construction, thousands of workers have been involved in building the facility, and the long-term economic effects are expected to extend well beyond the plant itself through supplier networks, transportation services and related business activity.

According to company officials, the mill is expected to employ up to 800 full-time workers when fully operational. Those jobs will include positions in manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, logistics, administration and other support functions.

Economic development leaders have pointed to the project as a transformative investment for the region.

Nucor estimates the facility will generate an annual economic impact of approximately $2.5 billion for Mason County and surrounding communities once production is fully established.

The Apple Grove facility is part of Nucor’s broader strategy to expand domestic steel production and strengthen supply chains for American manufacturers.

The company has said the mill’s location along the Ohio River provides strategic transportation advantages through access to river, rail and highway networks, helping move raw materials into the facility and finished products to customers throughout the eastern United States.

As construction advances toward completion, Nucor continues to deepen its presence within Mason County and neighboring communities.

Throughout the past year, company officials have remained active in local events, community initiatives and philanthropic efforts, supporting schools, organizations and economic development activities across the region while preparing for the mill’s eventual startup.

Courtesy: www.wvnews.com