OSCEOLA — The U.S. Commerce Department is awarding a $1.2 million grant to Osceola so the city can build infrastructure to support a planned $1.1 billion steel mill.
The department's Economic Development Administration said the money will go toward water and sewer improvements needed for operation of the Big River Steel mill.
The mill is to employ 545 full-time employees earning upward of $75,000 per year, and 2,000 construction workers are to build the plant. Osceola is also getting a railroad tank car unloading facility, which is expected to bring in $325 million in private investment.
Last week, Big River Steel was granted an air quality permit, which CEO John Correnti said opens the way for construction to begin in June.