Brief

Pacific Steel Group to open California’s first new steel mill in 50 years

The $700 million Mojave Micro Mill, breaking ground in 2025, will be the state’s first steel‑melting and rolling plant in more than half a century.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:36:22 GMT

Pacific Steel Group, a San Diego‑based firm, is constructing the Mojave Micro Mill on 174 acres in Mojave, Kern County, with commercial operations expected in late August 2027. The project, described by the New York Post, will be the first steel‑melting and rolling facility built in California in over 50 years and is projected to create roughly 700 jobs.

What happened

Ground was broken in March 2025, marking the first new steel mill in the state since the 1970s. The main building will span 500,000 square feet, complemented by several smaller structures. Initial cost estimates of $540 million have risen to about $700 million, according to company officials. Construction remains on schedule, with the plant slated to begin commercial production in August 2027.

What the reports add

The New York Post notes that the facility will be the only plant in California capable of both melting and rolling steel products, a claim made by Pacific Steel Group’s Vice President of Mill Operations Mark Olson to SFGATE. The article also details a tax‑incentive agreement approved by the Kern County Board of Supervisors in September, which could provide more than $3 million in incentives over six years, roughly $7,500 per new job.

What was said

Mark Olson told SFGATE that the mill will produce “seismic‑grade, green rebar” for the region. Kern County Supervisor Chris Parlier praised the project as a “game changer for the region,” adding that Pacific Steel Group’s investment is “a transformational step forward for our local economy and workforce.”

How it came about

The project received state support from Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, which previously awarded Pacific Steel Group financial assistance. The mill follows recent large‑scale manufacturing investments in California, such as Walmart’s high‑tech fulfillment center in Stockton that opened earlier this month, creating over 1,000 jobs.

Key facts

Pacific Steel Group is building the Mojave Micro Mill on 174 acres in Mojave, Kern County. (nypost.com)
The plant will cost about $700 million and is scheduled to start commercial operations in August 2027. (nypost.com)
The mill is expected to create roughly 700 jobs. (nypost.com)
Kern County approved a tax‑incentive package that could deliver more than $3 million over six years, about $7,500 per new job. (nypost.com)
The facility will be the only steel plant in California that both melts and rolls steel products. (nypost.com)