DECATUR, Ala. — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement Wednesday that steel manufacturing firm Nucor plans to open a new, $125 million facility in Decatur. Decatur is already home to a Nucor sheet steel mill; the new plant will focus on construction of transmission towers, a new business unit.
The new plant will be constructed nearby the existing mill, which will continue operating.
Gov. Ivey said the new plant is expected to create 200 new jobs for the North Alabama area over a four-year period. The stated average salary for these positions is $75,000 per year.
“This investment project is a win for Nucor, Decatur and all of Alabama," Ivey said.
Other Nucor facilities in Alabama produce steel, tubular products, joists and decking and metal buildings, with locations in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Fort Payne, Eufaula and Decatur.
Officials in Morgan County were pleased with Nucor’s growth plans.
“It is a true vote of confidence in our community when an existing business decides to further expand its operations here. Our people are our strength in Morgan County,” said Sen. Arthur Orr. “We are grateful for the excellent job they do for employers like Nucor and others across the area.”
Orr serves as chairman of the Morgan County Economic Development Association.
A growth in demand for utility infrastructure is behind Nucor's expansion, the company said. They cited the Biden administration's plans to activate a nationwide network of EV chargers and other clean energy projects driving additional demand.
Most of the planned facility's manufacturing will be highly automated, according to the Governor's Office.