California will get its first new steel mill in more than 50 years. Pacific Steel Group's Mojave Micro Mill in Kern County received a $30 million state tax credit and will create 700 jobs, according to Governor Gavin Newsom's office. The plant will use electric manufacturing technology powered by renewable energy.
In exchange for the California Competes tax credit, the company committed to invest more than $540 million and create nearly 450 jobs in the mill's first five years of operation, the state said.
The facility will include a 32-megawatt-hour battery system approved for up to $14 million in funding from the California Energy Commission to store solar power and keep the mill running during power outages. The project also qualifies for a sales and use tax exclusion worth up to $10 million on manufacturing equipment.
Pacific Steel is partnering with California State University, Bakersfield and local community colleges to develop workforce training, including a certificate program in steel manufacturing.
The mill is expected to open next year.