U. S. Steel announces plans to refire Blast Furnace B at Granite City Works
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]
Late in the day on Dec. 4, 2025, U. S. Steel announced that it had begun the process of refiring the Blast Furnace B at Granite City Works in response to customer demand. The blast furnace had been idle since 2023.
“After several months of carefully analyzing customer demand, we made the decision to restart a blast furnace,” said David B. Burritt, president and CEO of U. S. Steel. “Steel remains a highly competitive and highly cyclical industry, but we are confident in our ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand. We look forward to partnering with all stakeholders, including the United Steelworkers and elected officials, to ensure a safe and efficient start up and to discuss support for Granite City Works.”
Reuters reports that a U. S. Steel spokesperson said the company expects to add about 400 employees at the Granite City facility to operate the blast furnace, raising the plant’s workforce to about 1,200.
On the heels of U. S. Steel’s announcement, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued an official statement, which read as follows:
“Today’s announcement from U.S. Steel is welcomed news for the residents and proud steelworkers of Granite City. Driven by consumer demand, the decision will result in new good-paying jobs and significant investment in the facility.
“This investment in Illinois is a testament to collaboration among the State of Illinois, community members, elected leaders – with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski leading the charge – and the strength and resilience of the men and women of the United Steelworkers (UW). It reflects our collective commitment to protecting good-paying jobs and ensuring that steelmaking remains a driving force in the Metro East economy.
“While this decision provides important stability for Granite City, the work is far from over. My administration is committed to securing long-term investment, maintaining a clear path for the future of steelmaking, and protecting good-paying jobs. In Granite City, we’ll keep fighting to ensure that the families who built this community have a future as bright as its past.”
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) also released an official statement after news that U.S. Steel will be restarting one of the two blast furnaces at Granite City Works, which is also expected to reinstate hundreds of employees who had been waiting to return to work at the plant.
“This year, I stood with the proud men and women of the USW to demand real investment in Granite City and a path forward for the plant,” said Budzinski. “At every step, we raised our voices together, and that persistence paid off. I’m encouraged by the decision to restart one of the furnaces and bring back the workers – it shows that advocacy and collective action make a difference. While this is good news for production on a temporary basis, we need more than short-term fixes. We need a long-range commitment and investment that ensures the skilled workers of Granite City have the future and assurances they’ve earned. That’s exactly what I plan to fight for.”
Since taking office, Budzinski has worked closely with the United Steelworkers (USW) to protect the future of Granite City Works and safeguard the jobs it supports.
When the initial U.S. Steel–Nippon deal was announced without plans for investment in Granite City, Budzinski joined local USW leaders in demanding long-term commitments and a meaningful role for steelworkers in negotiations. After the acquisition, U.S. Steel signaled it would stop supplying slabs to Granite City Works, threatening continued operation of the plant.
In response, Budzinski and the USW pressed the company to reverse course, and U.S. Steel ultimately announced it would continue slab deliveries to the site.
State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) also issued a joint statement following Thursday’s announcement to refire Granite City Works’ Blast Furnace B and referring to it a “Christmas miracle.”
Harriss and Elik’s issued statement read as follows:
“Today’s news that Granite City Works will restart Blast Furnace B is the best possible news for the community, the workforce, and the global steel market. For months, we have been working, leaving no stone unturned, alongside local leaders and partners at the highest levels of government to reach this moment.
“Granite City Works plays an important role in meeting capacity and demand across the world. The return of steel production ensures that Granite City Works remains a crucial part of worldwide steel supply, especially after a tumultuous period in the industry. With the return of Blast Furnace B, steel will once again be produced here in our community.
“This development is not only an industrial achievement, but to many, it feels like a Christmas miracle. The decision acknowledges the strength of Granite City Works, our community, and the future of American steel. Throughout the challenges, laborers have continued to show resilience and adaptability, proving the extraordinary dedication of this workforce.
“We are overjoyed, proud, and optimistic about Granite City Works’ future. We will continue our advocacy to ensure investments are made, jobs remain local, and the community is fully supported on the path ahead.”
