Mayor Parkinson Urges Federal Action to Secure Future of
Granite City Steel Works

GraniteCityGossip.com September 25, 2025

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s intervention to halt the closure of the U.S. Steel Works plant in Granite City, Mayor Mike Parkinson is pressing forward with a bold appeal for long-term protection and investment. While the president’s invocation of the “golden share” provision, part of the $15 billion Nippon Steel acquisition has temporarily safeguarded operations through 2027, Parkinson warns that without further action, the reprieve may be short-lived.

“Granite City has proudly produced steel for over a century,” Parkinson stated. “The men and women who work here have built not just a product, but a legacy, one that deserves to be protected, not abandoned.”

The golden share agreement grants the U.S. government veto power over strategic decisions affecting domestic steel production. It was used to block U.S. Steel’s plan to idle the Granite City plant this fall, preserving nearly 800 jobs and ensuring slab deliveries continue for now. However, Parkinson and local leaders stress that this safeguard expires in less than two years, leaving the community vulnerable to future corporate decisions.

In a coordinated outreach effort, Mayor Parkinson has contacted all federal Republican representatives, urging them to deliver his letter directly to President Trump. The letter calls for a redirection of federal funds originally earmarked for new steel facilities elsewhere, to instead revitalize and preserve Granite City’s existing plant.

This isn’t just about saving jobs, it’s about protecting the very foundation on which our city was built, our heritage, our legacy, and our future. The mayor’s appeal comes amid growing concern from union leaders and residents, who fear that Granite City is being left out of long-term investment plans. While other U.S. Steel facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana are protected through 2035, Granite City’s future remains uncertain.

Parkinson’s message is clear: Granite City is not asking for favors, it’s demanding fairness. The city’s steelworkers have weathered decades of corporate restructuring and economic uncertainty. With the federal attention it’s momentarily secured, the time to act is now.

“We’re grateful for the president’s intervention,” Parkinson said. “But gratitude doesn’t build a future. Investment does.” As the 2027 deadline looms, Granite City’s leadership is calling on Washington to recognize the plant not as a relic, but as a cornerstone of American manufacturing. The mayor’s campaign is not just a plea; it’s a plan to ensure that the legacy of steel in Granite City endures for generations to come.