U.S. Steel to Halt Processing at Granite City Works
After October

GraniteCityGossip.com, September 5, 2025

In a development that has stirred deep concern across Granite City, U.S. Steel has announced it will stop sending steel slabs to be processed at Granite City Works after October 2025. According to a union memo shared with St. Louis Public Radio, production will cease in November, though the mill will remain in a “ready” state, able to restart operations if needed.

Importantly, the memo states that no layoffs will occur as a result of this decision. The plant’s future, however, remains uncertain. With both blast furnaces already idled, one since 2019 and the other since 2023, many residents and workers are left wondering what lies ahead.

Under the terms of the $14 billion sale to Nippon Steel, the company cannot idle, close, or sell the facility without approval from the Trump Administration for the next two years. This clause offers a temporary safeguard, but long-term plans have yet to be disclosed.

Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson has been in contact with local union president Craig McKey and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, seeking clarity and advocating for transparency. The union has pledged to hold informational meetings once more details become available.

At its peak, Granite City Works employed around 2,000 workers. Today, roughly 900 remain, processing steel slabs shipped from larger mills in Pittsburgh and Gary, Indiana. The mill has long been a cornerstone of our city’s identity, fueling families, shaping our community, and forging pride.

As we await further updates, one thing remains clear, Granite City stands united. Our legacy is not just in steel, but in the strength of our people. We will continue to advocate, adapt, and honor the generations who built this city brick by brick, beam by beam.