Nucor steel brings jobs and investment to Lexington

Nucor, one of the world's largest steel producers, is coming to Davidson County where it will generate at least 180 jobs. Lexington will be home to a new micro mill steel plant.

Nucor, headquartered in Charlotte, manufactures carbon and alloy steel bars, beams, sheets and more. The new $350 million plant, Nucor Steel Lexington, will use scrap metal as its primary raw material and create an estimated 430,000 tons of rebar a year.

In a press release, company president Leon Topalian says the steel they produce will be made with nearly 100% recycled content. He says the move to Davidson County was driven by its unique location, and he calls the Washington D.C. and Atlanta corridor one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Increased demand due to new federal spending on infrastructure, and a solid pre-existing workforce were also major considerations.

The average salary for all new positions will be nearly $100,000 generating roughly $15 million for the local economy each year.