California's First Steel Mill in 50 Years Creates 700 Jobs

A massive steel mill is rising in the California desert, marking the state's return to an industry it hasn't touched in more than 50 years.

San Diego-based Pacific Steel Group broke ground this spring on the Mojave Micro Mill in Kern County. The facility will be the first steel mill built in California since the 1970s, covering 174 acres about 70 miles southeast of Bakersfield.

When it opens in August 2027, the mill will create 700 jobs for welders, electricians, millwrights and computer systems engineers. These aren't entry-level positions either. Kern County is offering $7,500 in tax incentives for each job created, specifically targeting positions that pay better than living wage.

The project started at $540 million but has grown to $700 million as plans expanded. That investment buys a 500,000-square-foot main building, several outbuildings, and something special: a 63-acre solar array designed to power the entire operation with renewable energy.

Mark Olson, Pacific Steel's vice president of mill operations, says this will be the only steel plant in California that both melts and rolls steel products. The facility will supply materials for roads, bridges, hospitals and other infrastructure projects across the state.

Governor Gavin Newsom praised the project for bringing steel manufacturing back to California while localizing the supply chain. The goal is proving that large-scale industrial manufacturing can thrive in California using the state's renewable energy resources.

The Ripple Effect

The mill's impact extends beyond its 700 employees. Kern County supervisors unanimously approved the incentive package through AdvanceKern, an economic development program focused on sustained, full-time job creation since 2017.

The agreement could deliver more than $3 million in incentives to Pacific Steel over six years. County officials say it advances their goal of becoming the best place in California to start or grow a business.

Requiring the company to hire locally ensures Kern County residents get first crack at family-sustaining careers. These manufacturing jobs offer stability and good wages in a region that has watched tech centers dominate employment headlines for decades.

The solar component matters too, showing how industrial operations can align with California's clean energy future without sacrificing jobs or economic growth.

California is proving that manufacturing can make a comeback powered by sunshine and skilled workers ready to build the future.