BUSINESS

Granite City Furnace Reopening Signals Return of Production

PUBLISHED Dec 5, 2025, 12:12 PM ET

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Granite City Furnace Reopening Signals Return of Production

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 7

Center 86%

Right 14%

Sources: 7

Harrisburg, Pa. — U.S. Steel announced Thursday that it will restart steel slab production at Granite City Works in southern Illinois after idling the last blast furnace in 2023. The company reversed an earlier plan to wind down a processing mill and cited rising customer demand and confidence in safely operating the facility to meet 2026 needs. CEO David Burritt said the firm will hire and train workers and contractors, upgrade equipment, and ready operations, targeting production in the first half of next year. Officials highlighted roughly 400 returning jobs. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Moonie | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2023: U.S. Steel idled the last blast furnace at Granite City Works.
September (recent): The company moved to wind down the site's steel processing mill.
This week (announcement): U.S. Steel said it will restart a blast furnace citing customer demand.
Company statement: CEO David Burritt cited months of demand analysis and confidence to meet 2026 needs.
Next steps: Hiring, training, equipment readiness planned for production in the first half of next year.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 6
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 86%, Right 14%

Who Benefited

U.S. Steel, local businesses, suppliers, and the regional economy stand to benefit from resumed operations through increased production, employment and commercial activity tied to the Granite City Works restart.

Who Impacted

The 2023 shutdown reduced local employment and economic activity in Granite City; those lost wages and business revenue harmed workers and supporting businesses until this announced restart.