Gov. Reynolds Calls Oct. 2 Special Session to Amend Iowa MEGA Program for Mesabi Metallics Steel Complex

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds will convene the Iowa General Assembly for a special session Friday, Oct. 2, at 8:30 a.m. to amend the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction, or MEGA, program.

The release said the session has the “sole and singular purpose” of enacting amendments to the program.

Reynolds and Mesabi Metallics Chairman Rewant Ruia joined President Donald Trump on Sept. 28 at the White House to announce that Iowa will be the future home of a multi-billion-dollar integrated steel complex. The governor’s office described it as the largest steel manufacturing investment in American history.

The state and Mesabi Metallics have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the terms of the partnership, according to the release. Because the investment is the largest private investment in Iowa’s history, the release said, adjustments to the MEGA program are needed.

“On Friday, the legislature will return to the Iowa State Capitol to advance the most consequential economic development opportunity ever for our state,” Reynolds said. “With reasonable and limited updates to an already-existing economic development program, we will accelerate major capital investment into our state, strengthen our economic trajectory, and shape the future of our state and region for generations.”