County approves US Steel tax abatement for Fairfield quench-and-temper project expected to create 152 jobs

The Jefferson County Commission voted to approve a tax abatement requested by U.S. Steel for a new quench-and-temper facility at its Fairfield works.

Presenter staff said the project "is expected to create a 152 new jobs with an average wage of $35.36 an hour with a capital investment of $463,000,000," and company representative Paul Virgil described the Q&T process as allowing the firm to finish and harden tubular product steel locally rather than shipping it elsewhere. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

County officials said the project would preserve and bring jobs to Fairfield and maintain the plant's viability. "It ensures that Fairfield will remain a viable operation for the foreseeable future, and we're really excited about it," Paul Virgil said. Commissioners acknowledged the potential economic benefits to Jefferson County and applauded the company's history of local operations.

The approval bundled the abatement into regular agenda procedures; no separate roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript beyond a voice "aye."