Major investment expected to create more than 1,300 jobs at redeveloped steel mill site
GADSDEN, Ala. (Mar. 6, 2026) — Global automotive supplier Minth Group has announced plans to invest approximately $430 million to establish a major manufacturing campus in Gadsden, Alabama, a project expected to create more than 1,300 new jobs and transform the long-vacant former Gulf States Steel site into a modern automotive production hub.
The project will redevelop approximately 400 acres of industrial property, marking one of the most significant economic development announcements in Northeast Alabama in decades.
Minth Group, a leading supplier of structural and exterior components for the global automotive industry, will manufacture plastic and aluminum automotive components at the new facility, supporting major automotive assembly operations across the Southeast.
“This investment represents a transformative moment for Gadsden and the entire region,” said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford. “For years, our community has worked to bring new life to the former steel site. Today’s announcement signals a new era of opportunity and growth.”
The new campus will become Minth Group’s largest manufacturing operation worldwide, serving automakers throughout North America and strengthening the supply chain for major vehicle manufacturers operating in the Southeastern United States.
Alabama continues to attract global automotive suppliers thanks to its strong manufacturing workforce, central location within the Southern automotive corridor, and proximity to major vehicle assembly plants including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery and Kia Georgia in West Point.
State and local leaders noted that the redevelopment of the historic steel mill property represents both an economic and symbolic milestone for the region, transforming a legacy industrial site into a next-generation manufacturing campus.
Construction and site development are expected to begin soon, with hiring to follow as the project progresses.
Once complete, the facility will further strengthen Alabama’s reputation as a top destination for automotive manufacturing and supplier investment.
