Groundbreaking ceremonies for Big River Steel take place September 22. The Blytheville Courier News says the event is invitation-only, and is expected to host numerous dignitaries, including Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. Construction on the $1.3 billion project is expected to take at least two years. Once built, at least 500 workers will be employed, averaging salaries of $75,000. The project is moving forward, despite attempts to stop it from Nucor Steel in Blytheville. Nucor has filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming the company is violating the Clean Air Act. The project is being financed in part from $125 million in state bonds and $14.5 million from Mississippi County, through an economic development sales tax. More information is available here.