Jimmie Stephens used his closing statement at Thursday’s meeting of the Jefferson County Commission to talk about a monumental business deal with national implications, including in Alabama.

“Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel have merged, and Nippon Steel has become a very significant shareholder in U.S. Steel,” the commission president said. “With that investment, they brought in much capital that was needed to reinvest in our plants in America.”

President Trump last week approved the controversial merger of U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, which is based in Japan, after the companies signed a national security agreement with the U.S. and granted Trump veto power over certain types of business decisions. Nippon’s nearly $15 billion buyout of the steelmaker that once was the largest American company has been under debate for 1½ years.

“It saves tariffs and it allows employment for Jefferson County workers and Alabama workers,” Stephens said. “We applaud the merger. We look forward to the future, and it has given a wonderful influx of capital to reinvest in our Fairfield Works. It will secure the future and the employment for decades to come.”

Stephens said he expects to see major investment in the area very quickly.

Stephens said the merger will pump new life not just into Fairfield but the entire county and surrounding area.

“This is wonderful news,” he said. “It creates a brighter future and follows our mission statement that we utilize here in Jefferson County at the commission to improve the quality of life and get more opportunities for our citizens.”

Also during Thursday’s commission meeting, the panel:

• Acknowledged receipt of a partnership agreement for a work-study program with Cristo Rey Birmingham Work Study, a nonprofit affiliated with Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, which is also a nonprofit.
• Supported the recommendation of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to officially record the name “Ruffner Mountain” in the Geographic Names Information System. The 4-mile ridge in eastern Jefferson County is not identified in the GNIS.
• Authorized the commission president to execute a professional services agreement with the Alabama Sports Council for $400,000 for fiscal 2024-25. That sum, in support of the Magic City Classic, had been previously approved and is in the current budget.

Authorized an agreement for advertising and operational support and public safety for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games. That agreement calls for the county to pay no more than $500,000 in support of the Games.