BRANDENBURG, Ky. - Nestled against steep river banks the Ohio River, is a big part of Brandenburg, Kentucky's small-town feel.  The river is also a driving reason why the small community of 2,500 residents may never be the same. 

Earlier this year city officials and the Nucor steel company announced plans to build a massive plant just east of town.  The entire complex including buffer land is expected to occupy some 900 acres of land along the winding Ohio River. 

“It’s a big operation. It’s a steel mill. It’s something like Brandenburg has ever seen before," Brandenburg Mayor Ronnie Joyner tells Spectrum News 1.  Joyner says Brandenburg was Nucor's first choice and translates to a 1.34 billion-dollar investment. 

Nucor projects the plant will employee 400 full-time positions with an average annual salary of $72,000 with benefits. 

“This will be, probably the number one employer for us for a long time. This is the fifth-largest economic boost for the Commonwealth of Kentucky ever, says David Pace the chair of the Brandenburg/Meade County Industrial Development Authority.  

Mayor Joyner says about 70% of Brandenburg's working residents travel outside the city for employment but that would change with a new steel plant.  He also says it'll also encourage younger residents to remain or return to Brandenburg after graduating college.  Nucor is currently in a "Due Diligence" period and construction of the plant could begin before the year is out. 

To follow the development of the Brandenburg steel plant and other Nucor employment opportunities click here!