In a statement, Metallus (formerly TimkenSteel) said the grants will be put toward a US$100 million investment it is making in its facilities. The expansion will allow the company to better serve Defense Department munitions programs. 

The grants will provide training, modernize equipment and upskill talent to deploy state-of-the-art steelmaking, Metallus said. 

“We are grateful for the support from Team NEO, Stark Economic Development Board, and JobsOhio. The economic development grant from JobsOhio, in particular, will allow us to enhance and optimize our assets, increasing our capacity for high-quality defense products, and the workforce development grant will support key training initiatives around safety and technology. This not only benefits our workforce but secures Canton-area jobs and strengthens the Army's munitions program,” said Metallus president and chief executive officer Mike Williams.