According to an announcement from the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, the new project includes installation of a new continuous caster and other upgrades. The caster will improve product quality and expand the mill's product catalog. It also will allow the mill to use its full melt capacity, according to the alliance. 

“We are building on our efforts to modernize our steel mill in Kankakee to better compete in the global steel market and serve our customers,” said Nucor Steel Kankakee Inc. general manager.Jon Witherow. “This is a great community in which to do business, and we are very excited to bring additional investment to the Kankakee community and the state of Illinois.”

The new investment was revealed as the company moves toward completion of a US$180 million merchant bar mill, which is to come on-line this year.