Manufacturing

The Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corp. agreed to purchase U.S. Steel, parent company of the Metro East mill, for $14.1 billion. The deal won’t close until the middle of 2024.

Boot orders from the U.S. Department of Defense have helped keep Belleville Shoe in business since at least World War II.

The Rolla-based company that makes chemicals used in the production of computer chips increased the size of its 10-year-old facility at the Rolla airport by 50%.

Construction on the building is expected to be finished in September. After the academy is outfitted with equipment, it will be open for students in August 2024.

Funded through Illinois’ Competitive Freight Program, the two biggest projects include freight yard expansion in both Madison and St. Clair counties and lane improvements on Interstate 55 and 70 between Collinsville and Troy.

Southwestern Illinois College and St. Louis Community College will open new facilities to train people in areas such as computer-aided design. Local business leaders expect advanced manufacturing to grow into one of the region’s critical industries.

The new facility will combine workforce development, advanced manufacturing research and development and production capabilities.

The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved four major projects on the Rolla campus, including upgrading two entrance areas.

Southwestern Illinois College is receiving $7.5 million to build the new facility.

For the second year in a row, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is highlighting the state’s diverse manufacturing sector with a bracket-style tournament. The Makers Madness contest started with 311 nominees. After nearly 140,000 votes, eight products are now vying to be declared the state’s coolest.