Siteselection.com reported on September 8, 2026, that three major industrial projects advanced in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Astemo Americas announced a $112 million expansion of its hybrid electric vehicle motor production in Berea, Kentucky. Chobani disclosed plans to acquire and retool a former Keurig Dr Pepper plant in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy established a funding framework with Cleveland-Cliffs to upgrade its steelmaking operations in Middletown, Ohio.
What it means
Astemo Americas, a joint venture involving Hitachi, Honda Motor Company, and JIC Capital, will add 300,000 square feet across two facilities in Madison County. The company stated the expansion will create 114 direct jobs at the Berea sites, with a broader multi-year investment expected to bring 282 new positions across its Kentucky operations. Astemo has operated electric-powertrain and engine-management systems production in Harrodsburg since establishing its first U.S. plant there in 1985.
In Pennsylvania, Chobani will transform the 1.5-million-square-foot Allentown facility to support up to 10 production lines for food and beverage products. The company noted the site’s proximity to over 4,300 dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and its location within 500 miles of 40% of the U.S. population. At full capacity, the plant will process 3 billion pounds of Pennsylvania-based dairy annually and create more than 900 direct jobs. This move is part of Chobani’s goal to expand its U.S. operational portfolio by $4 billion. As part of the transaction, Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its full equity stake in Chobani back to the company for $800 million.
In Ohio, Cleveland-Cliffs and the Department of Energy are combining $1 billion to upgrade the Middletown Works facility, which currently produces about 3 million tons of raw steel per year. Construction is anticipated to begin within weeks of the September announcement, with the goal of becoming fully operational by 2030. The upgrades include blast furnace improvements, advanced material handling infrastructure, and AI-enabled process control technologies. An advanced cogeneration facility will capture blast furnace gas to create electricity and steam on-site.
Key facts
- Astemo Americas: $112 million investment in Berea, Kentucky hybrid motor capacity
- Astemo Americas: 300,000 sq. ft. added across two Berea plants; 114 direct jobs created
- Astemo Americas: 282 new jobs expected across broader Kentucky operations
- Chobani: $1.2 billion investment to acquire and retool Allentown, Pennsylvania facility
- Chobani: Facility will process 3 billion pounds of dairy annually; create more than 900 direct jobs
- Keurig Dr Pepper: Selling full equity stake in Chobani for $800 million
- Cleveland-Cliffs: $1 billion combined with DOE to upgrade Middletown, Ohio steel plant
- Cleveland-Cliffs: Construction begins shortly after September 2026; target operational date is 2030
Source: siteselection.com Project Bulletin, September 8, 2026