(Granite City, IL) — A U.S. Steel coke production plant in the Metro East is closing. Company spokesperson Courtney Boone told the “Post-Dispatch” Wednesday that 176 Granite City employees will be out of work. She says the steelworkers were contacted on January 19th concerning the plant being shutdown. Boone blames poor market conditions for the March 22nd closure. Yesterday’s announcement will not affect business at the Gateway Energy and Coke plant in Granite City.