LIMA, Ohio (AP): A military tank plant in northwestern Ohio is getting $2.3 million from the U.S. Army for upgrades at the facility.

The manager of the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima says the money will help get the plant ready to make the next-generation tank now in development.

The plant is working on prototypes for a new Abrams tank and another military vehicle.

Production on the new vehicles is expected to begin in about two years.

Plant officials say the upgrades are good news for the plant's future.

Just two years ago that plant was on shaky footing amid numerous threats to its federal funding.