The Department of Defense has awarded a Michigan company a $114 million grant.

Developers of the proposed Talon nickel mine in Michigan and Minnesota were awarded $20.6 million to help strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials. Talon, which has put up a match to the grant, ha a contact to supply electric carmaker Tesla.

They believe the investment shows a domestic supply of nickel is a national security priority. Last year, Talon acquired up to an 80% ownership interest in the mineral rights of approximately 400,000 acres located in the Upper Peninsula.