In what could be a big boost for the steel industry in its own backyard, a developer is planning to build 300 homes using steel for studs and other framing material adjoining a golf course in the Gary suburb of Hobart, Ind.

The development will be the largest so far in the eastern half of the country to use steel framing, appropriately sited in the biggest steel producing area in the world.

The promotion of steel framing for homes has become a strong focus in the last several years for the steel industry, which sees in home building a major new market.