WASHINGTON—U.S. factory output increased for the fifth straight month in June as manufacturers cranked out more aircraft, chemicals and furniture. The modest gain underscored manufacturing’s role in helping return the economy to growth after a grim first quarter.

BETHLEHEM, PA—Robert Bosch LLC and Bosch Rexroth Corp. have awarded four grants, totaling $100,000, to three Pennsylvania colleges to support science, technology, engineering and math education.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—Boeing may now proceed with development of almost 500 acres near its assembly plant here. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the aerospace company’s plans to offset the loss of wetlands at the site by preserving nearly 4,000 acres near the Francis Marion National Forest northeast of Charleston.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—Submarine maker Electric Boat plans to double its workforce in Rhode Island to build a new class of submarines under a $95 billion Navy program.

WASHINGTON—Social activism organization Green America is alleging that Samsung is employing child labor at its cell phone assembly plant in China.

CHATTANOOGA, TN—Volkswagen is set to commence production of the new midsize SUV at its assembly plant here. The company plans to invest around $900 million in the production of seven-passenger SUV, a move which will create 2,000 jobs.

EVERETT, WA—Boeing may deploy robots on its airplane assembly lines as early as next year. The company has been testing its Fuselage Automated Upright Build technology in secret over the past year and has found success drilling rivet holes on 777 fuselages. Boeing believes the FAUB will improve workplace safety and production speed.

OWATONNA, MN—Daikin Applied Manufacturing has begun construction of a $9 million expansion project here, which is expected to create 40 new jobs. Daikin makes air conditioners.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. government moved to impose substantial punitive tariffs on hundreds of millions of dollars of imported steel products from South Korea and eight other countries, a much-anticipated decision that marks one of the largest anti-dumping cases in recent memory.

SEATTLE—A Chinese citizen was charged with plotting to steal data from U.S. defense contractors, including a successful hack of Boeing’s computer system, amid an expanding crackdown on industrial espionage by China.