President's visit

[Rick Rowlands]

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, has been insistent that without the stimulus money, the V&M project would have never happened.

Joel Mastervich, V&M's president and chief operating officer, said the stimulus money "helped propel the project forward." But he added that "the project would have proceeded" without the money.

I knew it!  V&M Star was playing the govt. for as much as they could get, but it was going to be built here all along!

[AllanY2525]

The V&M expansion is a wonderful thing - Youngstown is gaining
momentum in its economic recovery, and has learned from the
past.

It's like a snowball rolling downhill.  The more businesses come
to Youngstown, the more other businesses will begin to take
a serious look at the city as a possible location for their own
business.  I think the city is getting closer to that "critical mass"
that is needed to bring much needed jobs to the area.

With diversification in its local businesses, the city will no longer
be so vulnerable to plant closings and companies that may
go "belly up" in the future.

Youngstown is no longer a one economy city.  It's an
undeniable fact.

[Towntalk]

Review of  President's visit.

President's speech transcript:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-economy-youngstown-ohio



Fox News

But, there is good news in the Mahoning Valley, something that hasn't been seen here in decades; jobs and growth.

. . . . .

The reason President Obama used the V& M Star Plant, a French piping manufacturer, as his backdrop for the Youngstown speech, is because its a steel manufacturing company benefitting from the recovery act. V&M is investing $650 million toward its' expansion, doubling the size of its' workforce, with most jobs going locally to those displaced when plants closed. The GM Lordstown plant, nearby, is also apparently adding a 3rd shift, which would mean another 1200 new jobs, The Democratic leadership in the Valley say its all the result of $52 million in stimulus money, but Republicans say its a victory for the private sector.

Youngstown's leaders are now proudly boasting about the Youngstown Business Incubator, which nurtures start ups, particularly in software. The 300 plus employees of the Incubator have already had success with companies like Turning Technologies, which grossed $33 million last year. Two magazines, INC and Entrepreneur, even listed Youngstown Ohio as one of the top places to do business.


ABC News

The president took full credit for the role his administration played.

"So right here in the heart of the old steel corridor, where some never thought we'd see an investment like this again, they're placing a bet on American manufacturing and on this community," Obama said. "And that bet's going to pay off for 400 construction jobs once they break ground this summer, 350 new manufacturing jobs once the mill comes on line -- which doubles the current workforce."


CBS News

In a cavernous plant filled with the pipes manufactured here, including some for the oil drilling industry, Mr. Obama said his programs have helped companies such as V & M Star to expand - and will bring other dormant factories to life.


NBC News

The visit to V&M Star, a manufacturer of steel tubular goods, was meant to highlight how stimulus money has helped create jobs. The company is expanding with the help of $20 million in stimulus money, a move that is expected to add 350 jobs, doubling its local workforce in this hard hit region where the double-digit unemployment rate is above the national average.


Vindicator

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, has been insistent that without the stimulus money, the V&M project would have never happened.

Joel Mastervich, V&M's president and chief operating officer, said the stimulus money "helped propel the project forward." But he added that "the project would have proceeded" without the money.