LIMA, OHIO City officials raise money to support Army tank plant

LIMA, Ohio (AP) -- A group of business and civic leaders is raising money in hopes of making sure that the Lima Army Tank Plant is not included in a new round of military base closings.
The group has collected $20,000 from two businesses and has an additional $10,000 pledged toward the fund. The group wants to use the money to make sure state and federal officials are aware of the plant's importance. The tank plant employs about 500 workers and makes the Abrams M1A2 tanks.
Under legislation passed two years ago, the Pentagon is required to present by May 2005 a list of bases it recommends for closure or realignment.
Verhoff Machine, which supplies armor plates and seats for the tank plant, contributed $10,000.
"It's not just the tank plant that's affected, it's our whole community," said company owner Ed Verhoff. "The economy is down and this is one area that has been steady."
The state is offering financial help to five Ohio communities, including Lima, that are trying to keep military facilities open.
The Department of Development will provide a total of $1.5 million in grants to help local officials respond to expected announcements about bases next year.
The Defense Department's Base Realignment and Closure Commission will aim to eliminate as many as 100 installations, which represent a quarter of the nation's bases.