Officials seek to repair Indalex extrusion press

WARREN — State, federal and local officials met Saturday in Niles and are now pledging to provide grants or loans to help the aluminum extruder Indalex Aluminum Solutions repair an extrusion press blamed for the layoff of 47 workers.

At Wednesday’s county commissioners meeting, Arnie Clebone, regional economic director for the Ohio Department of Development, said the agency “should be able to make an offer” to Indalex for some type of help with the $185,000 equipment repair.

“We’re very concerned about the situation,” Clebone said.

Following an announcement in Sept. 10 of the first round of layoffs, Indalex said Sept. 19 that it would be laying off another 87 workers at its Girard plant in November because of a softening in the housing market for which it supplies building materials. The layoffs represent more than a third of the plant’s 365-person workforce.

Commissioners approved legislation at the meeting directing the county’s planning commission to work with Clebone and representatives from Congressman Tim Ryan’s office and others to provide assistance.

For more, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.