GM CEO speaks at Lordstown on Thursday

LORDSTOWN — The success of the General Motors complex here is not only central to the economy of the Mahoning Valley, but all of Ohio, state officials say.

Because of that, state officials have gone the extra mile when it comes to the GM plant.

The state is providing more than $80 million in incentives to GM for the company to build the Chevrolet Cruze. Production on GM’s next generation compact car is to begin in mid-2010.

GM was to officially announce Thursday a multimillion-dollar investment in its Lordstown complex and release official photos of the Cruze.

On hand for the announcement is to be Rick Wagoner, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer; Cal Rapson, United Auto Workers international vice president of the GM Division; Gov. Ted Strickland; and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.