OBAMA VISIT: Investing in job creation is ‘the right thing to do’
Obama at V&M Star
Watch President Barack Obama's entire speech at V&M Star in Youngstown on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Reaction To Obama's V&M Star Visit
Local reaction to President Barack Obama's speech at V&M Star in Youngstown, OH May 18, 2010
President Obama Visits V&M Star
President Barack Obama today pledged to keep America investing in the middle class -- forged in places like V&M Star -- so that places like Youngstown don’t just survive, “but thrive."
He discussed “a piece of encouraging news, for a change,” referring to stimulus funding investments made for private sector job growth, in places such as new construction and a rail spur at V&M Star.
The local effort involves $650 million of the parent company’s money to build a new mill in Youngstown, with the largest plant built in the Mahoning Valley since GM Lordstown in the 1960s.
“Just think about where we were a year ago. Our economies were collapsing,” he said.
Unpopular steps were required to rescue the economy, such as intervening in the auto industry and propping up some financial institutions. “Any fair minded person would say if we hadn’t acted, more people in the Valley, more people in Ohio, more people across America would be out of a job today.”
He cited the GM plant in Lordstown as a direct example.
“It was the right thing to do.”
The president said it was good to be back in the Mahoning Valley.
“It was important for me to meet you all directly,” he said.
Obama toured V&M Star prior to addressing a crowd of about 150.
“When you walk through it’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s like a movie scene.”
Obama had finished a brief tour of the V&M Star factory along with Gov. Ted Strickland, company officials and at least eight Secret Service members. The press was kept too far away to hear any of the conversation. Waiting for him to enter the plant were dignitaries including Strickland, U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, John Boccieri and Charlie Wilson, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Girard Mayor James Melfi, and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.
Air Force One pulled up to the Air Force Reserve base in Vienna Township earlier than expected today -- about 12:33 p.m.
The president was taken by motorcade to V&M Star in Youngstown, where he will tour the pipe-making facility and discuss the federal stimulus program. V&M Star has announced a massive expansion with $20 million from stimulus funds.
He was greeted by local representatives, including Mayor Jay Williams and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.
The president came down the airplane stairs with a wave, alone.
The motorcade pulled away about 12:41 p.m.
At the V&M Star plant, Mobile Restroom Suites of North Lima provided restroom facilities for the president and his entourage.
White House staff on Friday contacted the operations manager and minority business owner of Portable Restroom Trailers to provide upscale mobile restroom trailer facilities.
Mobile Restroom Suites offered complete privacy without side-by-side stalls to ensure the president’s safety.
The restroom trailers feature granite-look counter tops, stainless steel sinks, full vanity mirrors and lighting. Each trailer comes complete with hand towels, soaps, and supplies. All have china flushable facilities.
The 8-by-12-foot trailer was delivered Tuesday to the V&M Star location for Obama’s arrival.