Officials of local companies meet with defense contractors

Officials from about 10 local companies met with representatives from six major contractors for the U.S. Department of Defense to build relationships and identify potential partnerships.

The goal is to increase the Mahoning Valley’s presence in federal defense-related research and improve the area’s economic development, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who helped organize the visit with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the Greater Akron Chamber.

The contractor representatives visited Youngstown, Kent and Akron today.

“We see this as ... as an opportunity throughout the 17th Congressional District to try to plug in our local business, manufacturers into the Pentagon and into the defense industrial base,” said Ryan, appointed to the U.S. House Defense Appropriations Committee in May. “It’s a great opportunity for future development here.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com