43
Local company officials meet with defense contractors interested in city
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
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 along with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the Greater Akron Chamber.
The contractor representatives visited Youngstown, Kent and Akron on Tuesday.
“We see this ... 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.”
Ryan and chamber officials refused to disclose the names of the six companies, saying it’s standard on visits such as this for the businesses to not be identified.
“It’s safe to say there isn’t one company that isn’t highly recognized,” said Walter Good, the Regional Chamber’s vice president for economic development, retention and expansion.
Among the Valley businesses meeting with the defense contractors were RTI International, M7 Technologies, Fireline Inc., Thomas Steel Strip Corp., Delphi, Theiss Aviation and AST2.
“They’re genuinely interested,” said Jack Scott, president of AST2, a company in the Youngstown Business Incubator that provides technology commercialization assistance. “There are a lot of reasons to be interested in Youngstown.”
Companies can save money by using local suppliers to cut costs and share research to improve their products, Ryan said.
“We have begun to build strong relationships; laying the foundation for a vibrant and diversified economy that incorporates first-class research, advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing facilities with a business-friendly climate and highly trained work force,” Ryan said.