43
Kasich visits V&M, Delphi
Photo
Governor John Kasich
YOUNGSTOWN
Gov. John Kasich met privately with officials from two of the Mahoning Valley’s biggest companies: V&M Star and Delphi.
Kasich, a Republican, often speaks behind closed doors with business executives all over the state, said Rob Nichols, his spokesman.
During Tuesday’s stops to V&M Star and Delphi, Kasich asked officials of the companies how the state can help their businesses, what is state government doing right, and what can it do better to help the companies, Nichols said.
This was the first unannounced visit to the area by the governor and didn’t include time for the press to speak to Kasich, Nichols confirmed.
“Not everything is a media event,” Nichols said.
Before the tours, Kasich was interviewed live on 570 WKBN-AM radio.
Attempts Tuesday by The Vindicator to interview Kasich were unsuccessful.
When Kasich has a public event, his office usually gives a day or two notice to the media. Unlike his predecessor, Democrat Ted Strickland, Kasich doesn’t provide the media with a schedule on Friday of where he’ll be the following week. Instead, Kasich provides a “week in review” each Friday.
Kasich’s first visit to the Valley as governor was Jan. 25. He met privately that day with officials at the Lordstown General Motors complex and toured the facility before answering questions from the media.
Also, Kasich toured MAC Trailer’s Salem facility last week with the media invited to attend.
The Tuesday visit was the fifth time Kasich has come to the Valley since his four-year term as governor started in January.
V&M Star in Youngstown makes seamless tubes for the oil and gas industry and is building a $650 million expansion.
Delphi, with a plant in Howland and a research facility in Champion, makes wiring for various industries.