Senate confirms Williams as the head of Economic Development Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the Senate confirmation of Mahoning Valley native and former Youngstown mayor Jay Williams to a key Administration post. In December 2013, Brown introduced Williams at a confirmation hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). The Senate confirmed Williams as Assistant Secretary for Economic Development at the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

The EDA leads the federal economic-development agenda by promoting innovation and collaboration, and helping communities build the foundation for long-term growth, according to the White House.

President Barack Obama nominated Williams to the position Sept. 10, 2013.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted Dec. 17 to recommend the nomination to the full Senate.

Because the appointment wasn’t confirmed by the Senate by Dec. 31, Obama had to renominate Williams, which he did Jan. 6. The committee voted again on Feb. 6 to recommend his confirmation.

Williams spent 5 1/2 years as mayor of Youngstown. He resigned Aug. 1, 2011, to join Obama’s administration as executive director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, a position he still has.