US Rep. Tim Ryan says weekend rally for TJX helped company recommit to Lordstown

NILES — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan said a rally Sunday where about 600 people showed up to voice their support for a potential TJX warehouse in Lordstown was a major factor in the company’s decision to recommit to the project.

“They needed to know the community was behind it, and we had a packed house,” Ryan said.

Ryan said he was concerned the Mahoning Valley would develop a reputation for being unwelcoming to businesses.

“We spend most of our time trying to increase businesses already here or bring people in,” Ryan said. “The last thing you want is a reputation that you don’t want a big business that wants to bring in thousands of jobs.”

He called the company’s decision some of the best news the Valley has received in a long time.