GM's Major Investment in Lordstown Means Security & Stability fo - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

LORDSTOWN, Ohio - Local leaders believe General Motors' $200-million dollar investment in the Lordstown plant to build the next generation Chevrolet Cruze is a major commitment to the Mahoning Valley that provides stability for years to come.

Congressman Tim Ryan, representing the Valley's 17th District, tells 21 News he's thrilled that the area's economic future has been solidified by this major investment and a number of others. "We're secure to 2020 with the new Cruze. The oil and gas thing is just starting to get rolling; the additive manufacturing stuff is just starting to get rolling. So we have a lot of momentum and I think now we are a big destination point for a lot of companies to make investments here. Like we saw with V&M and others," Ryan says.

Lordstown retiree Jim McCormick is thrilled about the announcement after working more than 30 years at the GM plant. "It's a nice future for Mahoning County and Trumbull County and without this plant I think both counties would be devastated," McCormick said.

State Senator Capri Cafaro represents the district and says landing a new product and such a major investment is a tribute to the commitment of the workers at the Lordstown plant. Cafaro says that work has paid-off for the entire community that will benefit from workers and suppliers continuing to spend their money here.

"It's all of the different support services, all of our little small businesses across this community that are going to have an impact because people are going to have a little bit more money in their pocket," Cafaro said.

State Representative Bob Hagan tells 21 News, "It's because of the hard workers, the UAW members who were willing to make those sacrifices, anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000 in cutbacks. That's significant, and that sends a signal to other business people."

Ron Gerberry, also a State Representative for the Valley says, "A lot of good things are happening here and we should keep smiling and forging ahead because there's more good things that will happen."

And all seem to agree that what's made the difference in securing one major investment after another from various industries is business, labor, education, research and lawmakers all working together to achieve the same goal, to create jobs and economic stability for the Valley's future.