WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH-4) today announced that, following their letters in support of Phase Two grant funding for Allen County, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment has awarded $3,013,590 to the county. Allen County qualified for this grant due to job loss at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima.

“Ohio’s economic strength relies on its dedicated, innovative workforce,” Brown said. “And the men and women at JSMC are an example of that tradition. These federal resources will help ensure that workers in Lima are equipped with resources and training opportunities. I will continue fighting for JSMC and the workers in Allen County.”

Allen County administrators used Phase One dollars to develop an economic SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of Allen County. This Phase Two funding will be used to turn that initial study into an action plan to help refine manufacturing processes, potentially introduce new manufacturing processes for use by local defense contractors, and support any future efforts to train workers at the JSMC and among its supporting suppliers.

“This is really a success story of the value of organizing the JSMC stakeholders through Task Force Lima,” Portman said. “I was happy to help organize a meeting with the Office of Economic Adjustment in the Pentagon when the Task Force came to D.C. in May of 2013. Since then, the Task Force leadership has run with this grant opportunity and made it an important resource for managing through the changes at the tank plant to make sure it’s ready for future work.”

“Allen County’s workers are some of the best in the country, and they have provided our army with the world’s best tanks for decades,” Jordan said. “The Phase Two grant money will be well-spent ensuring that Lima’s hardworking residents will continue to play a vital role in keeping our country safe, and growing Ohio’s manufacturing sector for decades to come.”

Brown has been a longtime champion of the JSMC and has worked over the years with Senate Armed Services and the Department of Defense leadership to promote the work done in Lima. In February 2015, during a meeting with then-U.S. Secretary of Defense nominee Dr. Ashton Carter, Brown urged that the Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle – produced at JSMC – be considered to replace the tracked M113 combat ambulance vehicle, scheduled to be retired in the coming years. In Dec. 2014, the Senate passed legislation that would keep jobs at the JSMC.

Brown’s letter can be found below.

August 5, 2015

 

 

 

Michael Gilroy

Industry Adjustment Team Lead

Office of Economic Adjustment, OSD

2231 Crystal Drive - Suite 520

Arlington, VA 22202

 

Dear Mr. Gilroy:

 

As the Office of Economic Adjustment considers grant proposals, I would like to bring your attention to the application submitted by Allen County (DIA) Ohio, FAIN:  HQ00051410027, OEA Locator:  CR1332-14-01, Phase 2 Grant Application.

The Office of Economic Adjustment Phase 1 Grant for Allen County provided a jointly developed, community approved action plan for Allen County and the rest of Northwest Ohio.

Implementation of the proposed Phase 2 Grant Application is of vital importance to the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) and the specialized workforce that supports our nation’s military.

This proposal deserves full and fair consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact my staff.

 

Sincerely,

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