TWINSBURG, OH — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today met with auto workers and community leaders affected by the proposed Twinsburg Chrysler plant closing. Brown was joined by Twinsburg Mayor Katherine Procop.

“We are exploring all avenues to keep jobs and economic activity in Twinsburg,” Brown said. “We also need to ensure that the Twinsburg region receives federal attention and resources during this difficult time. I’ve discussed the Twinsburg closing with administration officials and will continue to fight for federal assistance.”

At today’s meeting, Brown discussed federal support that could retrain Twinsburg workers and invest in community redevelopment. This morning, Brown spoke with U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to request timely assistance to the Twinsburg community through a National Emergency Grant (NEG). Brown also helped facilitate a meeting between Twinsburg Mayor Procop and Ed Montgomery, President Obama’s Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers that will take place later this week.

Earlier this year, Brown introduced legislation that would accelerate federal assistance to communities facing sudden and severe job loss and economic distress. Brown’s bill would create a “rapid response” program to coordinate federal assistance in economic and workforce development initiatives through partnerships among the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Agriculture, and Small Business Administration.

Brown also secured $50 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) specifically for the most economically distressed regions of the country.

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