BEDFORD, OH – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) participated in a meeting between Bedford city officials, management from Ben Venue Laboratories Inc., and U.S. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11). The meeting was a part of local officials’ efforts to work with the company to find a buyer to save local jobs.

“For more than 80 years Ben Venue and Bedford have been partners in creating jobs and promoting economic growth in the region,” Brown said. “That is why today’s meeting was so encouraging. The company has agreed to work with the city in order to find it a new buyer for the facility. I thank Bedford for its dedication and Ben Venue for its cooperation.”

Earlier this month, Ben Venue, a German based drug production company, announced that it would stop production by the end of 2013 and phase out more than 1,100 jobs through 2014. The company has operated in Bedford for more than 80 years.

During today’s meeting, Ben Venue agreed to work in close coordination with Bedford in order to help find a buyer for its facility, and has agreed to weekly meetings with local officials.

Participants in the meeting from Ben Venue included George Doyle, President and CEO of Ben Venue, Bedford; Bill Owens, VP, Finance, Ben Venue, Bedford; as well as other representatives from the company. Local officials in attendance included Fudge, Bedford Mayor Daniel Pocek, and a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH).

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