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| BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY |
Some great news today out of Toledo. Governor Kasich and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that the company will invest $500 million in the Toledo plant and add a second shift, which will bring 1,100 new jobs.
“The decision we made clearly demonstrates the confidence we have in the Toledo Assembly complex, in its future, and moreover, in the commitment and quality of work of the people who work here,” Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told a crowd of hundreds of workers as well as dignitaries including Gov. John Kasich, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), and Toledo Mayor Mike Bell.
Kasich’s number one priority is to bring jobs back to Ohio. Jobs are why he won the election, and why Ted Strickland was fired. Take this prophetic post from 3BP 2 years ago, and you start to get an idea of the contrast between the two governors.
A Governor’s media operation is the driving force behind the message a Governor wants to send to his constituency. It communicates to the mainstream media each new idea, program, policy shift, and solution coming from the man in charge.
So, after looking at all 151 press releases distributed in 2009, how many address specific state-sponsored policy initiatives, ideas, or programs directly intended to solve Ohio’s job crisis?
Nine.
Just 6% of the Governor’s press releases discuss ways Ohio’s Governor is working to get his state back to work.
You can be assured that John Kasich considers bringing jobs to Ohio to be much more important than his predecessor. He will be judged on his success in that regard as his term marches on. Here’s hoping that his efforts continue to pay off and that today was just a start of more good news to come.
UPDATE: Governor Kasich will also appear in Lorain today for more big jobs news for northern Ohio.
LORAIN — The investment at Republic Steel for the new electric arc furnace is going to be $85.2 million. It is expected to create 449 jobs and generate $1 billion a year in economic activity for Ohio, according to a release from Republic Steel.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Lorain, believe me, this is very very welcome news.
A good day for Ohio jobs.
