Rep. Marcia Fudge, Senator Sherrod Brown and Reps. Tim. Ryan and Marcy Kaptur, Send Joint Letter Urging Lockheed Martin to Keep Jobs in Akron

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representative Marcia L. Fudge, Senator Sherrod Brown and Reps. Tim Ryan and Marcy Kaptur sent a letter today to Lockheed Martin urging the defense contractor to maintain operations in Akron and save about 600 jobs at the facility. The company’s draft consolidation plan would reportedly include closing the Akron plant and relocating workers to Lockheed Martin facilities in other states.

Since reports of the consolidation plan came to light, the offices of Congresswoman Fudge , Senator Brown and Rep. Ryan have held individual discussions with Lockheed Martin’s management expressing their deep concern and disappointment that Lockheed would consider shuttering the competitive Akron plant due to sequestration.

The delegation letter states in part, “This closure would displace many employees, consequently forcing long-standing Ohio families to relocate to other states, while also impacting the Ohio economy.

While we understand that the sequester has threatened the short-term financial outlook of the business, closing facilities and relocating employees will cause damage to the economies of the City of Akron and State of Ohio. If employees of the Akron plant are relocated, the loss of approximately 600 jobs would deliver a major blow to the area. The city would not only lose residents, but the loss of tax revenue would also have a systemic effect on the local economy. “

Read the full letter here.

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