Portman Asks Barra for Commitment to Lordstown. She Declines.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, says he asked the CEO of General Motors Co., Mary Barra, “to make a public commitment to the Lordstown plant and reinvest in its workforce. She declined.

“I’m disappointed she did not do so, but I’m going to keep fighting for this community,” he said in a statement released by his office.

Portman met with Barra Tuesday, according to a statement release by his office. No details were provided about the meeting or how long it lasted.

“Lordstown has some of the best auto workers in the world, and I remain disappointed by GM’s cutbacks at the plant,” he said in the statement.

“I’ve seen firsthand the world-class cars these exceptionally-skilled workers produce, and if there is not a strong market for the Chevy Cruze right now, I want to be sure GM looks to this plant for production of other vehicles. I will continue to push GM to bring new work to the plant. I will also continue to do everything I can to help workers who are laid off during this transition. GM has a great resource in the Lordstown plant and its employees, and I hope the company will reinvest in the plant and its workforce.”

GM ended its second shift at the plant June 22, the same day that it announced plans to build its rebooted Chevrolet Blazer in Mexico.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said he spoke with Barra in early July.

“She would not commit that they will keep that plant open,” Brown told reporters. “She said it depends on productivity and the Chevy Cruze.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.