Treasury to Turner: We Support Redevelopment of Moraine Plant
New York Times Covers Moraine Plant Redevelopment Push
Rep. Mike Turner today thanked the Department of Commerce for supporting the taxpayer funded plan for reuse of the General Motors Moraine Assembly Plant. Congressman Turner has sought assistance from President Barack Obama, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Commerce in order to prevent the facility from being sold for scrap.
As noted in today’s New York Times, in response to Rep. Turner’s recent inquiries, the Treasury Department acknowledged in a letter Rep. Turner released today that the Administration’s Automotive Task Force had stressed “the importance of supporting redevelopment and job creation.”
“While we have more to do, I greatly appreciate the support our community received from the Department of Commerce,” Rep. Turner said. In a letter from Assistant Secretary of Commerce Fernandez to the Department of Treasury, Sec. Fernandez recognized the existing federal investment in the strategic planning by the Moraine community for the site’s reuse, and stated that, “Treasury should consider using these strategic plans as a tool for assessing the alignment of the potential buyers’ interest.”
“Commerce understands this issue and how significant it is to our community” Turner said.
The letter from the Department of the Treasury states: “We have spoken to Old GM about the Moraine plant, and we have impressed upon the company the importance of supporting redevelopment and job creation in the sale process and seeking the input of the local community.”
Congressman Turner secured funding for a Commerce study after the facility was designated for closure in 2008. The economic development strategy that resulted from the study called for the community to focus on the assets of the facility in addition to looking at multiple users interested in parcels of land at the Moraine facility. News reports and community leaders state that numerous parties have expressed strong interest in the site.
“The Departments of Commerce and Treasury support the redevelopment of the Moraine plant” Turner said. “Motors Liquidation must now recognize the importance of the site’s redevelopment as well.”