Strickland talks up stimulus

Stops at machine shop during Youngstown visit

By DARCIE LORENO Tribune Chronicle
YOUNGSTOWN — To show what could result from a $1.57 billion economic stimulus package meant to rejuvenate the state’s economy, Gov. Ted Strickland Tuesday made a stop at Accuform Manufacturing Tuesday.

The machine shop that employs about 30 sits on a spot that was once a brownfield site.

‘‘It includes $200 million for revitalization to do what was done here,’’ the governor said of the package.

As presidential candidate Sen. John McCain stumped across town, Strickland highlighted parts of the package, which includes $400 million for the Clean Ohio Fund and preservation of farmland and green space.

While that $400 million chunk is set to appear on the fall ballot, the remaining money won’t face voters. Funding will come from a variety of sources, mainly general revenue, bonds backed by liquor profits, Ohio tobacco prevention foundation funds and ODOT highway bonds. It will result in more jobs, better infrastructure and preparation for future economic development, said Strickland.

One portion that will directly affect small communities is $400 million in the Public Works Commission that will go to infrastructure like roads, bridges and sewer and water systems.

‘‘That will enable local communities to attend to pressing needs,’’ said Strickland.

Another $150 million will go toward advanced energy initiatives like solar, wind and clean coal technologies, and $120 million toward historic preservation tax credits.

Strickland also emphasized a $250 million set-aside as part of a Higher Education Workforce Initiative that he hopes will retain students who are educated in Ohio.

‘‘We think one way to attract and attain young people ... is to develop cooperative programs between higher education and business and industries and to have well-funded internships,’’ he said.

That pot would be expended over five years, with the remaining portion of the package over three years.

Accuform President Robert Hockenberry said he thinks the package is good for Ohio, manufacturers and the energy industries.

‘‘It seems with everything they’re spending, every bit of money is being spent in the right places if they’re going to spend it,’’ he said.

Strickland also addressed a comprehensive energy reform bill approved by the state Legislature Tuesday meant in part to avoid skyrocketing utility prices. The bill will encourage the development of new industries and technologies, encourage jobs and, most importantly, protect consumers, said Strickland.

‘‘And we’ve done this while being fair to utilities,’’ said Strickland.

Strickland had threatened to veto the bill, wanting to ensure it would prohibit excessive earnings on behalf of utilities and prevent steep rate increases for consumers.

‘‘I insisted we have the ability to protect consumers,’’ he said, adding the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will retain the ability to evaluate any increases and take action to prevent any excessive earnings.



dloreno@tribune-chronicle.com