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WARREN -- Dennis Blank will be the first to tell you that creating a friendly, pleasant and welcoming environment is an invaluable prelude to attracting industry that promises to generate significant job growth and a stronger, more vibrant local economy.
"We're trying to make Warren a more pleasant and affordable place," Blank, volunteer administrator with the nonprofit Fund for Warren's Future, said. "We're trying to make sure that Warren gets a serious look from all of these people."
The people he was referring to are employees of Foxconn, a Tiawanese company that is the world's largest contract manufacturer of consumer electronics, including Apple iPhones.
The business also took center stage for Saturday's Warren Welcomes Foxconn Day, which began with a rally and opening ceremony at Warren G. Harding High School, then continued at BRITE Energy Innovators on Courthouse Square.
BRITE is the nation's third-largest energy incubator.
Last May, Foxconn acquired the former General Motors Corp. plant in Lordstown from Lordstown Motors Inc. for $230 million and has secured agreements with Lordstown Motors to produce the Endurance, its battery-powered truck.
Blank noted that Fund for Warren's Future, a partnership between city government and the private business community, is funding improvements along the Mahoning River and in the city's parks. In addition, efforts are being made to showcase downtown offerings that include restaurants, retail businesses and entertainment opportunities, all to highlight how important Foxconn is to the local community, explained Blank, who said he hopes Warren will be "the capital of Voltage Valley."
Also beneficial is Warren's close proximity to Lordstown, he added.
Acting as master of ceremonies for Saturday morning's rally was Jim Fogarty, who owns Warren-based 2 Ticks & the Dog Productions Inc.
Fogarty told a crowd of a few hundred who came to the high school that Foxconn's interest in setting up shop in the Valley is a throwback to, and continuation of, Warren's early history in which many innovative "newcomers" from elsewhere built much of the city of about 39,000.
"We're honored to be recognized in Warren," Rick Rajaie, vice president of business operations for Foxconn North America, said.
During his remarks at the rally, Rajaie, who came to the area in June 2021, mentioned the Livermore, Calif.-based Monarch Tractor and its MK-V series farm tractors. Earlier this year, the first five such vehicles were produced at Foxconn's assembly plant.
The tractors will combine automation and electrification, and will improve safety while allowing farmers to reduce carbon emissions and increase profitability, according to Monarch.
In addition, Foxconn is working with more than 20 partners to bring additional products to the Valley, Rajaie continued.
Providing the entertainment at the rally was the Warren G. Harding High jazz band.
Among the numerous entities that took part in the meet-and-greet portion at BRITE were the YWCA of Warren, Trumbull Family Fitness, the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Jobs for Ohio's Graduates, Warren John F. Kennedy High School, Trumbull Regional Medical Center, Ohio Minority Business Assistance Centers, 7/17 Credit Union, Kent State University at Trumbull and Huntington Bank.
Also on hand were members of Team Elite, Harding High's robotics team, who conducted a series of demonstrations with a remote-controlled robot team members designed, called Extreme Machine 26. The name came from the fact that the team is 26 years old, Michael Whiddon, 15, a team member, explained.
The students used their talents and areas of specialty to design the robot, and derived inspiration and mentorship from past members, he added.
Also happy with Warren's business outlook was county Commissioner Niki Frenchko.
"There's excitement surrounding new industry growth and expansion into emerging fields, demonstrating that our community is willing to step up in training future employees," Frenchko said, adding that she and other city and county officials will support Foxconn's foray into the community, as well as other business endeavors.