President Barack Obama will make a stop in Youngstown Tuesday as part of a tour to promote his administration's efforts to create jobs and improve the economy.
Touting successes like the opening of Revere Data in Youngstown, Cruze production at General Motors and especially the $650 million expansion at V&M Star, officials weren't surprised to hear he'll be stopping here.
"I don't blame Obama for coming, because it's a big deal, and steel, to the Mahoning Valley, is a good thing," said Girard Mayor Jim Melfi. "We're all about it, and we're all about spin-off from all this."
"I anticipated earlier this year I wouldn't be surprised if he did make a visit," said Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams.
The White House announced the visit Thursday as Obama prepared to speak at a manufacturing plant in Buffalo, N.Y. Obama was in the Valley just in September, when he spoke to workers at the GM plant in Lordstown.
Many details about the visit aren't yet available, but sources said the president would stop at V&M Star.
Williams said he is excited to share successes of the entire Valley including Cruze production at GM, the new Revere Data in Youngstown and tentative plans for the expansion of Exal, also in Youngstown.
Williams also hopes to discuss with Obama challenges in the city's neighborhoods.
"We're absolutely happy to have him, and I can think of a number of things to highlight and be proud of and share with the president regarding our economic development efforts," said Williams.
Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Niles, said in a press release he's been urging Obama to visit again and looks forward to showing him the "exciting progress" the Valley is making.
Ryan said it's evident that the area's economic development strategy is bearing fruit and that the Valley is beginning to reap long-term benefits from investments such as the V&M Star expansion and recent developments with Severstal Steel.
"National and international publications have recognized the positive economic news coming from our community," said Ryan. "Our progress has now caught the attention of the president of the United States."
Melfi, who was not happy with the final plan to annex land from Girard to Youngstown for the V&M expansion project, said he's still glad the project is here and agrees it will continue to draw attention and provide a boost for the area.
"We'll watch the dollars very closely," he said. "Aside from that, we're obviously excited to have such a large addition to the community. I think it's a matter of time before more things happen."
