News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today issued the following statement in response to the announcement from Ford Motor Company that it will close its Cleveland Casting Facility by 2009.

"I am very concerned about the announcement today that Ford Motor Company will be closing the Cleveland Casting Facility by 2009, and will be idling Cleveland Engine 1 for a period of 12 months, both located on Ford’s 365-acre campus in Brook Park. I am especially concerned with the impact on the more than 2,500 men and women who work at the Ford Brook Park facility and their families.

I will continue to work with our partners at the county, city, and federal level, and I will continue my direct discussions with Ford executives to address this situation. A working group was formed in Fall 2006 comprised of representatives from the UAW, City of Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, and state and federal government, bringing together all interested parties to provide technical support, advocacy, employee assistance, and other expertise to meet the needs of Ford and its valued employees in the region.

The working group will continue in its efforts to encourage Ford to continue its Brook Park operations, and work with the community, the union, and Ford to explore all options. I want to especially commend the collaborative efforts of Mayor Mark Elliott of Brook Park; Tim Levandusky, President of the United Auto Workers Local 1250; the Brook Park City Council; the Cuyahoga County Commissioners; State Representative Mike Foley; State Senator Dale Miller; U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich; U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown; and U.S. Senator George Voinovich to address the needs of Ford and the dedicated workers impacted by this decision."

Ford Motor Company operates ten facilities in Ohio, employing 13,000.

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Media Contact: Kimber Perfect (614) 644-0247; kperfect@odod.state.oh.us.