WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today urged the Obama administration to swiftly review a proposed purchase of the GM Moraine site. Brown wrote to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder requesting quick consideration of the transaction.

“Ohio auto communities have been some of the hardest hit by the recent recession,” Sen. Brown wrote in the letter. “This redevelopment project for Moraine represents a clear path toward recovery and renewed growth.”

In October, Brown announced that Moraine would receive $3 million for GM plant site cleanup as a result of an agreement worked out between the former General Motors (now known as Motors Liquidation Company or MLC) and the State of Ohio.

Sen. Brown is working with MLC and the Ohio Department of Development to ensure the purchaser of the GM Moraine plant redevelops the facility and restores the site’s status as a major employer.


Below is the full text of the letter.

December 16, 2010

The Honorable Timothy Geithner                 
Secretary of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20220

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.
Attorney General of the United States
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C 20530

 
Dear Secretary Geithner and Attorney General Holder:

I am writing to express my strong support for the request from the City of Moraine and the State of Ohio to proceed with plans to redevelop the former Moraine General Motors Assembly Plant. The goal of both City and State officials is to generate jobs and boost the local economy by returning this property to productive use. Funds set aside from the settlement with Motors Liquidation Company (MLC) for environmental cleanup at the Moraine plant will assist in this endeavor. Recently, MLC, which owns the former General Motors assembly plant in Moraine, signed a contract with a company that pledges to redevelop the site with the community and state of Ohio.

I understand the federal government is in the process of reviewing this transaction with appropriate state and local officials. I urge you to review this transaction as swiftly as possible so that the City and State can take action as soon as possible to restore and revitalize the Moraine community.  As you know, Ohio auto communities have been some of the hardest hit by the recent recession.  This redevelopment project for Moraine represents a clear path toward recovery and renewed growth.


Sincerely,


            
                        Sherrod Brown                    
                    United States Senator 

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