Leaders Plan to Visit Dearborn, Mich., to Discuss New Vehicle for Louisville
FRANKFORT, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson talked this morning with Ford Motor Co. officials about the company’s planned job cutbacks at the Louisville Assembly Plant this summer.
During an early morning conference call, Ford officials discussed plans to eliminate the second shift at the Louisville Assembly Plant this summer as part of job cutbacks at four plants prompted by a softening economy and reduced customer demand.
Ford officials also underscored their long-term commitment to their Louisville operations and their plans to reinvest in both plants. Ford officials made it clear the company intends to invest in a new body shop and a new product at Louisville Assembly Plant in line with their previous commitments.
“I share the disappointment of the men and women at the Ford facility in Louisville. However, I am optimistic that we will be able to work with officials at Ford to create job opportunities that will bring about greater job security for years to come,” said Gov. Beshear.
Mayor Abramson said, “The greatest incentive for Ford’s continued investment in Kentucky is the caliber of their Louisville workforce and the quality of the products those men and women produce.”
The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Louisville last year approved a $60 million tax incentive package that Ford Motor Co. can use for improvements and upgrades at the Kentucky Truck Plant. The package can also be renegotiated for additional investments made at either Ford plants in Louisville.
Beshear and Abramson plan to meet with Ford leaders in Dearborn, Mich., in the next few weeks to continue discussions about Ford’s new investments in Louisville. The two leaders will work closely with Kentucky Economic Development Secretary John Hindman and Joe Reagan, President and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce.
“Ford Motor Company and the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been working together for a century,” Beshear said. “We will work as a team to ensure this strong, successful partnership continues for decades to come.”
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