Mitsubishi Task Force forms to help find buyer for the plant

Posted on August 6, 2015

By Joe Ragusa

NORMAL – Elected officials at the local, state and federal level are forming a committee to help those affected by the pending closure of the Mitsubishi Plant.

The Mitsubishi Task Force met for the first time Thursday. It consists of the mayors and city managers of Bloomington and Normal, state and federal lawmakers as well as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Mitsubishi Motors of North America and United Auto Workers Local 2488 also have representatives on the task force.

Normal City Manager Mark Peterson said the task force will help find a buyer for the plant and employment for potentially displaced workers.

“As you might expect, (Mitsubishi) is being inundated by calls from not only the media, but other groups around the state that want to help,” Peterson said.

Mitsubishi spokesman Dan Irvin said a marketing firm may be brought in to help find a buyer.

“The primary objective is to bring an existing automaker to run the facility, continue the employment and perhaps grow the employment,” Irvin said.

Economic Development Council CEO Kyle Ham has been voted to be chairman of the task force.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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