1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to you as a concerned employee of the Vitro Automotive Glass factory in Crestline, Richland County, where they have announced plans to close the factory by 2026. They have also announced plans to close their satellite facility next door named Mid-Ohio Glass. This decision has not only impacted me but also my colleagues and our community. The closure of our factory will result in the loss of 400+ jobs, which is a significant blow to local families and the economy. Many of us have dedicated years of service to this company, and the sudden announcement has left us anxious about our futures and our ability to provide for our families. This closure would have a huge impact on the towns of Crestline, Ontario, Mansfield and the whole of Richland County in general. Along with being one of the largest employers in the county, our factory also supports multiple local satellite businesses who deal almost exclusively with our company. Our closure would most likely cause a domino-effect of closures including companies such as Schilling in Crestline and Anthony-Lee in Galion. Our largest competition, the Chinese company Fuyao located in Moraine, Ohio has been under investigation by the FBI and IRS, and I am sure you are aware of the high-profile raids of their facilities recently for financial and trafficking crimes. I believe that if anything were to happen to Fuyao, that it is important to maintain Vitro as a viable alternative in Ohio, so that the state is competitive in the automotive manufacturing industry. Please consider any options that may be possible to persuade Vitro corporate to reconsider their plans to close our factory. Whether it be incentives or further negotiations with our state leadership. Our local communities need your help. Thank you.