In early May, Toledo officials announced the expansion or new location of four manufacturing plants in the city. The four announced projects will result in 360 new jobs and $17.5 million of new investment. The new jobs will add $11.5 million of new payroll dollars in the city.

Three of the new plants will supply parts to the expanded Jeep assembly operations. The City of Toledo is currently working with four other Jeep plant suppliers on potential locations for additional new facilities. Toledo Mayor Jack Ford advised that the City expects to make a couple of more announcements of new supplier facilities in the next several months.

One of the new plants will be owned by Toledo's Dana Corporation and will be located in an existing building on Matzinger Road, according to City of Toledo officials. The facility will hire 85 new employees.

A second supplier facility will be located in the former DeVilbiss building in north Toledo. The plant will be operated by Toledo Molding and Die as part of a partnership with Visteon, according to City of Toledo officials. The new operation will have 120 employees.

A third supplier facility will be owned and operated by Decoma International. The company is a Canadian firm and is a subsidiary of Magna International. Decoma plans to construct a new facility in North Cross Industrial Park, according to City of Toledo officials. The company anticipates hiring 125 employees for the new operation.

"The Jeep supplier story is one that is being told across the country and around the world. In March of this year we announced Ventra, another automotive supplier that will occupy the old Sears Warehouse on Fearing Boulevard adding 39 jobs," explained Mayor Ford.

"I want to explain that while some have accused me of making these new job announcements for political purposes, the timing is simply based on when these deals are complete," Ford explained.

Toledo Business Journal attempted to contact each of the three new Jeep suppliers announced by City of Toledo officials. Each advised that the City's announcement was premature and they had no comment. DaimlerChrysler officials were also contacted. Similarly, the automaker indicated that it was premature to discuss these possible Jeep supplier agreements.

The City of Toledo's announcement of these new Jeep suppliers was hastily set up on the same day that 0-1 officials scheduled their announcement that the company's headquarters was moving out of downtown Toledo.

It appears that City of Toledo officials moved up the timing of the announcement of these Jeep supplier plants in order to divert attention and lessen the public relations blow of the O-I departure.

Bill Carroll, the City of Toledo's economic development director, also discussed plans for an industrial park on Matzinger Road in proximity to the Jeep assembly plants. The City of Toledo is allempting to put together approximately 200 acres at this site for future supplier facilities. Instead of purchasing this land, City officials are attempting to get the landowners to put together a program that will make it easier for prospects to review and consider various parcels.

Carroll also advised that the North Cross Industrial Park was now close to having all of its sites sold and the Matzinger Road industrial acreage would provide capability for future facility locations.

City of Toledo officials also announced that New Technology Steel, LLC is planning to expand its current facility. The company is located on Fearing Boulevard close to the central city. New Technology Steel is planning to hire 30 additional employees.