Commissioners Approve $1.5 Million For Maumee Authority Stamping

BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Lucas County commissioners voted 2-1 on Tuesday to approve a $1.5 million short-term loan for Maumee Authority Stamping to purchase the idled Illinois Avenue Ford facility.
“This levels the playing field,” said commissioner Ben Konop. “We have a hardworking, skilled workforce that can’t be beat by anyone on a level playing field.”
The approval brings hundreds of displaced workers one step closer to getting back to doing what they do best, said former Ford employees Louise Wright and Cindy McNamara.
The two women were among dozens who headed downtown to hear whether the commissioners would finally vote – after tabling a decision twice – to loan the money after the October 15 closing with Ford.
McNamara worked at Ford’s Edison, N.J., plant before transferring to Maumee in 2005, only to lose her production job when the plant shut down 18 months later.
Wright worked production for eight years in Maumee. The two have interviewed for jobs with MAS and are willing to invest the required $16,000 in the employee-owned venture.
“No one is going to go into work after investing $16,000 and say, ‘I don’t want to work today,’” said Wright, a Maumee resident.
Employee ownership is key to keeping the facility productive and profitable, said MAS president and chief executive officer Keith Obey. He already has $900,000 in employee commitments, but cannot use the money for operating capital until November, after the Securities and Exchange Commission finishes its approval.
The $1.5 million loan will boost the MAS operating capital to $3 million – the amount needed to purchase the land, building and equipment from Ford Motor Company for $14 million, Obey said.
Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak voted against the loan.
“I’m not against this project. I love the fact that it will create jobs,” Wozniak said. But after spending the past month asking county officials to cut their budgets, she didn’t feel it was right to dip into the county’s rainy day fund for such a large loan, she said.
Konop, who had previously voiced concern about the loan, voted in favor along with commissioner Pete Gerken. In the past week, commissioners met with Obey to iron out conditions, which include securing the loan with accounts receivable and inventory, Konop said.
“I appreciate your patience and persistence,” Konop told MAS representatives. “The ball is in your court now.”
“It almost feels like this is a birthday,” Gerken said. “After nine or 10 months, the baby’s overdue.”
Obey and his all-volunteer committee have worked for almost a year navigating financing options, quoting parts for a variety of customers and planning how to get the plant started the day of closing.
As these volunteers and former Ford employees gathered in the lobby following the vote, Obey said, “This is the best group I’ve been associated with in 34 years. My prayers go with you. I can’t thank you enough. Now what are we going to do?”
“Work!” the group replied in unison.
“If we get a fraction of the work we’ve quoted in the last year, we’ll be doing well,” Obey replied.
MAS could generate 250 jobs paying $14.00 to $20.00 per hour, but will start out with a smaller crew. In addition, MAS is teaming up with Lott Industries to hire people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
Nearly 400 Lott employees lost jobs after Ford closed its Maumee plant, said Joan Brown, president of Lott Industries. Finding other employment has been tough, Brown said, and the change was also difficult for those who worked in the same location for up to 26 years.
“Our employees loved the fact that they were building Ford trucks and cars. They viewed themselves as working for Ford,” Brown said.
Lott employees may assist with painting, cleaning, landscaping and custodial work as Maumee Authority Stamping prepares to open its doors.