ST. PAUL, MN — Ramsey County Commissioners approved a resolution last week in support of the efforts of the city of St. Paul and the state of Minnesota to save the Ford Plant in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood. The resolution was submitted by Commissioner Rafael Ortega, whose district includes the 86-year-old plant, and co-sponsored by Commissioner Janice Rettman.

“This plant has been an economic engine in St. Paul and Ramsey County for generations,” said Ortega. “At its peak, it provided high-paying jobs to 1,800 workers and paid $1.8 million annually in local property taxes. Ford and its local employees have long been a valuable part of our community and we want to do everything in our power to keep the plant in operation.”

In their resolution, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners resolved to support the efforts that the City of Saint Paul and the State of Minnesota are making to retain the Ford Plant as a manufacturing facility; including:
• Communicating regularly with Ford executives and offering real partnership to make the facility continue to be effective for the company.
• Working diligently with other relevant levels of government, including Ramsey County, to ensure that we are competitive with other cities and regions.
• Carefully targeting financial incentives to upgrade the Ford Parkway building so it can create great vehicles for future generations.

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photo:Rafeal Ortega