ABOVE: Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron
Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron told CIMG Thursday morning (Sept 18th) that the group he took to Washington, D.C; including Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; has been talking about getting help with a couple of big assists. Marron says one topic involves a couple of existing Vermilion County industries that would like to expand and bring in more jobs. But in order to do that, they need some tariff relief.
AUDIO: A couple internationally owned firms that would like to increase production; but they’ve got to bring in their proprietary equipment from overseas. And the tariffs are prohibiting that right now. One of them specifically reached out to me, and said that they could actually add production and add jobs right now; but the tariffs are causing an issue.
Marron says his team is communicating with Congresswoman Robin Kelly.
AUDIO: We received some overwhelming support from Congresswoman Kelly. She’s definitely very supportive of our position on this. It’s a very hot button political issue in Washington, D.C. right now. But definitely, the elected officials we talked to are very supportive of our stance.
Meanwhile, Marron and Vermilion Advantage have requested funding for flooding remediation assistance along the East Voorhees Corridor, which Marron says is critical for substantial industrial redevelopment in that area. Marron says; so far so good, but there’s plenty of work left to do.
AUDIO: At a meeting with Senator Durbin this morning, we were notified; we had applied for some Congressionally directed spending, back in April through his office; and his staff notified us that we made the first round of cuts for that spending. We still have a long way to go to getting the appropriation for that; because it has to go through the budget process; and a lot of political back and forth, which is happening right now on the hill. But we’re very hopeful having made it through the first round, and we’re very very happy and thankful for the Senator’s support with that project.
Marron was scheduled to return home Thursday afternoon.
