VP Vance, Ohio leaders deliver speak after major investment made at Middletown steel plant
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio —
United States Vice President JD Vance is returning home Friday, but it’s more than just a stop in his hometown.
You can watch the full event from Middletown in the video player at the top of this story.
Investment Announcement
A major economic announcement is coming at Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Manufacturing.
“Investment” is the keyword for Vance’s stop, as we’re expecting an announcement that will help bolster the steel plant. It’s also likely Vance will be doing a bit of campaigning as well.
The vice president, along with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, will join other state and local officials Friday. We’re still waiting on specifics of what that could be. The announcement was originally planned for Wednesday, before Vance was scheduled to appear.
According to their website, Cleveland-Cliffs is North America’s leader in steelmaking sustainability. It’s also a business that is close to Vance’s family.
He details in his book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” that his grandfather worked at the facility for decades, when it was Armco Steel.
Commitment 2026
Not to be forgotten, it’s election season. November’s election is less than 75 days away, with primaries wrapping up across the country before the midterms.
Republicans are trying to hang onto power that would allow the Trump-Vance team to continue working their agenda.
Vance’s old Senate seat is on the line, with former Lt. Governor Jon Husted hoping to get two more years to finish the term. He’s being challenged by long-time Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who is trying to get back to Capitol Hill.
Ohio’s governorship is also up for grabs.
Issues still need to be addressed, like high gas prices, the war with Iran, Russia’s war on Ukraine and the news that the U.S. national debt just crossed the $40 trillion mark for the first time, doubling since 2017, when President Trump first took office.
Road Closures
Along with Vance’s return to Middletown, drivers in East Walnut Hills should expect road closures and increased security, starting Friday morning.
Roads around his Cincinnati home will be closed through Sunday, including portions of William Howard Taft Road, Collins Avenue, Taft Road Lane and Heatherhill Lane.
Westbound Riverside Drive is also shut down, between LeBlond Recreation Center and Collins Avenue, because of ongoing construction.
Drivers are encouraged to use Torrence Parkway, Madison Road, and Woodburn Avenue while the closures are in place.