President Trump landed back in Lima on Sunday evening. He ventured down I-75 to Pratt Industries, where people lined the streets, gathered in front of the Armstrong Air and Space Museum and even on top of a bowling alley just to get a glimpse of his motorcade.
"It’s a very special occasion today," Trump said to a crowd at Pratt Paper. "We celebrate the extraordinary economic partnership between our nation and we proudly declare that Pratt industries and this great, great state of Ohio is open for business."
The arrival of Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison signified the beginning of jobs an investment into Wapakoneta.
Trump, Morrison and Australian businessman Anthony Pratt took a brief tour of the new recycled paper facility. They got demonstrations of the work to be done as well as spoke to several employees. Pratt said he built this for one reason.
"It’s because of your economic policies that I made a pledge to you in 2017 to invest billions of dollars to create thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs, mainly in the Midwest," Pratt said. "This paper mill’s the largest pledged and built by anyone since your election as president."
During a short speech at Pratt, Trump said Pratt is a victory for America. The company hopes to create 5000 new jobs in the next decade across the world. Trump added one in four employees are veterans at Pratt paper.
Businesses in the area such as the Lima Tank Plant and FlexArm have struggled to find capable manufacturing workers. State Congressman Jim Jordan was asked if Pratt has had similar issues while getting up and running.
"It’s a good problem, still a problem," said Jordan, a representative for Ohio's fourth district. "The wages are going up because of that fact and because of the economy’s growing. So it’s a great situation in that we’re seeing this tremendous growth in our economy and opportunities for families to find the kind employment, where they can support their family and chase down their goals and dreams."
Pratt is already well underway with the second phase of their Wapakoneta investment. A corrugated box factory is being built in addition to the paper mill and can be seen right of County Road 25A.
