Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recent visit to Springfield put a spotlight on the city’s looming economic challenges, brought sharply into focus by the approaching expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many of the city’s Haitian residents. On Friday, DeWine met with community leaders and aired his concerns about the potential loss of the Haitian workforce that has been instrumental in Springfield’s economic resurgence.
According to ABC6, Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson pointed to the immediacy of the issue, mentioning a local company that had to suddenly lay off 84 employees. “We spoke to this one company who had to layoff 84 people overnight,” Wilson said. Governor DeWine expressed his optimism about the future despite these setbacks and pledged to continue to work closely with Springfield to support the community.
In a press conference, Governor DeWine noted the contributions of Haitian workers to Springfield’s revival. “Springfield has come back a long ways, and part of what’s the reason Springfield has come back is frankly because the Haitians have been in here working,” DeWine shared, as reported by WBNS. He also highlighted the uncertainty businesses faced, including an auto parts company that, hampered by the TPS ruling, has now to reconsider their expansion plans…