Obama taps Youngstown mayor for auto community group
7/6/2011FLINT, Mich. — The mayor of Youngstown, Ohio, is the new head of a government office that helps communities hurt by cutbacks in the auto industry.
Mayor Jay Williams starts as head the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers on Aug. 8. He will step down as mayor Aug. 1 and will work in the Labor Department.
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says although the auto industry has made a comeback, many communities still need federal help including money to retrain workers.
She announced the appointment Wednesday in hard-hit Flint, Michigan.
President Obama set up the office in 2009 when General Motors and Chrysler were headed into bankruptcy protection.
Williams says he looks forward to building on progress already made in strengthening the middle class and bringing opportunities to auto communities.