ELYRIA, OH – Mayor Whitfield and his administration met with Bendix Executives today to introduce the City’s new leadership team and to make their pitch for Bendix to keep their headquarters in Elyria. The much-anticipated meeting concluded the City’s #BendixWeek push, which showcased community-wide support for the safety technology manufacturer to stay in
town.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems founded its headquarters in Elyria in 1941, and is the City’s second largest employee. In 2019 they announced moving to Avon by the end of 2021, which would take an estimated $1.5 million annually in tax revenue with it.
“Our goal today was to provide Bendix with an opportunity to lead the reimagining of our community in a unique way, while addressing their needs around access, visibility, talent/retention, and amenities.” said Mayor Frank Whitfield. “Bendix made it clear that last year’s announcement had been based on opportunities made available to them four years ago. Our hope was to provide a new opportunity and a new partnership with Elyria that could change their minds. We want our City to know that we are going to approach all opportunities for economic and workplace development with an ‘all-in’ approach. We are going to fight to keep good
businesses here, and we are going to do all we can to attract new business as well. That includes transforming Elyria’s reputation into one which embraces the innovation, development and talent capacity that we know exists right here in our great City. We are not intimidated by our challenges – we’re inspired by them.”
The push to keep Bendix in Elyria was visible throughout the City this week as community members, organizations, and other businesses supported #BendixWeek with themed specials and promotions, building signage and letters of support. Those efforts have been shared through WElyria.org and its companion Facebook page.
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