President Biden’s administration has been criticized for not following through on a project initiated under former President Trump to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) in the U.S.
A plant in Virginia, intended to produce medical gloves and the rubber needed for them, was built with federal funding but is now being mothballed due to lack of action from the Biden administration.
The plant was part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign PPE imports. (Trending: Melania Trump Announces Big Change For 2024)
Despite completion, the factory has been shut down, and the company responsible for it is facing financial challenges to continue the project.
The Biden administration has not shown interest in production with this company, instead supporting a new plant in Louisiana with a different company.
The situation has raised concerns about the loss of jobs and the impact on the local community.
“Just wasted money… . This was all built, ready to go. And because we didn’t start, now we have to take it all apart. … We just want to finish what we started,” Blue Star chief executive Scott Maier said.
“It would be a shame not to finish,” Blue Star’s chief financial officer Victor Galati said.
“It’s a vital product that we need, and we’re putting our country at risk, not having something so important.”
“How a company could act in good faith and build this plant and not have follow-through from those that initiated it, it truly makes my brain hurt,” Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County’s David Manley said.
“You can’t leave a car unattended in a garage for a couple years and then expect it to start up right away,” Maier said.
“There’s kind of preventative maintenance you need to do if you want it to run.”
“This is devastating news for both Blue Star and the surrounding communities of Wythe County and the greater Southwest Virginia region,” Virginia Economic Development Partnership president Jason El Koubi said.
“Without the federal funding, Blue Star does not have a path forward.”
Most Popular:
Trump Releases Must-See Christmas Message
Famous Actor Under Investigation After Calling For Biden’s Execution
Founding Dixie Chick Member Dies Unexpectedly
