President Trump Trying To Save Chesco's Lockheed Martin Plant

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — President Trump met with Lockheed Martin officials this week as a significant piece of the local economy threatens to shut down.

Lockheed recently announced its Sikorsky helicopter plant, located in Coatesville, would be closing, taking around 465 jobs with it.

On Friday, President Trump said he spoke with Marillyn Hewson, the CEO of Lockheed Martin, and asked her to reconsider the closure.

"She will be taking it under advisement and will be making a decision soon," President Trump said on Twitter Friday. "While Pennsylvania is booming, I don't want there to be even a little glitch in Coatesville — every job counts."

Sikorsky, which was sold to Lockheed in 2015, makes the helicopters used by the White House. The company builds both civilian and military choppers.

Pennsylvania's economy has continued to grow, with the employment rate at its lowest since 1976. Despite that, preliminary 2020 polls indicate Democratic hopeful Joe Biden holds a lead on Trump in the Keystone State, which was pivotal in Trump's 2016 victory.

Leaders in Chester County, including Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan of the 6th District, thanked Trump for intervening.

"While we may not agree on everything, I’m grateful the President has joined my & local leaders’ fight for #PA06 & the workers in Coatesville," Houlahan wrote on Twitter. "I told Marillyn Hewson, CEO at Lockheed Martin, yesterday that they need to reconsider this decision & keep the Coatesville plant open."

Chester County officials, meanwhile, are working on a contingency plan for both the hundreds of employees who could be out of a job and the 22-acre plant that could soon be abandoned.

Officials said taxes for the Coatesville Area School District and local businesses in Sadsbury Township would be increased.

Commissioners met with local economic development experts and business owners to put together a Task Force that will address the impacts of the closure. Details of exactly what the county can do are unclear, as planning is still in the early stages, and the government is working with Sikorsky on a timeline for their potential closure.

A follow-up meeting between local leaders and Sikorsky is set for July 1, at which point more information on the timing of the closure, support for the newly unemployed, and the company's plans for the properties should become available.