GE Hitachi holds rally to sway upcoming vote

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County’s GE Hitachi plant held a rally today to try and get the attention of lawmakers.

GEH officials say they’re hoping that Rep. David Rouzer and Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis vote to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States. This expires June 30.

Officials say this bank helps companies overseas buy nuclear reactors from American corporations, which brings in a lot of money and creates jobs.

“Not reauthorizing Ex-Im could have a serious detrimental impact on our business, all of our suppliers and really everyone in the Cape Fear area,” GE Hitachi spokesman Christopher White said. “You know, our 3,000 employees buy houses here, they buy cars here, they eat in all of the restaurants here. Without that support it could have a really detrimental impact on our business and the community.”

Last week the US Senate held a mock vote on this subject, and the reauthorization passed with 65 votes. The House will also need to hold a vote before the end of this month.