By John Seewer
Associated Press
TOLEDO, OHIO: A new defense spending plan will keep the nation’s only tank manufacturing plant working for at least the next couple of years.
Fighting on Capitol Hill over funding had put the northern Ohio factory’s future in doubt.
About 800 workers in Lima refurbish the Abrams tanks with new weapons and sophisticated systems.
President Barack Obama last week signed off on a defense bill that includes $136 million for tank upgrades that only will maintain minimal production at the plant through 2014.
The Pentagon had wanted to halt production for a few years because it said it will soon have enough tanks.
Some members of Congress from Ohio had fought to restore funding for the tanks against White House opposition.
