Congressman Tim Ryan and Ten Local Mayors Urge Trump to Place New FBI Building in Northeast Ohio

This letter comes in response to recent news that the Trump Administration is seeking nearly $2 billion in the latest COVID stabilization bill to fill a funding shortfall for the renovation of the dilapidated FBI building in Washington, DC – which was originally slated to be moved to the DC suburbs. 

This letter comes in response to recent news that the Trump Administration is seeking nearly $2 billion in the latest COVID stabilization bill to fill a funding shortfall for the renovation of the dilapidated FBI building in Washington, DC – which was originally slated to be moved to the DC suburbs. 

The letter highlights that payroll these approximately 8,000 FBI jobs bring with them would go much further in Northeast Ohio than they currently do in the nation’s capital. The total project cost of approximately $3 billion would mean as many as 25,000 design, engineering and construction jobs for the Northeast Ohio region. Northeast Ohio is home to over 8 million people. 

“We are fully committed to helping to aid in the job growth of the region. The potential investment and influx of thousands of jobs would have an astronomical impact for not only the region, but for the state of Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania. In a time of great income inequality and many American communities being left behind by globalization and automation, this is an opportunity for your Administration to show its commitment to those areas that are still struggling,” wrote Ryan and Northeast Ohio mayors. “We urge you and your staff to consider Northeast Ohio for the location of the next FBI Headquarters Building.”

Full letter can be read here and below: 

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

We write regarding the recent news that your administration is seeking nearly $2 billion in the latest COVID stabilization bill to fill a funding shortfall for the renovation of the dilapidated Federal Bureau of Investigation building in Washington, DC. We want to urge your consideration of an alternative idea. Rather than spending billions to repair a building that was originally slated to be moved to the DC suburbs, we urge moving the location--and the many jobs associated with it—to Northeast Ohio. 

The payroll these approximately 8,000 FBI jobs bring with them would go much further in Northeast Ohio than they currently do in the Washington, DC region, and moving the building to the Midwest would show your commitment to creating opportunity in a region that desperately needs the economic stimulus that such a move would bring. Furthermore, a total project cost of approximately $3 billion would mean as many as 25,000 design, engineering and construction jobs for the Northeast Ohio region.

The Northeast Ohio region is home to over 8 million people. Many of these individuals and families live within an hour commute of a major metropolitan area, including Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh. This region is within 600 miles of 60% of the entire U.S. population as well as 70% of all U.S. and Canadian manufacturing. Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania have easy access to highways and four major airports. The region has an extensive web of renowned colleges and universities that would could provide talent that would be critical to the success of the FBI’s mission. With strong support from state and local governments and economic development organizations, Northeast Ohio would be an ideal location for a new FBI headquarters.

We are fully committed to helping to aid in the job growth of the region. The potential investment and influx of thousands of jobs would have an astronomical impact for not only the region but for the State of Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania. In a time of great income inequality and many American communities being left behind by globalization and automation, this is an opportunity for your Administration to show its commitment to those areas that are still struggling.

We urge you and your staff to consider Northeast Ohio for the location of the next FBI Headquarters Building.

Sincerely,