Wilmington, Ohio, “hasn’t taken any money from the government”, so says Glenn Beck. In fact, Wilmington has received millions in federal aid.
Beck, plans to save Wilmington and is holding a $500 a head fundraiser in the single local theater, that last year received $300,000 in aid to repair the heating system.
Wilmington, population 13,000, lost 8,600 jobs when DHL pulled out of the area a few years back, so it is unlikely the residents will be able to afford the show. Not to worry, a live feed will be setup at the local soup kitchen for the regular folks.
We quickly found Beck’s story full of holes.
* The city of Wilmington itself has received federal assistance, including money from the federal stimulus bill that Beck often rails against.
* Government and social service agencies that serve residents of Wilmington and surrounding Clinton and Clark counties have received state and federal money.
* Development agencies and companies in Wilmington have received state aid or pledges of state aid.
* Unemployed residents of the town and county are receiving unemployment and other jobless benefits.
Immediately after DHL announced the closing of its Wilmington air hub, elected officials at the city, state and federal levels began seeking help for DHL workers. The federal government awarded a $3.87 million national emergency grant to Ohio in November 2008 specifically to provide job training and other aid to DHL workers in Wilmington and the surrounding area. It was administered through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The area has since received a second national emergency grant worth $4.1 million.
Beck was slapped down by Fareed Zakaria for telling his radio audience there are 150 million Muslim terrorists in the world.
