Cleveland City Council Delays Vote on Contract with Chinese LED Fixture Maker

It’s reported that Cleveland, Ohio's mayor, Frank Jackson, announced to delay vote on LED fixture contract with Sunpu-Opto Semiconductor Ltd.

Sunpu-Opto Semiconductor Ltd., a chinese LED fixture maker, is said to be a Cleveland's exclusive supplier of LED streetlights, traffic lights, and fluorescent tube replacements for nearly $10 million. In exchange the company agreed to relocate its North American headquarters to Cleveland, bringing 350 jobs. The City Council had to vote on the deal before the plan was approved. The Cleveland city council voted to delay the vote.

Many of members of the city council expressed concerns that the contract would not be given to a U.S.-based company. At the city council meeting, some competitors noted that the lighting contract does not include competitive bidding, which is illegal under the current city charter.