A recent announcement from a Gary, Ind., congressman that he wouldn’t seek re-election next year could result in a huge benefit to the Mahoning Valley.

That Democratic congressman, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, heads the powerful House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee. It’s the largest appropriations subcommittee, with a $622 billion budget.

Visclosky’s retirement means U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland — should he win re-election next year to his 10th two-year term — is poised to become defense’s vice chairman or possibly its chairman.

Of course, the Democrats also would have to retain control of the House.

“It could be huge for the area,” Ryan said. “It has huge implications for the area.”

Whether Ryan becomes chairman depends on U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-St. Paul, Minn.

McCollum is next in line in terms of seniority on the committee to head it. But McCollum is chairwoman of the Appropriations’ Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Members of Congress cannot head two appropriations subcommittees.

Interior’s budget is about $37 billion, but Ryan said it’s possible McCollum will keep that position because, “Interior has a lot of interests in Minnesota — the (Environmental Protection Agency), national parks, water issues that are important to that state. She may not take (defense). If not, I’m next in line.”

If she takes the spot, Ryan would be the committee’s vice chairman.

The move from No. 3 on the committee to No. 2 or possibly the top spot would help several companies, agencies and military installations in Ryan’s district. He listed Arconic in Weathersfield; M7 Technologies, America Makes — National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute — and the Youngstown Business Incubator, all in Youngstown; the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna; and Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ravenna, as well as research money for local universities including Youngstown State. YARS is the largest employer in Trumbull County.

“The benefits would be tremendous,” Ryan said. “We’d look to grow companies and attract new ones. It’s like hitting the lottery. It’s not just for the area, but for the whole state. The committee has such a big footprint. A lot of emerging technology comes from the Department of Defense like the internet. Our region, between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Akron and Youngstown, becomes a hub for artificial intelligence, machine learning and cutting-edge technology.”

Ryan said he remains hopeful that $300 million for four next-generation C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the House defense spending bill make it way to YARS. The Senate has to approve the bill, and it is up to the Air Force where the planes go.

But the bill was crafted, with Ryan’s help, to give preference to bases with specialty missions. YARS is one of three bases in the country with specialty units, Ryan said.

“We’re super well-positioned to get the planes,” Ryan said. “The Air Force, they’re not stupid. I’m vice chair or chair. They know who they’re talking to: the person who funds their budgets.”

The Appropriations Committee has lost some of its luster in recent years after the elimination of earmarks, but it’s still one of the most influential committees in Congress.

With three top-ranking Democratic members retiring at the end of the year, Ryan would move from the 11th most senior Democrat to No. 8 on the committee, should he be re-elected.

He currently serves as chairman of the committee’s Legislative Branch Subcommittee with a budget of about $5 billion — a drop in the bucket compared to defense.

That committee controls funding of the legislative branch including the House of Representatives, Congressional Budget Office, Library of Congress, Government Accountability Office and the Capitol Police.

There are currently three announced Republicans seeking to challenge Ryan next year in Congress. They are Duane Hennen of Warren, Robert Santos of Austintown and Lou Lyras of Campbell.