DAYTON — The Ohio Department of Development says General Motors Corp. has declined a tax credit and grant package worth more than $56 million to keep open its SUV plant in the Dayton suburb of Moraine.

Department spokeswoman Kelly Schlissberg said Thursday the state is disappointed and will continue to look for alternate uses for the plant, which employs about 2,400 workers.

The automaker has said it plans to close the plant by 2010 or sooner because of a customer shift to smaller vehicles.

The proposed assistance announced Wednesday during the GM Regional Response Task Force consisted of a $54 million job retention tax credit and a $2 million "rapid outreach" grant.

The task force was formed in response to GM's June announcement that its Moraine plant will cease production by 2010. The group is working simultaneously to persuade leaders of GM to give the plant a new product, prepare employees for eventual closure and secure redevelopment for the plant site.