Peter Schnitzler, The IBJ

pschnitzler@ibj.com

German transmission maker Getrag Corporate Group and Chrysler Group said today the transmission plant they are building in a joint venture near Tipton will employ 1,400 when it comes online in 2009. That's 200 more positions than had been discussed for months by local officials.

Some of the positions will be filled by idled Chrysler workers, although a statement issued by Indiana Economic Development Corp. didn't disclose how many. Chrysler employs 5,900 in the state.

Gov. Mitch Daniels was on hand for today's announcement.

The new $530 million facility, which will occupy 804,000 square feet, will produce 700,000 transmissions annually. Site work has been underway for weeks on 145 acres at U.S. 31 and State Road 28 north of Carmel.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Getrag up to $8.75 million in performance-based tax credits and as much as $500,000 in training grants. The state also offered up to $3.4 million in infrastructure assistance for improvements to State Road 28 and East Road.

The plant is the biggest economic development project in the state since Honda Motor Co. announced a year ago that it would build a $550 million car assembly plant at Greensburg.

The transmissions to be produced at the plant use a dual-clutch that's designed to conserve fuel.
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved.