Even though Honda’s new North American plant is not locating here in Jennings County, North Vernon Mayor John G. Hall is thrilled just the same.
“It’s great for southeastern Indiana,” noted Mayor Hall. “This is going to be huge.”
Wednesday morning, the Japanese automotive giant announced it would build its sixth North American plant on approximately 1600 acres just outside of Greensburg. The plant will produce 200,000 cars annually and is expected to open in 2008.
Hall and other city officials believe that not only will some local residents obtain jobs at Honda, but that vendors to the Japanese corporation will begin to locate in the general area.
And that means opportunity for Jennings County to attract more industry and jobs.
EDC Director Kathy Ertel has already done research on subsidiary companies that tend to follow Honda. “It’s better to be pro-active than to sit and wait,” she believes. “We didn’t want to get behind the eight ball.”
City officials can even claim they had a tiny part in Decatur County’s successful quest to land the plant. They sent a letter of support last month for Greensburg Mayor Frank Manus to include with other materials to the auto giant.
Hall says that the Economic Development Commission has already been contacted by some industries which he believes have ties to Honda. There are also several local companies—including NAC, which employs about 300—already doing business with Honda which are sure to expand, too.
Wednesday’s announcement puts new pressure on the North Vernon Redevelopment Commission to get 350 N paved. The gravel road leads directly to the city’s new industrial area. The work has been tied up due to a legal challenge on easements.
Hall remains hopeful the bids will be let this year so the work can proceed. “These companies are coming now. They want to build yesterday.”
The city is in a particularly good position to attract new industry, says the mayor. “We’re hitting the right button,” he says, with the new Education Training Center set to open Aug. 1. The center will not only offer classes to local employees but will offer skills assessment and employment counseling for those seeking to upgrade their skills or to apply for a new job.
One of the big questions in people’s minds now will be how does one get a job at the new plant, where wages could go as high as $24 an hour.
To Hall, the answer is to “make sure you’re qualified for that job. Get back to school and brush up on your computer and math skills.”
The automotive giant, Hall says, “is a high tech industry. If you don’t have the computer skills, the high school degree, it’ll be tough to get on there.”
As for the immediate future, the mayor is enthusiastic. “It’s going to be real exciting. We’re doing the right thing. We’re marching down the right road.”