By Brian Sanders, The Republic Reporter

Community and economic leaders in Jackson, Jennings and Shelby counties agree that the areas will mostly benefit from the recently announced Honda plant in Greensburg.

“I’m very excited about it,” said North Vernon Mayor John Hall. “I think it’s absolutely fantastic for southeastern Indiana.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of people. It’s definitely going to affect all of us.”

“This is great news,” said Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. “This project probably will be the largest or one of the largest announcements in the U.S.”

“It could be one of the most exciting things to ever happen to us in Shelbyville,” said Scott Furgeson, mayor of Shelbyville.

Hall guessed the plant would supply jobs for southern Indiana workers within a 40-mile radius.

The mayor pointed at Princeton’s Toyota plant, which opened in 1996.

About 15 percent of Toyota’s employees commute from Kentucky or Illinois, he said.

Plump believes it will take a few years to determine the plant’s impact on Jackson County’s work force.

Some Jackson County workers and those who commute to Jackson from Bartholomew County are bound to seek jobs at the new Honda plant.

However, Plump said the Greensburg plant’s effect on Jackson County is unpredictable.

“These are going to be great jobs,” said Hall.

Furgeson’s only concern is that Honda’s high wages will lure trained employees from Shelbyville industries.

“Hopefully, that’s a minimal problem and we can overcome that,” he said of possible work force migration.


Ripple effect

Hall believes the Honda plant could lead to several spin-off industries in southern Indiana.

Greensburg’s Honda plant is good news for Jackson County companies that cater to the automaker with parts, said Plump.

“Certainly, this announcement can do nothing but improve those companies’ profitability,” said Plump.

Honda’s supply network in Ohio could expand to meet demand from the new Greensburg plant.

Expansions, which will create more jobs, will likely occur in Ohio or southern Indiana.

“This can do nothing but help the entire region,” said Plump.

The announcement could attract other large companies to southern Indiana.

“If Honda selected this area there must be something good going on in the area,” said Plump.

Furgeson believes his city of 18,000 people is conveniently located between Indianapolis and Greensburg.

The mayor believes Shelbyville will attract prospective Honda employees, adding to already increasing home construction in Shelby County.

One thousand lots are set aside for new homes.

“We’ve always been on the edge of growing,” said Furgeson.
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