The Honda Effect

Adam Huening

June 27, 2006 08:02 am

— Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of three articles the Daily news will run exploring how each possible Honda location feels it stands with regard to landing the auto manufacturer.

It’s no secret, the county chosen to be the new home of Honda will gain the economic equivalent of the largest Powerball jackpot ever. Whether in Ohio or in Decatur County, the economic windfall, the worthy area will experience, will be immense.
What’s interesting are the reasons why the global Japanese automaker turned its far-reaching glance toward Decatur County.
“In my opinion, we offer three major things - location, transportation and workforce,” Vicki Kellerman, director of the local Economic Development Corporation said.
Kellerman also cited the unique quality of life county residents enjoy as an attractive feature.
As far as Honda goes, however, Greensburg Mayor Frank Manus feels there is nothing they may want, the city and county cannot give them.
“Our location is outstanding,” Manus said. “We have everything to offer that Honda is looking for.”
A Realtor would probably say the most important part of any search for a place to reside is three words - location, location, location. Since Honda began its search months ago as a secret company, they have turned up numerous sites around the county. While none have been ruled out, the recent announcement of a special meeting of the Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals and Area Plan Commission has local officials and other media zeroing in on a specific site.
The plot of land is a 1,656.34-acre area just north of Greensburg along U.S. Highway 421 near the I-74 interchange.
“Indiana is known as the ‘Crossroads of the Nation.’ The site is strategically located on I-74 between Indianapolis and Cincinnati,” Kellerman said. “It is a very reasonable drive to Honda's other facilities.”
This piece of farmland is more than just an empty space north of town. According to David Neuman, Decatur County Area Plan Director, the spot is “perfect.”
“Its good because of the way it lays, where it lays next to the interstate and along the rail lines and is right next to state roads. There’s also plenty of utility lines out there,” Neuman said. “That’s exactly what you look for when you’re looking at an area for development. That site is really the best site. Although I haven’t seen the Ohio sites, I can’t imagine them being any better.”
Access to major roadways is one of the keys being tossed around by Honda representatives. The site itself is nestled next to I-74, which gives it both high visibility and easy accessibility to major metropolises to the north and south. Most major roadways in the Midwest can also be accessed from one of those metropolitan areas. Also, just down the road is the State Road 3/46 Bypass, which offers access to Richmond; Columbus and I-65 to Louisville. The rail lines are also key to operations with Neuman estimating about 80 percent of the cars being carried out by the rail system that runs through the county.
Officials not only feel the area is right for Honda’s needs, it is practically shovel ready.
“It’s ready to go basically. We need a few minor things as far as infrastructure,” Neuman said. “It’s ready now to move on once they make their announcement. Really it’s a perfect fit.”
While Neuman noted some small tweaks need to be made to the site, such as water lines and possibly moving rail lines, the problems are very minor at best. He also noted the site’s close proximity to both the city of Greensburg and the county reservoir. If rail lines do need moved, it can be done concurrently with the construction of the plant.
Manus noted he and other officials in the city and county have been “getting their ducks in a row” for a while and will have no qualms with any request from the Japanese car maker.
“We can accommodate them when they come to town and we can meet their demands as they progress,” Manus stated.
While the actual site may be perfect in officials’ minds, it is not the only thing they say Decatur County has to offer. Once a plant is built, Honda will need workers.
“We have workers who are skilled in their area. They have experience working in the industry,” Kellerman noted. “They are also known for their good work ethic; people who work hard and have the ability to learn new skills.”
According to state census statistics for 2005, the county boasts 25,184 people. Of that number, 12,759 are of working age. In addition, the county already brings in another 3,751 employees from surrounding counties. Many of those workers are already employed or have been employed in factories. Manus feels many of those workers would be more than willing to put their backs into helping Honda succeed.
“They can get a lot of skilled labor here. We have lots of people who have worked in factories in the past and would be willing to be part of something like Honda,” Manus noted.
Kellerman also added the unemployment rate is higher in surrounding counties to augment to the moderate rate for Decatur County. This all adds up to one thing.
“The available labor pool is there,” Kellerman stated.
While the workers and the site make Decatur County seem like a forerunner, Kellerman noted it is the life area residents live that make this the best place for Honda.
“When you look at the quality of the community and the quality of life we enjoy, it’s just hard to beat us,” she said.
Manus said he couldn’t think of a better place for families to find a home.
“I think Greensburg is a good place to raise a family. It has everything young people need - schools, church. Everything on the family side is a good fit for people,” Manus said.
Decatur County is proud of it’s farmland heritage but it also has a growing metropolitan feel according to Kellerman. The city has grown and boasts a movie theater, three golf courses and a brand new and highly-regarded sports youth facility. It also offers the Greensburg Community Learning Center where adults and high school students alike can take classes for college credit or earn degrees endorsed by Purdue University, IU, Ivy Tech and other colleges. In addition, the center offers successful English as a Second Language courses for families that may relocate from Japan and need to brush up on their conversational English. Currently, 10 Japanese-speaking students are enrolled in the program. They are family members of executives from factories like GECOM which already supplies parts to Honda as does STI locally.
Families may also find the convenience of being located between two large centers of commerce a plus. Indianapolis and Cincinnati are two of larger cities in the country and offer big city shopping, professional sports teams, major museums, quality zoos and a number of highly-rated universities.
Manus noted there were many amenities locally and nearby to accommodate any extracurricular activities, but it is the community’s overall welcoming nature that really makes Decatur County special.
Recently, many people in the community rallied on the courthouse lawn below the world-famous Tower Tree to make a living Honda logo as a sign of good faith. The local Chamber of Commerce also received more than 350 letters of encouragement, which they used to create a welcoming package to send to the Honda executives in Tokyo.
Whether looking at the ideal plant site, the skilled workforce or the inviting, quaint living provided by the county, many officials feel Honda would have a good home here.
“We have a great community and lots of cities around us are rooting for us,” Manus said. “It’s the best place to raise a family and a great place to do business.”
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