The joy was unanimous as local leaders reacted to Honda’s move to build a $550 million plant in Greensburg that will employ 2,000 people.

Batesville Mayor Rick Fledderman, who attended the news conference in Greensburg, reports, “The Batesville area will benefit from this. We just have to make sure we’re ready to do some things. We’re going to have to step up our economic development initiatives. I think we’ve been really focused on that already, but we need to be more focused.”

Donald “Butch” Williams, Franklin County Council president, notes, “This could have a good effect” on that county. “There is the looming possibility of jobs lost from the Connersville Visteon plant. Greensburg is close enough to make it possible for those people to have access to new jobs. The hope that I have is that companies that are needed to support this plant will pop up and maybe could be persuaded to locate in Franklin County. These would be smaller companies, but we will take what we can find.”

He adds, “We didn't get a chance at the big fish, but the big fish has to eat. Maybe we can provide a little nourishment for the big fish and at the same time help out our county's revenue. I have seen what the Toyota plant did for Georgetown, Ky. Let’s make it work for us. Congratulations to our neighbors in Greensburg.”

Donald Dunbar, Ripley County Council president, says, “It can’t do nothing but help Decatur, Ripley and all surrounding counties. It’s hard to visualize something that big around here. It’s hard for me to speculate, but it has to be good. I’m really happy that it went through. Southern Indiana does need something, that’s for sure. Maybe this will be the start of something bigger.” According to Jody Fledderman, Batesville Tool and Die, president, “We’re excited about it. Honda is our largest customer.” Honda and BTD have had a relationship since 1985, when Honda selected the Batesville company and nine other stamping suppliers in the United States.

Fledderman observes, “I think our potential for growth will be really good because of our location,” he explains, “When Honda looks at the cost, they look at the cost delivered to the plant,” taking into account shipping expenses. “We’re going to have an advantage over our suppliers.”

The president predicts, “There will be other suppliers move to area, perhaps to supply steel or paint parts. In addition to aiding Honda, those firms could help lower BTD costs as well.”

Is Fledderman worried about BTD employees defecting? “Sure,” he answers, “That’s going to make the labor market more competitive. There’s nothing we can do about that. I think there are way more positives for us and the community than negatives.”

He points out Honda will attract workers with new skills to the area and they could be potential employees for BTD, too.

Fledderman reports Honda “has been a good customer of ours for a long time. They’ve helped make us a better company because they’re very demanding.”

Indiana Manufacturers Association President Pat Kiely, Indianapolis, believes his organization and state leaders paved the way for Honda’s commitment to locate in Decatur County. “This is another example of the positive changes that have been made to Indiana’s business climate. Changes the IMA has fought for include the elimination of the inventory tax, improvements to Indiana’s corporate tax structure and investments in Indiana’s workforce – all designed to encourage investment in Indiana. Another key to ... (the) announcement is the highest level of priority Governor Daniels has placed on economic development. He had reorganized the state’s economic development efforts under the direct control of his office and been intimately involved in all aspects of business and investment attraction.”

According to Lydia Woodward, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, “With Honda employing 2,000 associates, many of them will choose to live in Batesville. Others will shop here, golf here and eat here. Additionally, other suppliers may opt to locate their businesses here. Honda’s decision to locate in Decatur County will affect the entire area.”

All four real estate companies reached by The Herald-Tribune have had queries related to Honda’s news.

Amy Buckley, Countryside Realty, Batesville, broker/owner, reports, “I’ve been very excited to hear the news and very excited they did pick Indiana. I hope it will be good for our market. I feel that in the big picture it’s very good for our state .... I hope to get new residents into Batesville.” She adds, “We actually did have one call this morning right after the news about a property we had listed in Greensburg, but it was an investor. We have had nibbles on our Web site from Japan.”

Christy Gunter Swingle, Hoosier Homestead, Batesville, broker/owner, believes, “It’s definitely going to be great for new construction and all the builders in the area. Of Batesville’s distance from the proposed plant west of Greensburg, she notes, “Nobody is going to mind driving 15 minutes to work.”