Sign-ing on with Honda

Jordan Fischer

June 30, 2006 08:42 am

—
It’s a sign of the times. Well, they all are.
Following Wednesday’s announcement that American Honda Motor Corporation had chosen Greensburg as the site for their new manufacturing plant, many local businesses showed their enthusiasm and support for the automaker by displaying welcoming signs, banners and words across the walls and windows of their stores.
Though the signs may all have said different things, the message was the same: Greensburg is happy Honda will be calling it home.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Rita Mitchell, of Unique Gifts. The store is one of many downtown businesses showing its Honda spirit. “I’m glad Honda’s coming here to help our economy, give some jobs to us and make the town grow.”
Mitchell says the news of Honda’s choice was music to her ears.
“I was ecstatic, I really was,” she said. “I think they chose wisely to bring it here.”
Nearby businesses Crafts and Occasions and MainSource Bank also displayed welcoming signs.
“We’re very happy Honda is coming to town,” said Cheryl Menefee from Crafts and Occasions.
MainSource’s Kevin Koehne shared her sentiments.
“We put the sign up because MainSource Bank believes this is a great opportunity for the whole surrounding area, not just Decatur County,” Koehne said. “We welcome Honda.”
Lincoln Realty was one of several businesses on its namesake street to post Honda welcoming messages on its banner.
“I think it’s important that, as business people, we support anything that helps our community go forward,” said Larry Moore, of the real estate firm. “I think this is as big a positive step as this community has seen in my lifetime.”
Moore explained why he feels Honda is such a “positive step.”
“Good things attract other good things. Delta Faucet attracted a lot of business, and I think Honda is going to do the same,” he said.
The Greensburg Community Learning Center was the hub of this week’s activity and administrators there didn’t miss the chance to send Honda an electronic message on the digital sign outside.
“I stopped by the Center around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday just to see how everything looked after the Honda crews set up,” said Jim Cummings, director of the GCLC. “It just occurred to me how many people would soon be there and how much the Honda executives would like to see an inviting message. It was a small gesture but it was noticed by everyone. We couldn’t be happier about Honda coming and just wanted to let them know that.”
To comment on or view reaction to this or other local stories please visit www.greensburgdailynews.com.

Photos