Yes, locally, emotions were high about the announcement of Honda choosing Decatur County as its new home and the prospect that brings. However, for one Bloomington family, Honda is and always has been more than just a brand name.

While relaxing in their Bloomington home, Joe and Paula Bourne watched the Honda announcement on T.V. After the broadcast, relaxation turned into celebration.

“My husband and I are taking vacation and we watched Honda’s announcement on the news. Then we decided to drive up and share the excitement with Greensburg,” Paula Bourne said with delight. “We are just nuts about Honda!”

The couple, who both work at Indiana University, made a trip to Greensburg part of their break. They didn’t make it in time for the reception, but decided to hang out in Greensburg. While at Storie’s, they began sharing their attachment to Honda with patrons of the restaurant. Word spread quickly and it became clear the couple had a story which was both timely and emotional, given the day’s announcement.

For good reason, the Bourne family has great faith in Honda products because they have played a life changing role for the family of four - literally.

A few years ago, the Bourne’s were returning home from a night out. The dark night made the winding Bloomington roads hard to see. Around one of the bends was a huge deer that jumped out in front of their traveling Honda Civic. After hitting the deer, the Honda and everyone inside slide down a 100-foot embankment, hitting trees and bushes along the way.

“It was a huge relief to look around and see our daughters were not hurt,” Paula gratefully said.

That morning, the family went on vacation and was told to not worry about anything. Upon return, the family was shocked to see how badly the car was damaged.

“Seeing that car sitting in a junkyard, completely destroyed, knowing we walked away from it turned us into true Honda believers,” Paula said. “Everything except for where we were sitting was badly damaged.”

Since then, the family has owned four Hondas and one Acura, also made by Honda.

“When our daughters went off to college, we gave them a Honda and the Acura. My husband and I were then confident they would be safe while driving,” said Paula.

Not only are the Bournes happy with their cars, but they are enthused about the Japanese people making Indiana their new home for Honda.

“We have been in Bloomington and Southern Indiana for most of our lives. Indiana is more than corn and big businesses. Indiana is all about Hoosier Hospitality,” Joe proudly said. “I think that was the main reason Honda choose Indiana.”

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