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PETE VANBAALEN: Honk if you love Honda
If there was still any doubt in your mind that we are living in a global economy, then last month proved it completely.
The big story of a possible Honda plant coming to Southeast Indiana made national headlines. Even our defining sporting event in Indiana, the Indianapolis 500 is now run exclusively on Honda engines.
The world’s economy is descending on us and, as it does, it will affect us all. I was speaking to someone in Greensburg about the possible Honda plant a day or so after the leaked announcement. They were convinced that having the plant come into the community would have no bearing on them.
Granted, they may not need one of the jobs Honda will bring since they were retired. But, every one of us living and working in the area will see benefit, if we are fortunate enough to land this big fish. Bringing in new jobs brings in new residents and increases everyone’s property value. More people mean more secondary businesses coming to the area as well, which improves the quality of life. Also, this means more people to share the burden so property taxes will stay the same or, dare I say it, go down. I’m sure I’m over simplifying the situation but the benefits are wide in scope and will help everyone throughout the region.
Honda, or Toyota for that matter, use to be a dirty word in Indiana. I grew up in a GM town, and personally know of the bias faced by people who drove Japanese cars. It was taboo to have a car in the driveway that wasn’t Ford, GM or Chrysler. Right or wrong, that is how much of the Hoosier state looked at things.
As the Detroit based auto manufacturers started to fade, so did the economic outlook for the state of Indiana. Our state has been left behind in economic growth, in many ways because of our lack of willingness to embrace a global economy.
Slowly, over the past few years, that has started to change. Hopefully, Southeastern Indiana will get its slice of that economic pie and we can land up to 1,500 jobs from Honda.
So far, I’ve been impressed with the efforts to get this done, and remain hopeful that we have a solid chance of breaking ground soon. Local, regional and statewide efforts have worked well together and those involved, regardless of the outcome, should be complimented for their work thus far.
Honda is now the power behind the 33 cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and, with a little bit of luck, Honda will be the power behind an economic boom for Southeastern Indiana.
Vanbaalen is the regional publisher for CNHI covering Greensburg, Rushville and Batesville. He can be reached at (812) 663-3111 ext. 7001.
To comment on or view reaction to this or other local stories please visit www.greensburgdailynews.com.
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Sayonara Greensburg, Konnichiwa Japan
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Honda site taking shape
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Honda’s goal: Innovation
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