Greensburg Daily News, Greensburg, IN

Honda Central

June 28, 2006

Officials ecstatic over Honda announcement

It’s official - Greensburg is the home of Honda Motor Company’s newest North American facility and those who fill the elected seats at the courthouse and City Hall could not be happier.

“I think it’s great for the community. I’m tickled pink. In fact, I’m wearing a pink shirt,” Greensburg Mayor Frank Manus joked with excitement in his voice. “Quite frankly, the impact of what has happened really hasn’t hit me yet. It’s so gigantic.”

Word of Honda’s big announcement spread like a wild fire Tuesday and by the time the hands on the clock tower reached the evening hours, television news crews and reporters from major media were scouring the courthouse lawn looking for any official word.

Elected officials were tight-lipped for the most part, apprehensive of spoiling this morning’s sudden press conference. Regardless, they alluded to the epic effect senior vice president of parts and procurement for Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. Larry Jutte’s words would have.

“It’s a big thing,” Decatur County Commissioner Jerome Buening said.

Officials were thinking big because procuring Honda, a global leader in the auto industry, means more than just being a home to a huge $550-million operation.

“I’m very, very excited. It’s going to have a big impact on the whole county and I mean everybody,” Commissioner Charles Buell stated.

His fellow Commissioner, John Richards, added to far-sweeping effects this announcement will have for the county as well as the state.

“It’s one of the things that will save Decatur County,” Richards said. “I feel them coming in is going to impact this part of the state. We’ll be drawing people from the surrounding counties. It’s not only Honda, but other businesses that will be effected.”

For the Commissioners and the Mayor alike, the announcement is a huge sign of relief and a triumphant end to months of hard work.

“We worked so hard to get different companies to come to town and we land something like this, it’s beyond words,” Manus said. “I feel good about the fact they did pick Greensburg. The best part for the community itself, Greensburg and Decatur County, is it’s going to mean great impact.”

Richards said he and other county officials have been working tirelessly to meet the demands and convince Honda reps to bring their business to Decatur County.

“Since they first mentioned it months ago, we have worked to make it happen. Now, it’s a like a big weight has been lifted of you,” Richards said.

Now that the word is out and the glimmering dream has become reality, government officials will work to make Honda’s transition to the county smooth and swift. However, Manus said people can take the time to appreciate where they live.

“I think we have a town we can all be proud of and Honda thinks so too,” Manus said.

To comment on or view reaction to this or other local stories please visit www.greensburgdailynews.com.

Text Only
Officials ecstatic over Honda announcement
by Adam Huening , , Wed Jun 28, 2006, 07:47 AM EDT
Honda Central
  • images_sizedimage_094181515 Honda named "Greenest Automaker" by Union of Concerned Scientists Honda has earned the title of America’s “2007 Greenest Automaker” from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) for the fourth consecutive time.

    April 4, 2007 1 Photo

  • Honda gets 5,000 applicants for 18 jobs When Honda officials said they were delighted by the response the company’s call for applicants returned, they may have been understating things a bit.

    March 12, 2007

  • Honda jobs hot on the Web That theory was borne out recently as Honda received a multitude of online applications for the first-ever positions at the Greensburg facility.

    March 12, 2007

  • Honda ceremoniously breaks ground on 19th In what promises to be the first of several momentous occasions, Honda announced it will be hosting a limited ground breaking ceremony on March 19.

    March 12, 2007

  • images_sizedimage_050171704 Honda begins limited hiring for non-production positions Honda announced it will begin hiring for a limited number of positions for the new $550 million auto plant it is constructing near Greensburg.

    Honda will run a series of employment advertisements beginning this week in the Greensburg Daily News.

    February 20, 2007 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_041090515 JIM CUMMINGS: Sometimes no news is good news It’s been easy to get caught up in Honda hysteria lately with all of the happenings in Decatur County. There’s a buzz around this area which hasn’t been felt in some time.

    February 20, 2007 1 Photo

  • Konichiwa Greensburg: An update from Vicki Kellerman Greetings from Narita, Japan! After a long but very comfortable flight, we arrived at Narita Airport almost on time, about 6:30 p.m. Narita time and 5:30 a.m. Greensburg time.

    October 17, 2006

  • images_sizedimage_287103056 Sayonara Greensburg, Konnichiwa Japan While most local residents were just getting up, if they slept in, and sipping their first cup of coffee, a group of 23 people from Southeastern Indiana were boarding a plane to Japan.

    October 14, 2006 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_283083812 Honda site taking shape The employees may have been whistling while they worked but probably can’t hear it over the loud hum of heavy machinery at the Honda site.

    October 10, 2006 1 Photo

  • Honda’s goal: Innovation “There were many reasons why Honda selected Indiana for our new plant – transportation, infrastructure, land and other business decisions,” Shane McCoy, a 17-year Honda employee who will be responsible for support services at the Greensburg factory, told 320 attendees of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner Sept. 14.

    September 19, 2006

AP Video
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.