Project is larger than reported
Governor confirms plant is Honda
Wanda Englsh Burnett, Editor

“I can confirm that Honda is the company that the IEDC and I have been working with for the last few months,” noted Governor Mitch Daniels in a release to the media Tuesday, May 16. With the statement, the governor cleared up the mystery that has had people talking since early April when the announcement was made that a “major household name” type of industry was looking at the area to locate. This would be a Honda car assembly plant creating thousands of jobs.

Reports from a number of media sources have people in Ripley and Decatur counties wondering if Honda Motor Co. will indeed be making its home in southeastern Indiana. As this was being written, officials were in meetings deciding on what to release to the media next.

Governor Daniels provided a short statement saying, “The state is hopeful of being selected for this investment. As reflected throughout our recent work together, Honda is one of the world’s most impressive and respected companies, and Indiana will do all it can to compete successfully to be its next home."

In April a number of landowners in Ripley and Decatur counties were contacted by an Indianapolis firm representing Honda, telling them they were interested in obtaining their property. It was reported that landowners would receive 75 percent above appraised value for their property.

It was also noted that time was of the essence to ensure the company’s place locally. Landowners were told the company planned to move swiftly and hoped to have a location chosen by July 1, and to break ground by late fall.

The economic impact of an industry the size that Honda promises is being discussed as well. Mayors from both Greensburg and Batesville, and county officials in Ripley County are all interested in what Honda can do for the local economy.

An initial report that the company could create up to 750 “well-paying” jobs has changed. Speculation has Honda bringing 1500 or more jobs that could pay $24 per hour. Governor Daniels confirmed, “it is significantly larger than earlier news reports indicated.”

While some television reports noted that Honda would make a decision on the exact location on Wednesday, May 17, Murry Clark, an attorney for the Indianapolis firm handling the land acquisition, noted that it would probably be confirmed later this week, possibly by Friday. The Morris area in Ripley County has been confirmed as one possible site, with the others in Decatur County, one near New Point, the others along I-74.

The possibility of the Honda plant coming to Ripley County doesn’t excite everyone. Landowner Mark Prickel noted it didn’t affect his decision not to sell his land one bit. It doesn’t matter what company is wanting his land - he doesn’t want to sell.