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Indiana General
Assembly House of Representatives
News Release |
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Rep Jackie Walorski
Indiana House of Republican
Caucus
401-8 Statehouse
Indianapolis, In 46204
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE |
Contact: Stephanie Sample
House Communications Division
(317) 232-9831 or (800)
382-9841
e-mail:
ssample@iga.in.gov
Thursday May 14th,
2009 |
Announcement Turning Point
for Elkhart County RV Industry
(STATEHOUSE)—Electric Motor Corp.’s plans to partner with Gulf
Stream Coach and manufacture light-duty electric pickup trucks
is the most important economic development announcement the
Elkhart area has seen in these difficult times, says Rep. Jackie
Walorski (R-Jimtown).
Today in
Wakarusa, Gov. Mitch Daniels formally announced the partnership
at a press conference.
The companies plan to invest
more than $80 million on building renovations, machinery and
equipment to site manufacturing facilities in Wakarusa and
Nappanee, possibly creating more than 1,600 jobs by 2012.
The new,
light-duty electric pickup trucks use electric power drive
technology that is clean, efficient, reliable and can be
retrofitted for current vehicle models as well as future
advanced technology electric plug-in and hybrid models.
“We’ve all been working incredibly hard to
bring jobs back to Elkhart County,” Rep. Walorski said. “We have
a skilled workforce with an unmatched work ethic, and EMC is
exactly the company that can turn our RV industry around.”
With the support of the
Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County and the
Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the partner companies
are seeking funding through the U.S. Department of Energy's
Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.
The IEDC offered EMC up to
$4.6 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000
in training grants based on the company's job creation plans.
Gulf Stream Coach was offered $9.7 million in performance-based
tax credits and up to $260,000 in training grants based on its
job creation plans. Additionally the IEDC will provide Nappanee
officials with a $75,000 grant to assist with fiber-optic
infrastructure improvements for the proposed facility. The Town
of Wakarusa and the City of Nappanee will consider additional
tax phase-in for the project.
“I’ve been working with investors and
Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson for the past four months to make
today’s announcement a reality for our communities.
“The sun is shining on Elkhart County, and
this is the first step toward refurbishing our hard-hit RV
industry.”
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