Remy, as a part of General Motors and later on its own, has always had a foothold in Anderson, and it looks as if the company will continue to play a major economic role in Madison County.
Last week, Remy announced it would build a new HVH250 motor for hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles. The new product line will be funded by a $60.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and, best of all, will be produced locally.
Remy CEO John Weber said the company is looking at existing buildings in the area, which, as he noted, are plentiful. Remy used to rent out five buildings in the area for its various products. But when the company transferred production to Europe and Mexico in 2003, other tenants moved into those buildings, such as Mancor. Remy kept some production in Patriot Park near the Flagship technology park. An expansion of that production and the jobs involved would be quite a boost to Anderson.
As Linda Dawson, Anderson’s economic development director, noted, the city is on its way to becoming a central location for alternative energy vehicles. Bright Automotive, located in the Flagship, is also pioneering electric vans and is awaiting a federal grant to get into production.
When General Motors left Anderson, everyone seemed convinced that auto manufacturing was gone for good. There were some diehards who thought GM would always come back, but only a few envisioned an alternative vehicle industry. Those entrepreneurs are now about to make their plans a reality and give a kick start to a new auto industry in the area.
It makes sense because many of the engineering minds at GM merely shifted gears from the old combustion engine to newer modes of power.
Whether or not Anderson emerges on the cutting edge of alternative fuel vehicles, it seems certain that the city will be a player in the field. Anderson will have come full circle in auto manufacturing, and that would be a great thing for workers who are still struggling to find their way in a changing economy.
It will take awhile for Remy to get production going. Meanwhile the city will be helping the company locate a suitable manufacturing plant and doing everything it can to make sure that Remy does, indeed, keep its manufacturing in town.
In a city hit hard by GM’s exodus, it seems ironic that it could have a rebirth of the vehicle industry. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Editorials
Editorial: Remy takes Anderson back to the future
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Editorial: New 911 consolidation is good for county
When it comes to emergencies, a fast and proper response is sometimes the difference between life and death. Therefore it is important for 911 services to be coordinated for the best response time. It’s even better if those services are consolidated with one location fielding calls from multiple areas.
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Editorial: On Valentine’s Day, indulge in selfishness of volunteering
In the final analysis, we’re all selfish beings. Everything we do, at its core, is motivated by what is good for us.
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You Said It: About roundabouts, Mayor Smith’s firings, recycling, State of City address
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments. (Article published Feb. 4.)
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Editorial: Firings show inability to turn foes into friends
Politics is a double-edged sword.
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Editorial: Help celebrate city's strong black history
Many times we overlook the small achievements of residents long gone who made a better Anderson for those of us alive today. There is no better time to recognize and cherish those stories than during Black History Month.
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Editorial: Madison County needs vision for future tourism
Slot machines, gospel music, a beautiful state park and candy are all thriving as destination sites. Now is the time to explore a way to connect these valuable attractions and encourage new ideas.
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Editorial: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
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Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
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Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
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You Said It: About contract, 'Teen Mom,' State of the City
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com, coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
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Editorial: New 911 consolidation is good for county
