ANDERSON — Chuck Staley believes Anderson has done everything right.
As president and CEO of the Flagship Enterprise Center, Staley brought Bright Automotive to Anderson after a chance encounter with Bright President and CEO John Watters in Washington, D.C. He lured the automotive upstart to the Flagship industrial park, helping to nurture the company for 14 months before the debut of its plug-in hybrid, the “Idea.”
It would be a shame to let the project get away, Staley said, now that Bright wants to produce 50,000 vehicles a year by the end of 2012.
“We need the support and collaboration of our federal, state, county and city to make this happen,” Staley said. “At stake are 3,000 to 5,000 great jobs. Bright and the companies that will be needed to support them comprise one of the best opportunities I have seen to rebuild our community.”
The comments came in response to an Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) policy that gives other states a shot at Indiana’s homegrown talent. The IEDC requires that Bright solicit incentives from other states before making an offer.
Staley has already reserved space at the Flagship for support industries related to Bright. The Flagship area has already been fortified with access roads, a rail spur and other amenities offered to attract the Nestlé bottling plant, which will soon become the company’s largest such facility in North America.
Meanwhile, Bright waits on word of its application for an Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program from the Department of Energy.
“If (Bright is) successful in getting this DOE grant, if they have the money to build and develop production of this vehicle, at that point I think the competition from other states could intensify,” Staley said, noting that Anderson is within an eight-hour drive of two-thirds of the American market. “I think the reality is Bright wants to be here.”
Bright officials declined comment as the company prepares to show off the Idea for international eyes at EVS24, the largest gathering of electric vehicle makers and suppliers, May 13-16 in Stavanger, Norway. Don Marshall, Bright representative, said his understanding is that the event is attended by academic, government and industry professionals interested in electric drive technology. Toyota, A123 Systems and Indianapolis-based Enerdel are also expected to attend the EVS24 conference.
“This is the first reveal of the vehicle on the international stage and an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to the engineering services provided by Bright,” Marshall said, adding that Bright still plans to produce the Idea in the United States.
It seems Michigan is throwing its hat into the electric-car ring, funneling incentives to General Motors Corp. and Johnson Controls plants that produce lithium-ion batteries. Watters helped develop battery systems for GM’s first electric car, the EV1, and also the Segway transporter.
President Barack Obama has announced his administration will purchase 17,600 advanced technology vehicles, including 2,500 hybrids, with $285 million in stimulus funds. The Idea, which resembles a minivan, is aimed at the commercial fleet and government transportation markets.
Exactly when funding will come down, however, remains unclear.
“Bright is still working closely with the Department of Energy on loans through the Advanced Technology Vehicle Loan Program,” Marshall said. “We haven’t been given any definitive word on when decisions will be made.”
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