The jobs announcement in Elwood last week is good news for Madison County. Warner Bodies — which makes truck bodies — will relocate its manufacturing facility to Elwood from Noblesville, which means a $3 million investment and 150 new jobs.
It goes without saying that Elwood officials were giddy when they made the announcement. “This is a big deal,” said Mayor Ron Arnold. Warner Bodies President Rick Manasek was complimentary about his new host. “We like the town environment here,” he said, calling Elwood “one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets.”
It’s Elwood biggest economic development deal since 1987, when Elsa came in.
The new manufacturer will occupy the old Plastech factory, which will need some work, but Manasek said his operation will be up and running a year from now. Plastech went bankrupt in 2008 and suffered a fire last year that damaged the roof. Manasek said the current Warner Bodies plant and equipment are dated, and the new facility will allow the company a competitive edge.
This shows that northern Madison County is also a viable location for manufacturers. Most of the economic development news in recent years has come along Interstate 69, to which Pendleton and now Anderson have been staking claims via annexation. As important as the interstate corridor is, the whole county should be pitched as a prime industrial location. Elwood is about 12 miles from I-69, due east on Indiana 28. Plus, Indiana 37, where Warner Bodies will be located, is a direct route to I-69 where the two merge on the north end of the Indianapolis metro area. Elwood, small and seemingly isolated, is served by a great highway system. Also near Elwood is the new wind farm.
Manasek said he liked the skilled, ready-to-work labor force available in Elwood from the John H. Hinds Career Center. It would be nice to keep those students in Madison County instead of sending them elsewhere for jobs.
Elwood, like most small towns, has struggled in recent years, watching populations decline and property values go down. But those things can be turned around given time and job creators believing in communities, as Manasek does.
Madison County still needs jobs more than anything else. Warner Bodies’ announcement is a good shot in the arm for county workers.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Economic Development Director Bill Savage claims one of five souvenir pens used to sign documents following the announcement that Warner Bodies will be moving their production from Noblesville to the former Plastech facility in Elwood. This was the largest jobs announcement for Elwood in 25 years. Don Knight
Discussion
Editorial: Jobs coming to Elwood is good for the county
- Opinion
-
-
Editorial: Little 500 illustrates the power of Anderson
The Little 500 can’t rival the Indy 500 in scope and international appeal. But it aptly illustrates the power of a small community to do great things.
-
Editorial: ‘Paddle protest’ floats good ideas
Last Saturday’s protest on White River was a smart, inoffensive way to show ecological concerns over the proposed Mounds Lake Reservoir project.
-
Editorial: Battery production a positive sign
The production locally of a battery powering a vehicle that has been dubbed the “bus of tomorrow” signals to others that Anderson is still a viable player in the auto industry. Having Altair Nanotechnologies located here is a good sign for Anderson’s future.
-
Editorial: Cleveland crimes could happen anywhere
Neighbors are in the best position to see something amiss so that grotesque crimes, such as those revealed in Cleveland, won’t take away a decade of life from someone else.
-
Letter: Merchant Marine vets deserve honors
Only a few thousand World War II Merchant Marine veterans remain alive today — they should be honored.
-
Letter: Legislators mistrust live dealers
What is the “real” reason that Republican legislators are against Hoosier Park creating 600 jobs by putting in live dealers? Here’s what I think.
-
Letter: Gun supporters’ campaign thriving
The “Guns for Nuts” club is thriving in Washington and Indianapolis.
-
Editorial: AU softball team did university, community proud
During the Anderson University softball team's run to the final eight in the NCAA Division III tournament, the Ravens played quality softball with high-quality individuals, and they did it while brandishing the Anderson name. Whenever the city is associated with high-quality and successful people, it’s always a positive accomplishment.
-
Letter: Major flaws found in reservoir proposal
After a lot of research, I found several major flaws in the reservoir proposal.
-
Letter: Obama should follow Constitution
Congress, or I should say the Democrats, have been trying to take away some of our guns by legislation, thus trying to do away with the Second Amendment.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
