Getrag files site plan for transmission manufacturing plant in Tipton County

A site plan for a 700,000-square-foot facility for a transmission manufacturing plant has been filed with the Tipton County Plan Commission at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Ind. 28.

The site plan was filed by the Tipton County Economic Development Foundation and Getrag Corporate Group, a German manufacturing company that is expected to produce dual clutch transmissions for DaimlerChrysler.

The submitted plan covers approximately 228 acres.

The site plan includes three buildings and two access roads off of Ind. 28. The production facility would be an estimated 490,000 square feet; and include a 33,750 square foot technology; and a 175,000 square foot building that could be used for shipping and receiving.

On the west side of the building is a parking lot for 580 vehicles and a smaller parking lot on the east side near the possible loading dock area. There are no water or sewage utilities identified on the site plan which will be served by Duke Energy and Tipton Municipal Utilities.

The site plan was developed by Harley Ellis and Devereau of Southfield, Mich.

Glen Boise, director of the Kokomo/ Howard County Plan Commission, said no site plan has been submitted for the Kokomo location.

Boise said that fact is likely an indication of where the plant will be located.

"Someone has done a lot of engineering work to get to that point," Boise said.

Jim Carter, director of the Tipton Plan Commission, said Monday he will review the site plan and return it to company officials with any comments on the proposed plan.

The revised plan has to be returned to Carter before the Plan Commission is scheduled to vote on April 19.

Carter said site work can start on the property at any time, but county and state building permits have to be obtained before construction can begin. He said the property has to be owned by the Economic Development Foundation or Getrag before the actual construction work can start.

The Tipton County site, along with a site in Kokomo, have been considered the front-runners for a $560 million plant that is expected to employ 1,200 people. Sites in Miami, Tippecanoe and Clinton counties were considered for the location but have been eliminated from the final selection.

"I have not heard," Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip said Monday when asked if a decision on the location has been made. "Both sites are in different stages of progression."

The Kokomo site has the necessary zoning and infrastructure in place, he said.

"Kokomo has the best site," McKillip said. "Timing is critical and we have everything in place.

"The most important thing is that our workers in Howard County get the good paying jobs," he said. "Either site is a win for our workers. We have been working on regional economic development, our workers will have access to good jobs."

Jason Hester, director of the Kokomo Economic Development Department, said until an official announcement is made of a site, the city will continue to pursue the opportunity to attract the new transmission plant.