By Paul Minnis, The Republic Reporter
Incentives worth about $50 million helped convince Cummins Inc. to choose Columbus for its new light-duty engine plant.
Mark Land, Cummins' director of public relations, said the incentives included city tax incentives and state money for work force training and expanded curricula at educational institutions.
"It was the education commitment that really set Indiana apart from the rest," he said. "That piece will help everyone in the state."
The state promised to spend about $2 million per year for 10 years for institutions to expand their curricula to develop advanced manufacturing skills.
That will help Cummins, but also all other companies that benefit from the more skilled work force.
"It means educational opportunities for the whole district," Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong said.
Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered up to $191,500 in training grants, up to $4.6 million in tax credits based on commitments for job creation and about $1 million in infrastructure assistance.
Local and state leaders are investing in programs that will ensure a pipeline of skilled workers for companies across the region.
Indiana Department of Workforce Development will offer up to $2 million from Strategic Skills Initiative State Action Team to grow awareness and interest in advanced manufacturing careers across the state.
Start-up money
Included in this amount will be about $50,000 necessary to cover the start-up costs for the "Dream It. Do It." campaign to be rolled out in DWD's Region 9 as a pilot and precursor to a broader statewide effort.
DWD will offer other services and assistance in recruiting, assessing and selecting employees.
It will offer up to $1.5 million in southeastern Indiana SSI advanced manufacturing competitive grants to focus on training for high-wage, high-demand occupations supporting the company and other regional manufacturers.
Armstrong said the city will give Cummins a tax break that will save it about $17 million over 20 years through tax abatements and other measures.