Economic-development officials and auto-industry representatives are out to leverage the state’s leading position in the industry and do even more vehicle manufacturing in Indiana by making it more competitive.
A strategic plan was published Tuesday by the Indiana Automotive Council and Conexus Indiana, the state’s advanced-manufacturing and logistics initiative. An announcement unveiling the plan said Indiana already is the nation’s second-largest vehicle manufacturing state.
“Indiana has long enjoyed an enviable position as a global automotive manufacturing leader, and we know that we are building on that strong foundation by collaborating with industry, higher education and state and local government to pursue strategic initiatives,” Matt Conrad, director of the council, said in a prepared statement.
Indiana Economic Development Corp. officials and auto industry managers, including some from northeast Indiana, contributed to the development of the plan to improve the industry’s innovation, work-force capabilities and supply chain.
“The automotive industry is an important employer and economic driver in Noble County and northeast Indiana and I am pleased I was able to provide insight and guidance as a member of the Indiana Automotive Council for this statewide plan,” Nick Busche, president and chief executive officer of Busche Enterprise Division, said in the statement.
“We have excellent opportunities to continue to grow our automotive industrial base and this plan will help us put in place the additive programs and policies to ensure we reach our fullest potential.”
The announcement said more than 600 companies connected with vehicle manufacturing in the state have an output of nearly $9 billion and employ more than 120,000 residents.