By Marilyn Odendahl, Truth Staff
modendahl@etruth.com
WAKARUSA -- A green technology company run by a Penn High School graduate plans to bring manufacturers of components for electric vehicles -- and many jobs -- to Nappanee and Wakarusa.
Gov. Mitch Daniels and local officials will make an announcement at 9:30 this morning in Wakarusa about Electric Motors Corp., which develops and manufactures electric power drive systems for electric vehicles under the EMC brand as well as other brands of cars and light-duty trucks. Details of the plan will be discussed during the press conference at the former DeMartin RV dealership at 905 Nelson Parkway.
The California-based company was attracted to Elkhart County because of the number of workers available and the skills that many of those recreational vehicle workers have can be used in the new facilities, Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson said. Also, the chief executive officer of Electric Motors is Penn High School graduate Wil Cashen.
At a work session Wednesday night in Wakarusa, Cashen described Electric Motors' role as the "conductor" for an "orchestra" of companies that would each produce a different part of the company's vehicles, from the chassis to the motor and drivetrain.
"Right now," Cashen said, "area RV companies depend on motors made by the big auto industries. Our plan is to have those engines made right here."
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. would not specify the number or types of positions this new venture will create but spokeswoman Blair West called the amount "significant." Thompson noted the jobs will not be coming immediately.
"This is going to take some time to tool up and get going," he said. "The real jobs could be a year out."
In a press release dated May 5, Electric Motors stated its mission is "to become the first independent company to mass-produce cost-competitive power-train systems for hybrid and electric vehicles and therefrom design, produce and sell company branded truck and car models internationally with superior performance and design advantage."
Outside of attracting new manufacturers, Cashen also wants to establish teaching and training facilities for prospective employees here.
"I'm not going to hire in a high-school graduate with no training to handle this 800-watt electrical equipment," he said. "We want to put in place the right teaching and training facilities, so people know what they are working with (and how to use it)."
Many of the manufacturing facilities would be located in a campus area located off the corner of Nelson Parkway and S.R. 19 in Wakarusa, Cashen said.
Thompson declined to specify where manufacturers will set up shop in Nappanee.
The two communities have worked together along with other state and local entities to bring Electric Motors and its partners here. Meetings, phone calls and trips have filled the past three months but, Thompson said, the result has been worth the effort.
"I knew this would be good for Wakarusa," said Tom Roeder, Wakarusa town manager, "and I thought it would be really good for Nappanee as well."
Often characterizing the recession that has crippled the RV industry, taken many jobs and hurt many families in Nappanee as an economic tornado, Thompson described the Electric Motor announcement as the sun at the end of the storm.
"For me, it means there is hope and opportunity coming," he said. "This is better than we could ever believe."