By Kirk Johannesen, The Republic
johannesen@therepublic.com

 

Greensburg Mayor Frank Manus welcomed Honda Motor Co. with arms Monday, and asked the auto company to become a part of the city.
   By embracing Honda, which is building a $550 million plant northwest of the city, Greensburg is embracing the company's values.
   One is diversity. Honda states on its Honda in Indiana Web site:
   "Honda believes people - in all their diversity - strengthen the competitiveness of our companies and make it possible for us to deliver world-class products."
   Honda has stated it is seeking employees from diverse backgrounds. In the fall, applications for about 2,000 production jobs will be accepted.
   Jeffrey Smith, assistant vice president of America Honda Motor Co., said that when Honda chose to build a plant in Indiana it sought the help of the Indianapolis Urban League, because of its ties to the national organization.
   "For a number of years, Honda has enjoyed a unique relationship with the Urban League, partnering on programs of economic empowerment, nationally and in many of the cities where we have major operations," Smith said.
   Joseph Slash, president of the Indianapolis Urban League, said the organization was excited to work with Honda to develop new economic opportunities for Hoosiers, and empower change in their lives.
   Slash said that since Honda reached out for assistance, the Indianapolis Urban League would help Honda meet its objectives.
   "We have already joined hands and broken new ground," Slash said. "Working together, we're going to build great products and great relationships with the state of Indiana and Honda."
   Ground also is being broken in Greensburg to build new houses to accommodate people who will move to the city because of their jobs at Honda. Some of those who move to Greensburg figure to be minorities.
   According to 2000 census data, 97.6 percent of Greensburg's population was white.
   Of the city's 10,260 citizens, 143 (1.4 percent) were Asian, 64 (0.6 percent) were Hispanic or Latino and eight (0.1 percent) were black.
   Those figures could change with Honda's presence. Manus believes minorities will find Greensburg a quiet community and a welcome place to call home.
   "I think the people in Greensburg are willing to accept whoever. We have different types of people in town," Manus said.
   "That might be a challenge for some people, but Greensburg is a town that the people are warm-hearted."
   Manus said Honda's presence could present new opportunities for minorities.
   He talked to one who has operated heavy machinery for 35 years. Until the Honda project came to Greensburg he's always commuted to other cities because that was where the work was.
   Manus said right now there are some minorities in Greensburg that are qualified to work for Honda.
   Manus wants all people who come to Greensburg because of Honda to enjoy the community and the new opportunity.
   "We want people to be happy when they come to Greensburg," Manus said.
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