Timetable for possible Chrysler-Getrag pushed back

A new timetable has been established in the possible Chrysler-Getrag transmission plant that could bring 1,200 jobs to the region.

An announcement is now expected April 2, said Bill Keir, executive director for the Tipton County Economic Development Corp.

An announcement was previously expected in January. The news that it was pushed back was met at Thursday's board meeting with questions of whether the company actually intended to come to Indiana.

"The German partner is very anxious on starting a U.S. factory right here in our region and quite possibly our county," Keir responded.

Keir coined the small scope of the company's search as unusual, saying the field has been narrowed to Kokomo and Tipton.

He also noted the scale of Honda's quest for a location for a new plant. The company looked at numerous choices in several states before it decided on Greensburg, Ind.

However, he noted, there have been no negotiations with the company.

What he does know is that the original estimates for the cost of building in Tipton County have gone up and the revenue the county would receive has gone down.

"That's not a good thing," Keir said. "It's something we have to look at."

Keir declined to give the actual estimates, saying those would change by the expected time of the announcement.

He would, however, say the estimated costs rose after all items sought were included. He added that all costs would be subject to change until negotiations are under way.