Bright Automotive waits announcement of federal loan awards

aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com

ANDERSON - Although Anderson start-up electric vehicle company Bright Automotive did not apply for the federal stimulus grants announced by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, Bright CEO John Waters and Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon were happy to make the trip to Elkhart to hear the announcement in person.

"We were invited to the factory where the president was going to speak," Ockomon said. "We weren't really sure why in particular we were invited. We thought there might be an announcement for Bright."

The two, joined by Ivy Tech Community College President Tom Snyder, were invited by the White House to a VIP session with the president attended by about 300 people. Ockomon said he was encouraged by Sen. Evan Bayh, who said Bright and Anderson were on the national radar, during the session.

"I don't think anybody can challenge the president now after what he's done for the automotive industry," Ockomon said.

Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson said Bright had applied for a $450 million low-interest guaranteed loan from the federal government. Loan recipients have not been announced yet.

"It's a very positive statement that the mayor and John Waters were invited," Dawson said. "That says that Anderson and Bright Automotive are definitely on the White House's radar, and we feel that's going to lead to good things."

Dawson said without the loan, it would be difficult for Bright to secure the funding to mass produce its newly developed energy-efficient utility van. The company unveiled the van in Washington, D.C., in April.

"In today's economy, the financing of a project is difficult, and when it is a new technology project, it becomes almost impossible to finance," Dawson said.

Even if Bright secures the funding to mass produce the van, its links to Anderson are not set in stone. The city still is courting the business to remain in the area and "prepared to engage Bright with a very competitive incentive package," Dawson said.

Although they didn't hear the good news they were expecting about Bright, Anderson city employees gathered in the mayor's office to watch Obama's speech Wednesday, in which he outlined $2.4 billion in government grants to stimulate the manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries and components.

The employees nodded in agreement when Obama mentioned Anderson's values, such as cities and towns being the backbone of America.

Those gathered let out an "exactly" when Obama said, "I don't want to have to import a hybrid car; I want to build a hybrid car here."

Ockomon was encouraged that the president's speech so closely matched what Anderson and Bright want to accomplish.

"He basically was saying our tagline for the city," Ockomon said. "We think that fits (Bright's) model, and we still think (Bright's loans) will be announced."