Kokomo out of EnerDel sweepstakes

ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

Kokomo and Howard County are no longer being considered for an EnerDel manufacturing plant, which would have created 800 jobs.

Earlier this month, EnerDel won a $118.5 million grant to produce lithium-ion cells and packs for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The Indianapolis-based company announced last year it was looking to construct a new manufacturing plant in Indiana.

"We're not included," Jeb Conrad, executive director of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, said Thursday. "We have been aware of that for some time."

The Greenfield Daily Reporter reported Wednesday that Hancock, Madison and Hamilton counties have already submitted proposals.

The Hancock County Council was asked to consider providing $28 million in incentives for EnerDel to local in the Axcess 70 industrial park near Mount Comfort Airport.

The Reporter said the company would invest $184 million and create 800 jobs paying an average of $19.75 per hour.

Rob Sparks, director of the Anderson Corp. for Economic Development, declined to comment on the published report, according to the Herald Bulletin in Anderson.

"They were looking at a couple of interstate corridors," Conrad said. "We made a pitch to them."

Conrad said Kokomo has not been ruled out for other potential investment.

When EnerDel was formed in 2004, Delphi Corp. owned 19.5 percent of the company. That interest has since been sold, but a relationship still exists. As recently as last year, talks were still continuing between EnerDel and Kokomo over the possibility of utilizing some of Delphi's excess manufacturing space.

"They wanted to be close to where they are already located," Conrad said. "I knew early on we wouldn't be on the list."

Conrad said EnerDel is looking to create a campus-like atmosphere containing three buildings - one for research and development, one for manufacturing and one for shipping.

EnerDel has been looking at a site in Noblesville from the beginning, according to Conrad. He said the state was looking to keep them in the Indianapolis region.

"We pitched Kokomo and Howard County several times," he said.

EnerDel is reportedly looking for a 300,000-square-foot building.

There are three "spec" buildings in Hancock County, ranging from 250,000- to 810,000-square-feet.

Conrad said EnerDel has been working with the Energy Systems Network, of which Delphi is a member.

"I would be shocked if it didn't locate in Hamilton County," he said.