By Lexie V. Owen
Chrysler is investing billions of dollars into its transmission and metal casting plants in the central Indiana area. Kokomo and Chrysler have had a longstanding relationship that has been beneficial to the community for decades said Jody Tinson, a spokesperson for Chrysler.
According to the Detroit Free Press, workers at the Kokomo plant had feared that Chrysler was going to close all of the plants in the area, but this insurgence of support is a great boost to morale in the auto working industry.
"That's the only place we build transmissions," Tinson said. "In order to meet the fuel economy mandated by the government, we have to invest in order to build more fuel efficient cars."
Three hundred and seventy-four million dollars was invested in plants in Kokomo and Tipton for equipment and upgrades alone, according to Tinson.
"We have the largest transmission facility in the world: the most technologically advanced, state of the art, and energy efficient," said Mike Karikhoff, the State Representative in District 30. "They make more transmissions there than anywhere else in the world."
In addition to funding equipment for upgraded transmissions, Chrysler will fund renovations of a new facility and over 1,000 jobs.
About 850 jobs will be located in Tipton and about 400 jobs in Kokomo, totaling about 1,250 new jobs. Altogether, Chrysler has invested $1.6 million in their Kokomo and Tipton transmission plants.
"There's a skilled workforce, a long relationship between the local government and the corporation, and there was a facility that was all built and ready to go," said Karickhoff. "The kind of impact will be felt throughout central Indiana. Many people will commute to work in those factories."
Karickhoff said renovations are planned to begin during the summer and hiring by the end of the year. A work force of 1,250 is projected by 2015.
"Obviously it will lower unemployment rates, stabilize tax structure, and supply small businesses," Karickhoff said. "Anytime you have manufacturing jobs that exports out of the community it helps the economy of the community."Jerry Price, Vice President of UAW Local 685, claims the Kokomo community may have collapsed without Chrysler's bailout loan in 2009.
When large corporations like Chrysler end up in bankruptcy, towns like Kokomo worry for their economy and employment, he said. Since they've been in recovery, Kokomo has seen a decline in employment rates.
"We got down to about 3,000," Price said. "Now we're back to around 4,000 and we're still hiring. If it wasn't for the bailout this community would have been dire straits."
According to Price, the Chrysler work force is one of the most giving and caring work forces he's seen.
"Chrysler employees are the most giving people," Price said. "Our people are the biggest donors to the United Way. When Urban outreach needed help, they spent a work day there to pay and clean up. They're very active in the community."
With this new project, Chrysler has made a generous investment that will not only benefit its business, but also benefit the central Indiana communities it cares for, said Karickhoff.To learn more about the plant or to find out how to apply for a job, go to Chrysler Careers.
