The Versailles Republican Headline News

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PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING MARCH 24, 2016 11:30 A.M.

Honda adding 100 jobs

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) announced plans Tuesday to invest $52 million in its Greensburg facility to enhance job training and add production of the Honda CR-V. The company will create up to 100 new jobs by the end of 2016 to support the new line. Gov. Mike Pence was at the plant Tuesday when the announcement was made, and said it was “a vote of confidence in the people of Indiana and the business climate.”

HMIN will invest approximately $40 million to enhance the manufacturing flexibility and production capabilities of its existing 1.3 million-square-foot plant. This will be to add production of the Honda CR-V in early 2017, while maintaining production of the Honda Civic Sedan. The CR-V model was Honda’s second-highest selling model in the United States in 2015. Also, HMIN will invest $12.37 million toward its new 20,000-square-foot Associate Resource Center (ARC), which is a career development facility designed to promote the enhancement of HMIN associate manufacturing skills. HMIN will offer more than 1,000 self-guided, e-learning classes that range from Honda-specific training to universal skills training. “This new investment in our Indiana facility will enhance our manufacturing flexibility and better position Honda to meet customer demand for our lineup of fuel-efficient passenger cars and light trucks,” said Bob Nelson, president of HMIN. “Our associates are our foundation and this new training facility will provide them with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills.”

HMIN, which began production of the Civic in 2008, is the Japanese automaker’s fourth auto plant in the United States. Since 2006, HMIN has invested more than $900 million in Indiana and now employs more than 2,300 Hoosier associates. Average salaries of new positions will be higher than the state’s average wage. Interested applicants can learn more by visiting the job opportunities link at www.indiana.honda.com.

“Today, I want to congratulate Honda’s outstanding recent achievements,” said Dan Manus, Mayor of Greensburg. “I also look forward to Greensburg and Decatur County governments and our local economic development corporation continuing to assist Honda’s success, so this excellent company will be able to prosper and provide high-paying jobs for our community.” The facility has the capacity to produce 250,000 vehicles. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered up to $860,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $140,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The City of Greensburg supports the project at the request of the Greensburg Decatur County Economic Development Corporation. Indiana’s automotive industry ranks No. 2 in the nation by gross domestic product and contributes more than $15 billion to the state’s economy each year. Indiana ranks third in the United States for car and truck production, with more than 5.1 million vehicles produced here since 2010.

“Pieces of the first explosive were found near the entrance.”
2nd bomb deemed ‘threat’ to courts

Local authorities are calling the second explosive device a “direct threat” to the local justice system. Police asked for the community to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity in area neighborhoods. Officers received a call at 5:35 p.m. March 16 about an explosive device that had been detonated in the driveway of the home owned by Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Michael Hensley. Nothing was reported until family members arrived home after work and noticed pieces of the device on the driveway. This was the second time in two weeks that an explosive device has been detonated in the city. The first one was on March 6 at the city hall parking lot on Central Avenue. Pieces of the first explosive were found near the entrance.

Madison Police Chief Dan Thurston told the Madison Courier evidence recovered March 16 has consistencies with the first incident, which led officers to believe the same person or persons may be responsible for both explosions. Authorities are unsure of the size, but said it was a powder and appeared to be homemade. An analysis is being sent to the bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearms. State police explosive destruction team and the county’s sheriff’s department are also investigating. “Several agencies are working to bring whoever is doing this to justice,” Mayor Damon Welch said. Thurston commented they now believe the acts are targeted toward court authorities and are “a direct threat to our criminal justice system.”

The police chief asked judges, attorneys, law enforcement officials, other local public officials and their family members to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings as the ongoing investigation continues. Madison Police increased night patrols, and Indiana State Police also have extra units in the area following the two incidents. Thurston also asked the community to call in tips no matter how trivial. Anyone with information about the explosions is asked to contact Madison Police Detective Lieutenant Ty Eblen or Detective Lieutenant Jonathon Simpson at (812) 265-3347.

Local Bulletin Board

Deadline: April 1, 2016
Sheriff scholarships announced
Ripley Co. Sheriff Jeff Cumberworth announced that Indiana Sheriff’s Association would again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice. For details pick up a copy of The Versailles Republican dated February 11 and read page 3.

Deadline: April 4, 2016
SEIRD announces student scholarship
The Southeastern Indiana Recycling District (SEIRD) is pleased to announce the 2015 - 2016 “Students Making an Environmental Difference Scholarship” for graduating high school seniors. For details pick up a copy of The Versailles Republican dated February 11 and read pg. 2.