When the German supplier ElringKlinger looked at Fort Wayne, Ind., for a $23 million investment in green-tech automotive components this year, city officials moved fast to prepare.
Fort Wayne quickly granted a tax abatement to a local builder, who began building ElringKlinger's manufacturing plant on spec, says Dan Watson, a spokesman for Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the local economic development agency. As a result, ElringKlinger was able to schedule the start of equipment installation in July.
It was a desirable prize for the city, as well as for Indiana. The German company supplies such next-generation auto technologies as fuel cell and battery systems, lightweighting components and heat shielding systems. The new Fort Wayne site - its fifth U.S. plant - will produce aluminum shielding systems for acoustic and thermal vehicle protection, as well performing logistics, IT and r&d operations.
ElringKlinger chose Fort Wayne for its proximity to nearby customers, as well as to its own plants in Michigan. The company supplies a number of U.S. automakers.
To seal the deal, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. granted ElringKlinger $1 million in tax credits and $200,000 in performance-based training grants. The state economic development agency said it wants to continue to spur such advanced manufacturing investment in the state.
"Indiana is focused on creating a diversified economy by propelling key industries like advanced manufacturing," the development agency said in a statement. "By supporting the culture, resources and strategic initiatives needed to propel new advancements in this industry, we'll ensure that Indiana remains a hub for innovation and continues to create great jobs in manufacturing and the growing tech sector."
