Bedford Booms in 2013
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGeneral Motors Co.'s (NYSE: GM) $29 million investment in its Bedford plant caps a very successful year for the southern Indiana community. The Lawrence County city earned a Stellar Community designation from the state and was named Community of The Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Shawna Girgis says continuing investments from the automaker as well as education and downtown revitalization efforts have helped the city “re-invent” itself over the last year. She spoke about the city's accomplishments last month on Inside INdiana Business Television. December 16, 2013
News Release
FLINT, Mich. – General Motors will invest nearly $1.3 billion in five manufacturing sites in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to produce new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions, enhance vehicle quality and streamline logistics. The investments combined will create or retain about 1,000 jobs.
The investments – announced today at GM plants in Detroit, Flint and Romulus, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio and Bedford, Ind. – will support production of a new V6 engine, new 10-speed transmission and an existing 6-speed transmission. They will also fund assembly plant upgrades, including a new paint shop and logistics optimization center.
Since 2009, GM has announced investments of about $10.1 billion in its U.S. operations – $2.8 billion in 2013 alone – creating or retaining more than 26,500 jobs.
“GM is committed to a strong American manufacturing base and creating jobs in dozens of communities throughout the country. Today’s announced plant upgrades continue the momentum of a resurgent auto industry,” said GM Executive Vice President and North America President Mark Reuss. “More importantly, these investments add up to higher quality and more fuel-efficient vehicles for our customers.”
Said UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who directs the union’s GM Department:
“Today’s announcement is a win for American workers. The UAW is proud to be a part of this successful collaboration with GM that has helped rebuild the nation’s economy, created good paying, union jobs in communities across the country, and brought manufacturing that was moved overseas back to the U.S. This is further proof that collective bargaining works.”
GM’s nearly $1.3 billion investment includes:
$600 million in Flint Assembly for facility upgrades, including a new paint shop
$493.4 million in Romulus Powertrain Operations, which includes $343.4 million for equipment to produce an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission and $150 million to increase capacity of a previously announced new V6 engine
$121 million in Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly for a logistics optimization center
$30.6 million in Toledo Transmission Operations for increased capacity for an existing 6-speed transmission and tooling for a new variant
$29.2 million in Bedford Castings, which includes $22.6 million to produce components for the 10-speed transmission and $6.6 million to produce components for an existing 6-speed transmission
The 10-speed automatic transmission will contribute to improved fuel economy and performance. Details about this program and the new V6 engine will be announced later.
About General Motors Co.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
Source: General Motors Co.
September 4, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Taking pride in its roots, but focusing on the future to secure a successful business climate and provide a high quality of life for residents has earned Bedford the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Community of the Year award.
Strengthened partnerships among the city, county and private sector paved the way for the community to focus on the high unemployment rate and higher-than-average obesity levels that were burdening the small city of 14,000 in south central Indiana.
With cooperation from city hall, the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, RADIUS Indiana, local businesses and concerned citizens, they began tackling the problems from all angles, including:
-Updating the city's comprehensive plan (which hadn't been done in 25 years) and creating a strategic investment plan and a downtown revitalization plan
-Focusing on education and workforce development through the planned Stonegate Arts & Education Center and a new partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and Duke Energy to offer an advanced manufacturing program
-Plans to add a walking trail system, revitalize the downtown square through new building facades and updates, add an affordable senior housing complex and also use Indiana limestone and murals to distinguish the entrance to the city
-Diversifying and continuing to support growing industries, including health care and defense manufacturing
Bedford's progress was recognized by the state earlier this year, as it was chosen as a Stellar Community. The Stellar Communities program is under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and is a multi-agency partnership among the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Department of Transportation and the State Revolving Fund. Only two Indiana communities are designated as such each year; Richmond was the other 2013 winner. The award brings $19 million in state, local and private funds to Bedford for planned improvements.
The former Visteon plant (which closed early in the recession) was purchased by a local businessman and converted into East Gate Business and Technology Center for high tech and industrial companies, with an emphasis on defense contractors.
Additionally, GM Powertrain Bedford has expanded to over 600 employees and its parent company has recently invested $221 million in new tooling and equipment to make new parts for GM transmissions.
“A community that adapts to changing industries and citizen needs is one that will succeed,” states Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “To see Bedford thrive and capitalize on partnerships at all levels to support its businesses and residents is heartening. The community sets a wonderful example for the rest of the state, and quite frankly, the country.”
The 2013 Community of the Year award will be presented to Mayor Shawna Girgis during the Indiana Chamber's 24th Annual Awards Dinner on November 12 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The 2013 Business Leader of the Year and Government Leader of the Year recipients will be announced at that time.
More than 1,200 business, political and community leaders are expected to attend. General Stan McChrystal will headline the event, which will feature a special tribute to Hoosiers in the armed services and recognition for Indiana business leaders and companies with ties to the military. Tables of 10 and individual tickets are available for the reception (5 p.m. EST) and dinner (6:30 p.m. EST). Reservations can be made at (800) 824-6885 or at www.indianachamber.com/specialevents.
Past Community of the Year recipients:
2012: Indianapolis
2011: Kokomo
2010: Terre Haute
2009: Valparaiso
2008: Noblesville
2007: Anderson
2006: Evansville
2005: LaPorte
2004: Muncie
2003: Warsaw
2002: Marion
2001: Greater Lafayette
2000: Jeffersonville
1999: Fort Wayne
1998: Rochester
1997: Batesville
1996: Elkhart
1995: Indianapolis
1994: Kendallville
1993: St. Joseph County
1992: Columbus
1991: Muncie
1990: Bluff