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Anderson leaders react to Bright news

Despite a “wow” of a plan to keep Bright Automotive anchored to Anderson — where the Bright Idea was put into place —  the company’s decision to house its tech plant in Michigan has left local economic development leaders exasperated.

Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson said the city was very frustrated when they heard the news about the Michigan location.

“Our community has invested considerable efforts and money over the last couple years in Bright, and we had high hopes that we would be able to retain the company’s operations in Anderson,” she said. “The city offered a very lucrative incentive package.”

Dawson said the package was for a plan from Bright that included a $1.4 million renovation to an existing building as well as $7.9 million in equipment purchases. The plan included 187 employees.

The incentives from the city included real estate tax abatements of $300,000, the ability for industrial revenue bonds that shaves off interest points and she said the group had already figured in what the community had invested into the company to date at about $12 million.

The state’s incentives were upwards of $4 million, although IEDC officials were unable to comment further about the incentives as the organization doesn’t comment on potential incentive packages.

“We made every effort at our disposal — and beyond — to attract the tech center to Anderson and Indiana,” Flagship CEO Chuck Staley said. “While I won’t go into specifics, our proposal was called substantial and generous. There was a wow factor. The bottom line is that for several reasons, they selected Rochester Hills. We wish Bright every success.”

Michigan had the lure.

Mike Shore, director of corporate communication for Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation, said the state is “fast on its way to becoming the electrical vehicle capital of North America.”

“There is little doubt that Michigan is very aggressive in (offering incentives for) new green, energy-related technologies such as Bright to relocate there,” said Staley.

Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, said the news was disappointing but makes sense.

“While it’s disappointing that Bright Automotive is relocating its Anderson technical center, the company’s decision is consistent with their investor, General Motors’ strategy of maintaining research and development functions at its Detroit headquarters,” Roob said. “We’ll continue to work with Bright to make sure Indiana is in the best position to compete for future investment.”

Anderson City Councilman Art Pepelea said the news was shocking.

“For 50 years we had Delco Remy and Guide here so I’d be surprised to hear they think we don’t have enough engineers,” he said. “But I don’t think this lessens our chances for the production plant. It all comes down to timing. We will just have to keep on plugging away.”

Madison County Council President Bill Savage said he hated to hear the news but understands that Michigan is very aggressive in attracting companies and spends a lot of money to recruit industries there.

“I’m hopeful that maybe locating the technical arm there may improve our chances of getting the production company,” he said. “I hope we get it.”

Rob Sparks of the Corporation for Economic Development said the local effort to keep Bright here was “nothing short of top rate.”

“Hopefully, some of that work will pay off yet in the long run,” Sparks added.

Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.