Anderson firefighter and landlord Brent Holland said he has been unable to take advantage of a good market to grow his rental business, despite a high credit score. “No one is doing this type of loan,” he said. “I cannot expand.”

It was a refrain Pence heard repeatedly during an hour-long town-hall-style meeting of businesspeople Friday at the Flagship Enterprise Center.

“People are just afraid to spend money, afraid to expand their businesses,” said John Weymouth, president of Anderson-based Medisurg, which buys, sells and services new and refurbished medical and surgical equipment.

“There’s a real sense of, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I’m going to hold tight,’” he said.  

“We went from a $450,000 credit line to — as soon as we paid it off — zero,” said Pete Bitar of Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems. “Uncertainty is feeding into decisions.”

Jerry Gassen, president and CEO of Ameriana Bank, said banking regulations arising from the financial meltdown and concern over more economic regulations are partly to blame for tight credit.

“All of those factors are just causing people not to do anything,” Gassen said.

Jim Alexander of the Senior Corps of Retired Executives said, “There’s no shortage of people who want to go into business. … They go to the bank, and it’s a dead end.

“Right now, a lot of them don’t have any money left,” he said of would-be entrepreneurs. “It’s kind of disheartening.”

Pence said he expected Congress when it reconvenes in September to begin talks about extending tax cuts that would expire in 2011 without action. He said there are indications from the Obama administration and leading Democrats in Congress that there is an appetite to extend the cuts that apply to families earning $200,000 or less.

Pence, R-6th District, is the No. 3 Republican in the House and is serving his fifth term. He faces a November election challenge from a familiar opponent in Democrat Barry Welsh, who twice has unsuccessfully sought to unseat Pence. Also running for the seat is tea party activist Talmage “T.J.” Thompson Jr., in the race on the Libertarian ticket.

In answer to a question about whether health care legislation could be stopped, Pence said, “the American people can stop it.

“If the majority (party in Congress) changes hands, we will use the power of the purse to slow it down,” he said, “until we can have a national referendum in 2012.”

Pence has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2011, and when asked Friday, he would not rule the option in or out.

“I’m completely focused on electing a Republican Congress,” he said as his entourage left Anderson, headed for Fort Wayne.  

Herald Bulletin
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com

The FEC was recently approved as a Small Business Administration Microloan Intermediary, which allows the Flagship to provide small businesses with loans ranging from $5,000 to $35,000.  Executive Director of the FEC, DeWayne Landwehr, said, “We are delighted to have Community Networks as our first official Microloan borrower.  Their business has seen consistent growth over the past year, but their growth had created a cash flow issue that this loan addresses.  They have a great business plan that they have been marching to, and we believe this microloan will give them what they need to continue to expand and succeed.  In fact, as they keep working with their business plan, this loan facilitates their transition from growth-restricted and cash poor to faster growth and positive cash flow.  It is exactly the kind of situation we are happy to work with.”

In May of 2009, Community Networks expanded from the Anderson Business Incubator to the FEC and now just over one year later they have moved again into a larger office at the FEC.  Tammy Rimer, President of Community Networks, said, “Our growth is so exciting!  This microloan will allow us to hire two new sales team members, and expand our sales efforts to a larger geographic region.”  Todd Rimer, Director of Business Development at Community Networks, said, “In the past I have been the only dedicated sales person.  I am thrilled that we will now be able to reach more of our target customers, and have the time to develop even stronger relationships with our clients.

The Flagship Microloan Program intends to encourage the growth of small businesses through the extension of credit and provision of business development services.  The SBA has approved the FEC’s microloan program for a ten county region, with a population of approximately 1.68 million.  According to the SBA, the microloan portfolio can grow up to a maximum of $3.5 million.  Although the FEC Microloan Program is starting on a small scale, FEC Microloan Program Manager, Adam Hoeksema says, “In the future, our microloan program has the potential to help hundreds of small businesses in Anderson, Madison County, and the entire region.  I am excited to watch as Community Networks leverages this microloan to grow their business in big ways.”

Created through a partnership between Anderson University and the City of Anderson, the Flagship Enterprise Center (FEC) serves as a new business incubator and growth stage business accelerator. Through its client-specific Client Support Program, the FEC helps emerging companies become independently viable. Located at I-69 and Martin Luther King Blvd. (exit 22) in Anderson, the FEC provides ongoing contact with management consultants, university researchers, student mentoring programs and access to capital. The FEC and its partners seek to encourage and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit within the community. The Flagship Enterprise Center is both an educational and technological incubator helping businesses develop and transition their technologies into real world applications and products in global markets. The FEC is one of the largest such centers in Indiana.

The Flagship Microloan Program is currently seeking new loan applicants.  Please contact Adam Hoeksema at adam@flagshipenterprise.org or by telephone at (765) 622-7960 if you have any questions about the Microloan Program.

“Altairnano technology was selected for this project based on its unique values of long cycle life and very rapid charge and discharge capabilities,” said Dr. Rick Rocheleau, HNEI director. “These characteristics are expected to help meet the integration challenges of high-penetration wind energy sources.”

The project is designed to test the performance characteristics of the battery and to demonstrate the effectiveness of battery storage technology to integrate wind energy into an electric grid. The test is expected to demonstrate solutions for integration of greater levels of renewable energy onto the grid, improving capacity utilization, and reducing dependency on fossil-fuel power generation while maintaining grid performance and reliability.

Terry Copeland, Altairnano president and CEO, said, “This project will show the value of our technology to cost-effectively meet the performance requirements for fast energy storage needed for wind integration, and we look forward to working with our partners to provide Hawai’i Electric Light Company with the means to increase their use of renewable energy sources.”

Hawai’i Electric Light Company plans to install the energy storage system at the Hawi Renewable Development wind farm on the north end of Hawai’i’s Big Island.

“We are looking forward to pursuing this opportunity with HNEI and Altairnano,” said Jay Ignacio, Hawai’i Electric Light Company president. “Over one-third of our energy is produced from renewable sources. Our goal is to reduce our fossil fuel dependency to zero. This project will help us better understand how we can achieve our goal.”

The memorandum of understanding is nonbinding. A definitive agreement reflecting the terms of the memorandum is expected to be finalized by the 4th quarter of 2010 with system installation in the first half of 2011.

The Office of Naval Research is providing funding for the project through a grant to the University of Hawai’i. Projects that support the Department of Navy’s energy programs to demonstrate technologies that enable increased implementation of alternative energy sources and promote energy security, are made possible by the efforts of Senator Inouye, Senate Appropriations Chair, to ensure that the Department of Defense is adequately resourced to make these critical and cutting edge investments in energy technology.

U. S. Government Disclaimer

The views and conclusions in this release are not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or of any other parties involved in this project. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Government.

About Altairnano, Inc.

Headquartered in Reno, Nevada with manufacturing in Anderson, Indiana, Altairnano is a leading provider of energy storage systems for clean, efficient power and energy management. Altairnano’s Lithium-Titanate based battery systems are among the highest performing and most scalable, with applications that include complete energy storage systems for use in providing frequency regulation and renewables integration for the electric grid, battery modules and cells for transportation applications, and battery packs for several different military applications. For more information please visit Altairnano at www.altairnano.com.

Source: Inside Indiana Business

General Motors’ new venture capital firm provided Bright Automotive with a $5 million infusion that promises to keep alive the little Anderson company’s dream of making a high-tech work van.

GM Ventures LLC confirmed the investment Tuesday was made in the young business in hopes that GM’s prominence will help it attract more investors and land a $450 million federal loan.

Bright needs the loan and an undisclosed amount of cash from new investors to set up a proposed 1,000-employee plant capable of making 50,000 vans a year.

Although the company is not close to opening a plant, it is evaluating sites in Indiana and other states, looking for a standing building or a suitable construction site near a railroad.

“Bringing a manufacturing site to a local community is a major impact on that community,” said Bright Chairman Reuben Munger, who declined to say which state might have the lead.

“I don’t want to promise jobs to people until I am highly confident the company can deliver to those people,” he said.

In spite of the fanfare around its proposed electric work truck, Bright stalled after its 2008 founding when the recession scared off investors. The original 2012 launch date is all but impossible now, with the company looking to 2013 or 2014 to begin production.

Bright, which employs 30 in Anderson, expects to hire 70 more engineers and technicians this year as it ramps up development of the work truck.

Investing in Bright returns GM to its roots in Anderson, but in a quiet way, as an investor rather than a manufacturer whose 25,000 jobs had dominated the city since the 1920s.

Anderson was battered in the 1980s and 1990s when GM scaled back and sold the Guide and Delco Remy divisions to investors who closed the plants and eliminated almost all the jobs. In June, the city’s jobless rate was 11.6 percent.

When John Waters, a former Delco Remy engineer who had worked on the GM EV1 electric car in the 1990s in Anderson, came up with the idea of an electric work truck and decided to launch the business in Anderson, he was in Colorado and affiliated with an energy think tank called the Rocky Mountain Institute.

In June, Waters stepped down as Bright chief executive to focus on product development. Munger, the chairman, added the CEO role. Munger is a venture capitalist and trustee of the Rocky Mountain Institute, where he met Waters in 2007.

Bright’s reshuffling came after Munger met last fall with Stephen Girsky, an important new member of GM’s board of directors.
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Girsky, who came on the GM board last year, this spring helped form GM Ventures. It puts cash in promising businesses that can help generate profits for GM to repay $50 billion lent by U.S. taxpayers in the 2009 bailout. Bright is GM Ventures’ first investment.

Girsky, an acknowledged auto industry expert on Wall Street, was nominated to the GM board by the United Auto Workers health-care fund. The fund owns a minority stake in GM in return for concessions made as part of the bailout.

Munger, whose Vision Ridge Partners has put cash in Bright, finalized prospects with Girsky and GM Ventures in January.

GM will provide key components for the work van, including the engine and transmission, but won’t have a hand in operating the Anderson company.

Jon Lauckner, a GM vice president who runs GM Ventures, said the Bright truck will fill a market niche for a van smaller than the conventional Chevrolet Express.

GM product planners will examine the truck, called the Bright Idea, at a later date to see whether it can be sold through GM’s dealer network and modified for other uses.

In its present form, the Idea would be sold by Bright to fleets such as snack-food makers and utilities whose repair vans are in frequent use.

Idea would have GM’s four-cylinder engine and transmission powering the front axle. An electric motor and lithium-based battery would power the rear axle. The battery and motor makers have not been identified. Munger estimated the suppliers for Bright could have 5,000 workers supporting the work truck in other cities and states.

“The next step is going to be coordinating the financing with existing shareholders, GM, the new investors and the Department of Energy,” he said.

Although Bright was founded in Anderson, the state’s main economic development arm provides the larger incentives only for businesses that are being recruited by other states. That leads local companies to shop their projects among other states.

“We’re looking to make sure we’ve selected the best site for our vehicle,” Munger said.

“We’re certainly considering Indiana. Bright Automotive has benefited from a tremendous Hoosier knowledge base. We are evaluating multiple locations and multiple states and are in a process of narrowing and optimizing our site election in the next few months.”

ANDERSON, Ind. —  It has been years since Anderson has seen money from General Motors, but a Tuesday announcement of a partnership between the motor company and Anderson’s Bright Automotive means the automaker is once again investing in the community.

Newly formed General Motors Ventures will invest $5 million in Bright and will own a minor stake in the company, said Jon Lauckner, president of GM Venture. This is the first company GM Ventures has invested in, and it will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.

The $5 million is an initial investment, GM spokeswoman Sherrie Arb said, as the purpose of GM Ventures is to provide seed money to start-up companies with innovative technology ideas. Future funding is possible, she said.

The strategic relationship between the two could mean an additional 6,000 jobs, although it is still unclear if those jobs will be here in Anderson — 1,000 would be direct production jobs and 5,000 in the way of suppliers and to support infrastructure.

“Indiana has been a wonderful partner, and we really appreciate coming of age there, and we are doing all that we can to match the best (site) selection with those communities we are really close to,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “Anderson is at the front of that list.”

And Anderson’s Flagship Enterprise Center — where Bright is currently located — can accommodate an expansion by Bright if the company decides to remain here for production, Flagship President and CEO Charles Staley said.

Bright is currently expanding its laboratory for Bright eSoultions with a 3,500-square-foot facility, and an 80,000-square-foot building is being built near the Flagship Center that could act as an interim step-up for Bright to go from its present space to some elevated prototyping and light manufacturing, he said.

Staley said they have been working with Bright to look at spaces in the area to accommodate a much larger expansion and production but stressed that the Flagship and Anderson would have to compete with other cities and states to earn it.

“We have an advantage,” he said. “We know the company. We have supported the company. We have walked this path with Bright and leveraged every resource we could for them. We have been in the trenches with them supporting them through the dark days. They know that.

“Do we have a lock on this though? No, we don’t. They are going to go out and look at other sites. That is due diligence on their part. But we do think we can compete. Indiana is a great place to do this sort of thing. The legacy here is in electrical engineering and hybrid platforms. This is the electrical engineering capital. They know that Anderson has supported them.

“I think we have the advantage, but we have to go back to the drawing board and put together a program and platform to seal the deal so they will do the manufacturing here.”

Lauckner said the partnership is one that will benefit both companies well. He wouldn’t elaborate about the share they now hold in Bright, only saying it was a minority one. He said the investment will advance GM’s position to develop energy-efficient powertrains and advance hybrid technology.

“We’re basically delighted to be in a partnership, a strategic relationship with Ruben (Munger) and the Bright team,” Lauckner said. “We hope as an early investor that we not only support Bright in development of production with technology we have with engines and transmissions, but we also hope to act as a catalyst to grow the capital base of the company and ultimately lead to the successful development of the Bright IDEA van.”

Bright and GM have been in talks since last fall about a potential partnership. Bright approached several original equipment manufacturers and GM emerged as the best, overall strategic fit, according to Bright officials.

Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said the partnership with GM is a “huge step” in the right direction.

“We’ve been awaiting this announcement,” he said. “This is going to spurn excitement and motion from the Department of Energy. Now we have to go to work and make sure this stays right here in Anderson.”

Bright has applied for a $450 million low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to begin mass production of the IDEA by 2012. The company was previously denied DOE grants of $17 million and $18 million.

With delays in funding and a recession economy, Bright was forced to reduce staff and halt some efforts, pushing the release date for mass production closer to 2014, Munger said.

Rob Sparks, executive director for Anderson’s Corporation for Economic Development, said Ockomon and his team, including Sparks, have been working “very hard” and continue to do everything they can to bolster Anderson’s position to support Bright.

“Only time will tell how all of that will pay off,” he said.

The city is “fully supportive” in helping entice Bright to stay, though, Sparks said.

“We have been pretty aggressive doing what we can as a community,” he said. “There are some things out of our control, but everything within our reach we’ve done to try to help them. We have looked at about every scenario to try to assist them in order to land their manufacturing here. But we still have to climb a hill.”

Anderson Economic Development Director Linda Dawson said they have had many conversations with Bright to discuss possible future incentives and look forward to continuing those conversations.

“GM is an old, respected name in Anderson and served Anderson quite well for years,” she said. “Bright is the new name in Anderson. We hope with the partnership being formed that GM would once again have a presence in Anderson with Bright. There is obviously a qualified labor force well skilled in alternative energy technology.

“We feel like this would be a benefit to not only both companies and Anderson but also a benefit to the world in general by putting new renewable energy in a common transportation van.”

Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4840, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.

Detroit, MI and Anderson, IN (August 3, 2010) — Bright Automotive and General Motors today announced they have agreed to pursue a strategic relationship and that GM has provided funding to the Indiana automaker. This is the first funding action by the newly-formed General Motors Ventures, LLC, and it will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA, a revolutionary plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle.

“This relationship is an important step forward for Bright, and a strong endorsement of our highly experienced automotive team and our incredible vehicle,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “With this deal, Bright gets financial support that puts us on the fast-track toward mass production of the IDEA. And perhaps just as importantly, we gain a strategic partner that is a world leader in electrification.”

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in July. General Motors Ventures LLC provided funding to Bright this week, and the two companies intend to complete the formal agreements later this year. Upon completion of the agreements and other terms, General Motors Ventures would have a minority stake in Bright Automotive (www.brightautomotive.com) and Bright would have access to GM technologies, and advanced engine and transmission systems, for its vehicle
“Funding early-stage start-up companies is a new way of doing business at GM to accelerate the introduction of innovative technology to support our core automotive business and give us a competitive advantage,” said Jon Lauckner, President of GM Ventures. “In this case, our funding of Bright Automotive will accelerate the introduction of advanced propulsion and light-weight technologies in the commercial vehicle market.”
“We talked with several leading automakers, but GM clearly had the right vision, the most capable technology, and the closest alignment with our business approach,” said Michael Brylawski, Bright Automotive Executive Vice President. “We are thrilled to work with GM to create American jobs, stimulate technology development, and build an innovative American vehicle that will help reduce oil dependence and cut costs for businesses.”
In developing the IDEA, Bright started with a clean sheet of paper, listened to customers, and took a novel approach to product development that focused on light-weighting, aerodynamics and a highly efficient drivetrain. The result is a multipurpose vehicle for business fleets — the first designed to be highly efficient and provide a clear economic benefit.
The IDEA delivers a positive total cost of ownership to fleet customers by providing significantly greater fuel efficiency than current fleet vehicles in its class. The IDEA operates in electric mode for 40 miles before switching to an estimated 36-mpg hybrid mode for 100+ mpg potential based on daily driving behavior. Bright Automotive provides details on the IDEA at www.brightautomotive.com.
Funding through GM Ventures will allow Bright to begin ramping-up the development of the production program for the IDEA in the third quarter of 2010. Bright continues to seek a low interest loan through the Department of Energy’s ATVM program. Financial terms were not disclosed.
About General Motors

General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com
General Motors Ventures, LLC, was funded with an initial investment of $100 million, and is currently exploring equity investments in a number of auto-related technologies and business models.
About Bright Automotive

Bright Automotive launched from Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in January, 2008 with the world’s most experienced EV/PHEV team and the goal of building on the work of a consortium of organizations, including Alcoa, Google.org, Johnson Controls and the Turner Foundation. Since then, Bright Automotive has developed the IDEA, the world’s first multi-purpose, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets. It has also launched Bright eSolutions, which delivers expertise to automotive customers worldwide to accelerate vehicle electrification, lightweighting, and overall platform efficiency. More information about Bright Automotive can be found at www.brightautomotive.com.

Source: Bright Automotive, General Motors Company

ANDERSON, Ind. —

Anderson’s Flagship Enterprise Center can accommodate an expansion by Bright Automotive if the company decides to remain here for production of its IDEA plug-in commercial service van.

The strategic relationship between GM and Bright, announced Tuesday, could mean an additional 6,000 jobs, though it is unclear whether those jobs would be located in Anderson.

“Indiana has been a wonderful partner, and we really appreciate coming of age there. … We are doing all that we can to match the best selection with those communities we are really close to,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive Chairman and CEO. “Anderson is at the front of that list.”

Newly formed General Motors Ventures will invest $5 million in Bright and will own a minor stake in the company, said Jon Lauckner, president of GM Venture. This is the first funding by GM Ventures and will help accelerate Bright’s production of the IDEA.

“We’re basically delighted to be in a partnership, a strategic relationship with Ruben (Munger) and the Bright team,” Lauckner said. “We hope as an early investor that we not only support Bright in development of production with technology we have with engines and transmissions, but we also hope to act as a catalyst to grow the capital base of the company and ultimately lead to the successful development of the Bright IDEA van.”

Bright Automotive has been seeking a federal loan and other investors for production of the IDEA.

GM and Bright signed a memorandum of understanding in July.

Munger said the investment would mean 1,000 direct jobs and an additional 5,000 in the way of suppliers and to support infrastructure. The Anderson facility is already beginning expansion by adding space to its current engineering location, Munger said.

Flagship President and CEO Charles Staley said Bright is currently expanding its laboratory for Bright eSoultions and that an 80,000 square-foot building is being built near the flagship that could act as an interim step-up for Bright to go from its present space to some elevated prototyping and light manufacturing.

Staley said the Flagship has been working with Bright to look at space in the area to accommodate much larger expansion and production but stressed that the Flagship and Anderson would have to compete to earn it.

“We have an advantage,” he said. “We know the company. We have supported the company. We have walked this path with Bright and leveraged every resource we could for them. We have been in the trenches with them supporting them through the dark days. They know that.

“Do we have a lock on this though? No, we don’t,” Staley said. “They are going to go out and look at other sites. That is due diligence on their part. But we do think we can compete. Indiana is a great place to do this sort of thing. The legacy here is in electric engineering and hybrid platforms. This is the electrical engineering capital. They know that Anderson has supported them. I think we have the advantage, but we have to go back to the drawing board and put together a program and platform to seal the deal so they will do the manufacturing here.”

Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said the announcement is a “huge step” in the right direction.

“We’ve been awaiting this announcement,” he said. “This is going to spurn excitement and motion from the Department of Energy.”

Bright has applied for a $450 million low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to begin mass production of the IDEA by 2012. The company was previously denied DOE grants of $17 million and $18 million. With delays in funding forcing a reduction in staff and a halt in production, the estimated production launch of the IDEA is closer to 2014, Munger said.
“Now we have to go to work and make sure this stays right here in Anderson,” Ockomon said.

For more details, visit www.theheraldbulletin.com later today and read Wednesday’s print edition of The Herald Bulletin.

ANDERSON, Ind. — The IDEA, Bright Automotive’s fuel-efficient cargo van, has gotten the attention of General Motors, leading to a $5 million investment from the company.

The IDEA is a 100-mpg plug-in hybrid vehicle built to be part of a fleet, offering companies a chance to use hybrids in their day-to-day operations.

Bright claims the IDEA will save corporations who use the vehicle about 18 cents per gallon, amounting to a fuel savings of 1,500 gallons per year compared to competitors.

Under aggressive drive cycles, the IDEA offers 38 miles on its electric range and 36 miles per gallon, amounting to about 400 miles per gas tank, Michael Brylawski of Bright Automotive said Tuesday.

The IDEA is targeted to replace class one and light-class trucks, often used by utility companies and in telecommunications.

As the IDEA goes into production, it will feature a GM engine and transmission.

Reuben Munger of Bright said the vehicle should offer customers “unprecedented efficiency … saving consumers a tremendous amount of money.”

In addition to being fuel efficient, the IDEA is green.

According to Bright, a fleet of 250,000 IDEA vehicles will save 30 million tons of carbon dioxide and 2.8 billion gallons of fuel over the vehicles’ 150,000-mile life cycle.

Bright used eco-friendly materials in the production of the IDEA’s interior.

The vehicle features interior door panels made from recycled aluminum, a floor made from recycled auto tires, an all-natural Ecobond headliner, low-energy LED lighting, a renewable fibrowood instrument panel top cover and a renewable non-skid cork surface.

Though the vehicle is built to weigh just 3,200 pounds compared to its 5,200-pound competitors, the vehicle offers a 2,000-pound payload.

The IDEA’s battery can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet and takes between four to eight hours to fully charge.

Bright has not yet disclosed the anticipated cost of the vehicle.

Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com

But regardless of the outcome of its application, the Anderson-based electric-car startup will continue to hone its business model to the marketplace. Recently that has meant cutting staff.

“We did have a reduction a few weeks ago,” said Dave Lauzun, executive vice president of vehicle programs. “We’re focusing on vehicle solutions while we continue to wait.”

Lauzun said Bright eliminated seven positions, including that of vice president of marketing and sales Lyle Shuey, reducing its total staff to 22 people. The company reported having 31 employees in August 2009.

Meanwhile, however, Bright has begun construction of its second advanced dynamometer, a high-tech tool for measuring vehicle performance, including fuel efficiency. Both include rollers that allow vehicles—including Bright’s hybrid-electric utility van, the Idea—to be tested while running in gear.

“We’ve been running three shifts on that, doing projects for other customers,” Lauzun said of the existing dynamometer. “We’re working on a Department of Defense contract, we’ve got two U.S. Postal vehicles in here and another project we’ve been doing for Duke Energy.”

While the first dynamometer is located inside the Bright headquarters at the Flagship Enterprise Center, the new version is being built in the parking lot outside. A sheltered walkway will connect the buildings. Construction of the new dynamometer is expected to reach completion in early September, Lauzun said.

Bright has applied for a $450 million low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to begin mass production of the Idea by 2012. The company was previously denied DOE grants of $17 million and $18 million.

In April 2009, Bright unveiled the Idea before members of congress in Washington, D.C. In February, Teno Villareal of the White House Auto Recovery Task Force visited the company and Lauzun said the company holds out hope that the loan will come through.

“We’re still very optimistic,” he said. “We can’t get a nailed-down timeline, but we’re still working through the process. I’m responsible for (working with the DOE), we have two to three touchpoints with them every week.”

By Justin Schneider
The Herald Bulletin