GREENSBURG, Indiana (June 28, 2006) ? Indiana will be home to Honda?s new North American automobile plant. Governor Mitch Daniels today joined Honda executives from the company?s North American operations to announce that the facility ? which will begin production in fall 2008 and employ 2,000 people ? will be located on 1,700 acres in Decatur County near Greensburg.

?Honda does business the way Hoosiers have always admired: with a commitment to the highest quality in their products and in their commitment to their co-workers, their neighbors and the entire community. Today, we are thrilled not just by the numbers but by the nature of these new jobs and the company that will bring them,? said Daniels.

The governor returned early from an 11-day trade mission to Japan and South Korea after completing his entire official schedule. He remained in frequent telephone contact with Honda officials in the United States while on the trip.

According to Honda officials, the company will build a $550 million facility in Decatur County beginning later this year. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles.

Combined state and local direct investment to support the Honda project includes EDGE tax credits, training assistance, and real and personal property tax abatements totaling up to $41.5 million. In addition, there will be infrastructure support for water, wastewater and road improvements of approximately $44 million. To accommodate future growth in the region, the state is expediting the long-sought interchange upgrade on Interstate 74, along with water, wastewater, and other road upgrades totaling approximately $56 million.

Daniels utilized staff from several state agencies, including the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Management, the Department of Natural Resources and the Economic Development Corporation to anticipate and find solutions to possible issues, such as road improvements, pre-permitting and utility needs.

In addition to local officials in Decatur County, the governor also recognized Lawrenceburg town officials for their commitment to the project. The Southeastern Indiana Government Grant Program will provide infrastructure assistance to the project. The city of Lawrenceburg initiated the grant program to stimulate growth, retention and improvement of the economic climate in nine counties in southeastern Indiana.

?After a record string of new-jobs announcements in 2005, Indiana is on a track to break that record again this year. Let?s call it official ? Indiana?s economic comeback is underway,? said Daniels.

Complete information about the announcement may be found at www.honda.com.

A summary of state and local provisions for the project is located here.