Fort Wayne G.M. Will Expand
By: Marchelle McConnell
Updated: July 7, 2009
2,500 jobs are safe, and 50 are retained. This is possible because Fort Wayne Assembly Plate was chosen for a $46 million production expansion, $27 million of which be spent on new equipment.
Joe Kenzovish a G.M. worker says “Its great news. Great news for the community, and all the vendors, and everybody around. Its great news!”
The Fort Wayne Plant will start making GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado three-quarter ton and one ton heavy-duty pick up trucks, beginning June of 2010. Later that summer they will start making diesel trucks.
Mike Blinski, the Ft. Wayne, G.M. Plant Manager, says “Now having the flexibility of producing not only light duty, but heavy duty pick-up trucks positions us to be able to continue running production on both shifts without experiencing few if any downward turns.”
The Allen County Commissioners granted G.M. a tax abatement of $27 million on the invested equipment back in June. Local 2209 Spokesman says the tax break was important in G.M. choosing the Fort Wayne plant over other plants fighting for the expansion. “There are cities and states bidding all over the county for this type of work and everything takes part and it was a very big part in it.”
They started installing the new equipment today.
The plant has been closed for the last 10 weeks on temporary layoffs. It’s scheduled to reopen under normal operation next week, July 13th.
