Auto components manufacturer Delphi Corporation will invest $59 million to expand its technical base and establish a new production facility in Kokomo, Indiana, according to the Indiana governor's office. The company plans to create 190 new jobs over the next five years, and will begin hiring new engineering staff next year. Delphi currently operates an Electronics & Safety division in Kokomo, and plans to lease and equip a 90,000-square-foot facility for the manufacture of electronics products for the electric drive vehicle market. "Indiana offers a great business environment to support Delphi as we apply our strong technology heritage to the expanding 'green' industry of hybrid and electric vehicles," says Jeff Owens, a Delphi vice president. "With support at the federal, state, and local levels, we will work to develop new production capacity for power electronic products that can help meet two critical government and industry goals -- reducing dependence on petroleum and reducing greenhouse gas emissions -- right here at the 'Crossroads of America.'" The state has offered Delphi up to $2.2 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $70,000 in training grants, contingent on job creation; a property tax abatement application with the city is pending. The company also received an $89.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy last August.
