Inside this issue New Assembly Project Opportunities Mitsubishi Raider Worker Update Why Bloomington-Normal   Mitsubishi at CIRA     Tours and Visitors

New Assembly Project Opportunities

The EDC is currently responding to at least one request for proposal and exploring several other assembly plant operations. There are currently five companies seeking a location for assembly of vehicles and/or trucks of which we have become aware. The EDC as a function of the Mitusbishi Task Force is exploring the potential of these companies either using the resources of Mitsubishi and the excess capacity available at the plant and/or attracting these companies to the Bloomington Normal area and McLean County at a new location. One company has gone so far as to present their search criteria through the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. We are currently working with the State of Illinois to develop a proposal.

The companies are seeking new assembly locations for models of trucks and/or mini-vans. Working with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), we are developing a strategy for contacting these companies to not only make them aware of the Mitsubishi situation, but also the attributes the area has for the development of the automotive industry. We will keep the partners of the Central Illinois region appraised of any opportunities as they are presented to us. The current search requires the following:

150 acres of a relatively level site terrain with a compact property shape - not more than 1.5 to 1 relationship of sides; must have rail access and be within 10 miles of interstate highway access. All the usual utilities are required including gas, electric, water, sewer and an available skilled workforce.  If any community knows of any sites that meet these requirements, please let us know immediately.

Mitsubishi Raider- top of page

The Mitsubishi Raider is due out this fall. Much has already been written about the full-size truck, and the company expects it to attract many people to the Mitsubishi showrooms. The truck's styling emphasizes sportiness with a bold stance and aggressive attitude and incorporates signature design cues from the Mitsubishi family of vehicles - including Endeavor and Galant. The Raider will include a standard V6 and a V8 engine option, two different cab configurations and unique interior and exterior styling distinctive to Mitsubishi. The Raider, based on the Dodge Dakota mid-size truck, will be built in the Daimler-Chrysler plant in Warren, Michigan.

Raider available feature highlights include:

• 4.7L V8 with 230 horsepower and 290 pounds-feet of torque
• Fully boxed steel frame
• Independent front suspension with coil-over shocks and
  live axle and multi-leaf rear suspension
• Extended or double cab in two- and four-wheel drive
• 500-watt audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer
• Bluetooth (R) technology.

Here are two Web sites to look at. The first is the official Mitsubishi Web site offering a preview look at the vehicle. It has many very good pictures. The second site is an independent review of the truck.

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/06raider/

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=106913

Worker Update - top of page

Upon the announcement of the Mitsubishi layoff, the State of Illinois provided a special grant to the community to assist the dislocated workers. Here is an update of services provided:

IS Grant (Special Grant for MMNA Dislocated Workers) Statistics - 9/22/05

Why Bloomington-Normal - top of page

The Center for Automotive Research is developing a report for the Mitsubishi Task Force and the EDC called “Why Bloomington-Normal.” This detailed report will give specific information about why Bloomington-Normal is such a good location for not only Mitsubishi but also suppliers and other automotive-related industry companies. On the link below, you will be able to retrieve several maps showing the number of automotive-related suppliers and manufacturing companies within a 250 and 450 mile radius of Bloomington-Normal. It gives a strong argument not only for Bloomington-Normal, but for all of Central Illinois as a location for automotive-related industry.

Mitsubishi at CIRA - top of page

On July 27th Mitsubishi Motors North America, UAW Local 2488 and the Central Illinois Regional Airport, in cooperation with the Task Force, unveiled a 2005 Galant at the Central Illinois Regional Airport. This display is in the east wing near the luggage retrieval area.  If you haven’t been to the airport to see the display, stop by when you have a chance. Thanks to the CIRA for giving the opportunity to display the car and show all the visitors to the airport and our area the hard work going into the vehicles made in Normal. The display of the vehicle will be ongoing indefinitely.

Tours and Visitors - top of page

Since April 7th of this year there have been 1,437 people that have toured the Mitsubishi Motors plant. These tours have been arranged through the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in cooperation with the company since that time. The tours take place on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (black out dates apply). Reservations must be made in advance because they fill up fast. Each tour can include up to 40 people. The visit lasts approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours, which includes an introductory video and a 20-30 minute cat walk tour followed with a question and answer session. The tour is free of charge. Children under the age of 10 years old are not permitted on the tour. The tours are wheelchair accessible. Guests will wear safety glasses and use a headset during the tour. The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau can make a reservation for you or your group. Call 1-800-433-8226 to make reservations.

No new meetings are scheduled at this time. We anticipate having a meeting to introduce the report being developed by the Center for Automotive Research, titled “Why Bloomington-Normal,” later this year. We will let you know prior to the date. Please call Marty Vanags at the EDC if you have any questions.