Outpouring of Support Continues
I took a call around lunch time today – the reception desk was informing me that UPS had just arrived and that there were eight rather sizable boxes waiting to be delivered. We weren’t expecting anything and were even further confused by the “Medical Equipment” identifiers on the outside of each box. The markings, however, only proved to be a clever ruse to keep sticky fingers far away from the real goodies hidden inside.
“What a blessing to have you visit our community.”
Each box contained a carefully thought out gift basket containing items such as the book Off the Beaten Path (A guide to unique places), a chocolate Indy car, and even a Carbon Motors cookie (yes, I blasphemed our logo… and it was quite tasty!). Let’s face it folks: it’s not every day that you receive well-wishes for an incredibly difficult decision and “thank you” baskets for helping to bring a town together in a way that has not been seen since 1983. That is, of course, unless that community you visited happened to be Connersville, Indiana.
Let it be known that the support from southeastern Indiana continues to flow daily into Georgia and that every member of the Carbon team is deeply appreciative of your resolve. We all know that it takes an entire team to cross any finish line or to achieve a common goal and if Connersville is chosen as the location for the Carbon Campus, it will be due largely to the fact that the entire state pulled together as one cohesive team. And if Indiana wins this first heat against its other four opponents, I will proudly place the “Made in Indiana” bumper sticker on the E7 and join you in the second half of the race until we cross the finish line together in 2012!!!
Tagged: police, police car, carbon motors, connersville, indiana, homeland security, e7, jobs, site, campus, pure justice tour, tour, cop, cops, cop car, cop cars, purpose built, law enforcement patrol vehicle, patrol, patrol vehicle
Comments
What an awesome display of desire. They really want Carbon Motors in Indiana. Braselton, GA better step up.
I am so proud to say I am from Connersville, Indiana. I am happy that Carbon Motors is impressed with our Hooiser Hospitality. I highly reccomend Connersville as the site for the E-7's factory. Carbon Motors would be a wonder and welcome addition to Connersville. The whole town would love having the company there. You will not find a more dedicated and hard working group of people for your plant. I hope you will decide to bring Carbon Motors to the city.
As a "former" resident of Richmond IN, Carbon Motors would be a blessing to Connersville and the surrounding areas. Hoosier hospitality is the best in the world.
How much did those goody baskets cost the taxpayers? What a joke. Carbon Motors doesn't care about chocolate and cookies. They care about tax incentives and the local workforce.
Mr. Li, I grew up in Connersville and throughout my latter teen years I often said "I can't wait to get out of this one horse town." And one day, I did. I moved to a place that I had heard about in a song, and thought it would be where my dreams would come true! But, one day some years later, I realized that MY dream was for my children to grow up and know the love and support that only a true FAMILY community can give. So I moved back to Connersville, with my wife and 3 children, and fell in love with it all over again. As humans we tend to see the negatives in any person, place, and situation. But, what makes us weak at first, eventually builds us up as strong. Losing factories, jobs, and revenue really kicked us in the pants for a while. But after being down for so long, we have banded together like an army of fury, and have stood up ready to fight with all we've got to gain what we so desperately need! I'm proud of MY town, MY mayor, and MY fellow Connersvillians! This may not be the place for Carbon motors, but it IS the place for my family. We welcome you and your company Mr. Li. We invite you to see what we are made of. I hope you get a clear look, beyond our mistakes, and see the beautiful scenes of true American spirit that caused this prodigal son to return!
In regards to Josh's comment, which I don't really know why I would respond, The money used to put on the celebration, decorations, goody baskets and all, was ALL donated by local citizens. Not one penny used was taxpayers monies. Just wanted to clear the air!
Mr. Li, I used to work in the former Visteon building that you are so interested. That building holds so many memories and history of the past of automotive industry. Our could rise again to greatness again with your help of this wonderful new police car of yours. I may not go back into the manufactoring industry but many of our families have been built and lived this kind of life like the coal miners. This in in our blood. If you give this communnity a chance to manufacture your product, you will see the pride and great workmanship this community has to offer. Thanks for listening and we would like for you to be a part of our history and family in Connersville.
Mr, Li, I would like to ask that you bring the Carbon E7 to Connersville. I worked in the former Visteon building for 20 years before it closed the doors, and would love to see it occupied again by a company that would be around for a long time, as I feel that yours would. You won't find a more dedicated, hard-working group of people than you will in Connersville, Indiana! You need a building and we need jobs...please let us show you what we can do! : )
Mr. Li, I know the time to make a decision is coming to a close, and anything I have to say may or may not affect your decision; but Sir you need Connersville, as much as Connersville needs you. We may be a small community, but we are proud of this small town and very eager to help you bring Carbon Motors into full production. We have done all that is within our power to show you our commitment, I myself have emailed Indiana's Congressmen,State Representatives, Governor, and even President Obama in regards to giving Connersville, IN a "bail out" to help bring in Carbon Motors. Again, we have showed our support and commitment. Please help to bring Connersville the industrial favor we once had. God bless you in all that you do and may his will be in your final decision. Thanks again for looking at Connersville as a possible home for your company. We welcome you with open arms.
Aiken County, South Carolina is definately the ideal location for Carbon Motors! We have excellent highways here in Aiken County. We're close to port cities such as Charleston, SC and Savannah, Ga. In addition, we are only 2 hours away from Charlotte and Atlanta, which are growing by leaps and bounds. But more importantly, we have a well educated workforce gladly and willing to provide for our police around the country. Go Aiken!
Mr. Li and the Carbon Motors Team: Thank you for bringing hope to the citizens of Connersville. Years ago, I worked at Visteon so I know the strength and integrity of our workforce. No where will you find a more dedicated and caring group of people. The citizens of Connersville, and those in the great state of Indiana welcome you with open arms and look forward to showing you Hoosier Hospitality on a daily basis.
As Jay Marlow stated in his post, He moved to a place he heard of in a song. Tom T. Hall wrote a song about his stay here in Connersville and how the people helped him out. Tom has came back many years ago for a visit and concert. I ask this, how many of the other towns in the running have a song about them for helping someone out when they needed it or when they just come to visit?
visteon didnt leave because of any problems of employs they made money all the time they were in buessnes so keep this in mide its a wanderfull plase to be the people will do the same work to make your company profitable so wellcom to connersville ind.i think we would make a great team thank you.
I want to thank the Carbon Motor Team for considering Connersville for future production. Yes we may be a smaller community than others being considered but as they say * Big things come in small packages* I don't think the company will find a more dedicated community, I think that was proven by the reception you recieved on arrival. I would also like to thank you for visiting the local Frazee school, you made the kids feel so important that you would take the time to speak with them. Regardless if Connersville is chosen or not we have had the chance to show other companies that may be looking for a ideal area we stand tall and welcome all into our community. Best Wishes
Carbon Motors, save your time and energy. There is nothing in Connersville. Just a bunch of desperate people needing jobs. No shopping, no entertainment, no restaurants. I can't believe it took a Carbon Motors visit to get the townspeople to finally clean up its trashy streets and plant a few trees.
If u make a decision to have your company come to connersville indiana it could be a life changing situation for me an my family and would hep connersville greatly
To all the members of your management team, as a resident and former employee of Visteon, I would like to point out that in your discussions that you take into consideration the cost savings you will have at the start of production. You will start with a building that will save time and money on start-up cost. You will also be able to adjust the time line for starting production to get this important vehicle out to the police departments. I will not take the negative approach that some have from other communities, what I will say is that the five counties that make up this area have a rich history and compete hard when it comes to sports, but in our dedication to community we fight together as one for what values we feel are important. Those values are God, family, friends, community, a hard work ethic, loyalty, and honesty. You hear all the time that we don’t have the amenities of the big cities this is true they are just an hour or less away along with the crime and violence. I've raised three kids here and not once did I worry about their safety when it came to violent crime. Just to let others know what you already know from your visit, we do have restaurants, shopping, and entertainment here in the great start of Indiana and Connersville. You hear all the time about shovel ready, with the Connersville site we are labor ready and are excited to get started. Thank you for consideration and may the experience you witnessed in your visit consume your thoughts as you make your decision.
We are so excited and are still praying that your wonderful company will choose Connersville for their new plant. Even if you don't choose us we are very grateful that you gave us a chance. Please Come to Connersville we want you!
We would like to thank you for your time and consideration of our community for your plant. We offer a diverse skilled workforce that already knows the car industry. We are a hrd working community that has always worked hard and just want the opportunity to do so again.
My husband and I moved from Connersville when he lost his job at Visteon after twenty years. We now live in a town that has a large automotive manufacturing base and is only slightly affected by the economic downturn. I would have to say that experience has shown us that just because you live in a more prosperous community with more convenient access to highways, shopping, etc. it doesn't mean that it is the best place to locate a business. What we have seen in our new community is a workforce with an entitlement attitude and many rude people. We aren't used to this being raised in the Connersville community. Don't get me wrong, people can be selfish and rude anywhere but they just seem more appreciative in Indiana, especially Connersville. We have had a taste of the good life and just want a chance for that back. We would love to be able to come back to Connersville with the hope of a good job with a good company. I work for a foreign automaker and make great wages and live in a prospering community but would move back in a minute if I had a decent job in Indiana. This decision is about more than just the best proposals and who has the most money to get you started. It is about roots, community and longevity. Our history proves that Connersville is willing to put in the work to get the job done and done right.
As your decision time grows near, I would like to thank you for considering Connersville, Indiana as a site for Carbon Motors. During a time when the economy has been plummeting, and jobs have been leaving our community, it has been a pleasure to see our town come together in support of this venture. Regardless of your choice, I am proud to live in Connersville, and know that if you choose us, you will not be disappointed.
Mr. Li: Congratulations!! I just read your speech to the folks in Detroit. WOW!! It is so heart warming and exciting to see a man of your integrity to speak of the American spirit which has been silenced for such a long time. Americans have taken a back seat long enough. It's time to rise up and get the job done as only Americans can do. Your speech should be on every major news channel. With the attitude you and your associates have, you'd fit right in here in Connersville, Indiana. This is a very flag waving patiotic community. We look forward to the partnership of the American Company, Carbon Motors with the proud American City, Connersville, Indiana.
Thank you Carbon Motors for all you have done for Connersville, In. We hope you will come to our community. You and your staff will be a blessing. My neighbor told me a staff member told them "there is a lot of prayers in Connersville! There is a lot of Hope. Purdue College of Technology in Richmond and Connersville announced today they offer computer graphics technology, industrial technology, mechanical engineering technology and organizational leadership and supervision. How can you loose...please remember Connersville, In. Thank you.
Thank you from our community and now your community for selecting Connersville, this area and the state of Indiana. We are excited to get stated and proud to have the opportunity to build this vehicle. It is true that we needed the jobs this will provide, but what has greater impact is the positive impact it will give this community and the surrounding area which has been missing for many years. This is going to be a great ride for everyone of us to experience. Welcome and again from one hoosier to another thank you.
Today's paper (11/24) claimed to allow suggestions for ideas for Carbon Motors. I have a suggested idea for you that will benefit Carbon & Cville. Think about a "Police Car" Museum on display within Carbon Motors of Cville. The theme ties in with Carbon Motors & also offers a tourism opportunity to help the economy of Cville. Antique (classic) police cars would make an awesom attraction. Just a thought. All the best, from a Cville native.
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