Kentucky Governor ‘Doubtful’ On Harley Plant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Gov. Steve Beshear has expressed doubt that Kentucky will land a Harley-Davidson manufacturing plant.

The governor released a statement Thursday saying the potential for pulling off a deal with the company is "significantly diminished."

The company has been looking at a site in Shelbyville for a motorcycle plant that employs 2,500 people.

The governor has put lawmakers on notice that he might call them into special session in December to consider an incentive package for the company, which also had been looking at keeping the current plant in York, Pa..

Beshear said Kentucky recruiters would continue to court the company until a final decision is made.

The company had also been considering sites near Kansas City, Mo., plant; in Shelbyville, Ind.; and in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Talkback! Manufacturing.net is pleased to provide you an opportunity to share your opinions on any of the news stories or articles on our site. We reserve the right to edit/remove comments.
Viewing 3 User Comments	Add a Comment
Exhaust fumes cloud management decisions 11/20/2009 11:28:00 AM Executives at Harley Davidson, Milwaukee based headquarters found themselves at a loss during a board meeting to discuss their recent plants of closing and moving their manufacturing facilities. With the Company facing huge loses over a sales slump for their High-End Tractors, management pulled the Buell line and then thought spending money on new manufacturing plants would be a good idea. Investors balked and management pulled back and switched to selling more t-shirts, hats, beer mugs and key-chains with the company logo on them. "We make a ton of money off clothing" remarked Bill Swaymore - Marketing Directing of Apparel.
How can they? 11/20/2009 3:23:00 PM HD's over all game plan is in the toilet. Shuddering Buell? Not sure what sum gain that gets them, lost the sport/sport tour market. Lost the first time buyer. Lost the rider who goes from cradle to grave on a marque. LOST pretty much sums up their plan. These treats to move out of York, are just that, how can they afford to do that is the rest of their hard luck story is real?
KY Hardley Davidson 11/21/2009 12:22:00 PM This is just another attempt to avoid paying taxes and benefits by blackmailing their state and employees with the threat of moving. As long as companies can wrangle tax breaks and incentives from other states they will continue to move or threaten to move. Kentucky will do anything to bring in jobs, and so will most any state. It is a great time to be a successful buisness because you can do anything you want. Just look at all the fly-by-nite companies like Autoliv that just go from tax incentive to tax incentive leaving lost hope and shattered lives in their wake.

Subscribe | About Us | Feedback