Desperate for Jobs, Three Communities Embrace a Bold Electric Vehicle Promise: Questions Arise as Promised Jobs Fail to Materialize
In the face of economic struggles and a lack of job opportunities, three communities in the United States made a bold and hopeful decision to embrace a promising new industry – electric vehicles. With the promise of a sustainable and booming market, these communities eagerly welcomed the prospect of new jobs and a brighter future. However, as time passed and the promised jobs failed to materialize, questions began to arise, leaving these communities wondering what went wrong.
The three communities in question – Greenfield, Ohio; Moraine, Ohio; and Anderson, Indiana – were all once thriving manufacturing hubs that suffered a significant decline in jobs and economic stability. In search of a solution, they turned to electric vehicle company Workhorse Group, which promised to bring much-needed employment opportunities to these struggling areas. The company’s plan was to produce electric delivery vans and trucks at former General Motors plants in Moraine and Anderson, while also establishing a new plant in Greenfield.
The initial excitement and hope were palpable as the communities eagerly awaited the arrival of the promised jobs. In Greenfield, the local government even went as far as to offer Workhorse Group a $1.5 million loan to help fund the new plant. The anticipation and optimism were understandable, as the electric vehicle industry has been on the rise in recent years, with a growing demand for more environmentally friendly transportation options.
However, as time went by, the promised jobs failed to materialize, and the communities were left with more questions than answers. In Moraine, the former GM plant was purchased by Workhorse Group in 2019, but the company has yet to start production or hire any employees. Similarly, in Anderson, the company has not yet begun production or hired any employees, despite purchasing the plant in 2019 as well. In Greenfield, the promised plant has yet to be built, leaving the community wondering if it will ever come to fruition.
This lack of progress has left the three communities feeling disappointed and frustrated. The initial excitement and hope have turned into uncertainty and doubt. In a statement to the media, Greenfield Mayor Brenda Losey expressed her concerns, saying, “We were very hopeful that this would bring a lot of jobs to our community, and we’re still hopeful, but we don’t have a lot of answers.”
The lack of answers from Workhorse Group has only added to the communities’ frustration. The company has been vague in its responses, citing delays due to the pandemic and the need for additional funding. However, these explanations have not satisfied the communities, who are eager to see the promised jobs come to fruition.
The situation has also raised questions about the viability of the electric vehicle industry in these communities. With the promised jobs failing to materialize, some are questioning if the industry is truly as booming as it seems. Others are concerned that the delay in production may be a reflection of the company’s financial stability.
Despite these uncertainties, there is still hope that the promised jobs will eventually come to fruition. Workhorse Group recently received a $70 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, which will help fund the production of its electric delivery vans. The company has also stated that it plans to start production in Moraine and Anderson in 2021, with the Greenfield plant following shortly after.
The communities are holding onto this glimmer of hope, as they are in desperate need of new job opportunities. However, they are also calling for more transparency and communication from Workhorse Group. The lack of information and delays have caused frustration and disappointment, and the communities deserve to know the truth about the situation.
In the end, the promise of new jobs in the electric vehicle industry brought a much-needed ray of hope to these struggling communities. However, as time passes and the promised jobs fail to materialize, questions and doubts have arisen. It is now up to Workhorse Group to deliver on its promises and provide these communities with the much-needed economic boost they were promised. Until then, the three communities will continue to wait, hoping for a brighter and more prosperous future.
