Bezos-backed EV company Slate to make Michiana a manufacturing hub 

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind.-- The Jeff Bezos-backed electric vehicle company, Slate, is looking to make Michiana its home for manufacturing.

Slate Automotive is a brand-new company that's looking to make affordable and fully customizable electric vehicle pickup trucks. It has a beta facility in Troy, Michigan, but it's looking at a site just outside Warsaw for its first manufacturing hub.

"It is the former RR Donnelly plant," said Peggy Friday, CEO of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, KEDCO. "It is where the Sears catalog was printed in its day, the JCPenney catalog. The major brand catalogs were all printed in Warsaw."

Now, those 1.5 million square feet of building space lie vacant, but could become home to Slate.

"Slate's decision to come here, I think the location was perfect," Friday said. "It was central in the United States, but also, I think that they realized that the workforce was here, we know that with the orthopedic industry."

The company, backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is promising to rehab the facilities to meet its needs and employ at least 1,600 workers when the factory opens.

In total, the investment from Slate looks to be about $363 million, according to a representative at the May 8 Kosciusko Council meeting.

ABC57's Annie Kate asked locals about their thoughts on the plans. Most of the feedback was positive, like from Erica Deuel, manager at Generous Coffee in Warsaw.

"We're really excited," Deuel said. "I think the potential of jobs that it will open up for citizens here, as well as just bringing in new people to work, to live, and play in this community, is a great asset."

And like Micah Hall, who lives in Pierceton and works in Warsaw.

"I think it's exciting, I think it's a great opportunity for jobs around here, I think it's really cool," Hall said. "I think Slate is a really interesting company. The fact that they're doing EVs but also making cars minimal and bringing that sort of thing back to the economy, I think that's really cool, it's really important."

But not everyone likes the idea, like Warsaw resident Michael Braddock, who doesn’t like the shift toward electric vehicles at all.

"I really think that it's not necessary," Braddock said. "I'm not a real fan of the battery electric deal. I just think they need to do better."

Still, if all approvals go through, Slate is looking to get off the ground fast, starting operations next year.

"I think it will bring a lot of good to the community," Hall said.

Slate is seeking a tax incentives package from Kosciusko County, including two 10-year tax abatements, one for real estate and one for personal property.

The council passed the preliminary declaratory resolution setting those in motion, but there is a public hearing about the plans to bring Slate here, along with all those tax incentives, at the June 12th Kosciusko County Council meeting starting at 6 p.m at the Kosciusko County courthouse.