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May 22, 2025
Slate Auto Excites Kosciusko County Officials, But Questions Remain
WARSAW — As the news surrounding electric vehicle startup Slate spread, so did the excitement of Kosciusko County authorities for the project.
For many, the automaker’s recent announcement to transform the old RR Donnelly printing plant into a new automotive plant meant employment, revitalizing major factories and diversifying the tax base in the region.
Kosciusko County Economic Development Company CEO Peggy Friday, worked with Slate, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and Phoenix Group — the company leasing the factory building — to bring Slate to Indiana.
Slate plans to start manufacturing Slate Truck, its main electric vehicle, at the factory next year. Slate’s lawyer told members of Kosciusko County Council that the company would spend more than $360 million on building restoration and installation of all advanced manufacturing facilities before manufacturing would start.
Board members have heard that the total number of jobs arriving in Warsaw will be 1,679.
Currently, Slate wants 10-year reduction in its real and personal property taxes that begin at 100% and is reduced by 10% each year.
However, even those who appreciate the scope of the project have concerns.
Dave Wolkins, a county councillor representing the district where the Slate factory is located, wondered just how successful Slate’s electric vehicles would be in the automotive market, especially considering that Pres. Donald Trump is against the current federal tax credit for electric vehicle buyers.
Wolkins is concerned about old SR 30 traffic. Another topic that worries him is how much the IEDC hasn’t revealed about the tax credits it’s giving Slate.
The IEDC transparency portal does not list a contract with Slate. Both Slate and KEDCO refused to disclose the details of IEDC’s tax cuts. Melanie Riley, Slate’s head of tax, said the only two IEDC credits currently guaranteed to the company are Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, tax credits. One is about $200,000, focused on employee education and training, and the other is EDGE salary credits.
On Thursday, May 8, the county council gave preliminary approval of the tax cut, but the final binding vote will take place at the June council meeting.
Kathy Groninger was the only councilor who did not vote in favor of the measure. She abstained from voting and did not respond to a request for an interview. Her husband, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, owns an area excavation and hauling company.
The president of the Kosciusko County Council, Tony Ciriello, said he was excited to come and diversify the county’s tax base, which currently heavily depends on orthopedics and agriculture.
Ciriello said traffic didn’t concern him, because the factory had employed thousands of workers at RR Donnelly in the past. As for the issue of tax cuts, he said what Slate is asking is in line with the standards the county has given to other companies in the past.
The recent layoffs at the Elkhart camper plant could influence changes in the labor market, but it is not yet clear where some 1,700 workers will come from.
Housing for new employees will also be an issue that the county should face. Peggy Friday said KEDCO is rising to meet expected demand, in a partnership with Club 720 to help customers pave the way for home ownership.
May 22, 2025
Slate Auto Excites Kosciusko County Officials, But Questions Remain
WARSAW — As the news surrounding electric vehicle startup Slate spread, so did the excitement of Kosciusko County authorities for the project.
For many, the automaker’s recent announcement to transform the old RR Donnelly printing plant into a new automotive plant meant employment, revitalizing major factories and diversifying the tax base in the region.
Kosciusko County Economic Development Company CEO Peggy Friday, worked with Slate, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and Phoenix Group — the company leasing the factory building — to bring Slate to Indiana.
Slate plans to start manufacturing Slate Truck, its main electric vehicle, at the factory next year. Slate’s lawyer told members of Kosciusko County Council that the company would spend more than $360 million on building restoration and installation of all advanced manufacturing facilities before manufacturing would start.
Board members have heard that the total number of jobs arriving in Warsaw will be 1,679.
Currently, Slate wants 10-year reduction in its real and personal property taxes that begin at 100% and is reduced by 10% each year.
However, even those who appreciate the scope of the project have concerns.
Dave Wolkins, a county councillor representing the district where the Slate factory is located, wondered just how successful Slate’s electric vehicles would be in the automotive market, especially considering that Pres. Donald Trump is against the current federal tax credit for electric vehicle buyers.
Wolkins is concerned about old SR 30 traffic. Another topic that worries him is how much the IEDC hasn’t revealed about the tax credits it’s giving Slate.
The IEDC transparency portal does not list a contract with Slate. Both Slate and KEDCO refused to disclose the details of IEDC’s tax cuts. Melanie Riley, Slate’s head of tax, said the only two IEDC credits currently guaranteed to the company are Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, tax credits. One is about $200,000, focused on employee education and training, and the other is EDGE salary credits.
On Thursday, May 8, the county council gave preliminary approval of the tax cut, but the final binding vote will take place at the June council meeting.
Kathy Groninger was the only councilor who did not vote in favor of the measure. She abstained from voting and did not respond to a request for an interview. Her husband, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, owns an area excavation and hauling company.
The president of the Kosciusko County Council, Tony Ciriello, said he was excited to come and diversify the county’s tax base, which currently heavily depends on orthopedics and agriculture.
Ciriello said traffic didn’t concern him, because the factory had employed thousands of workers at RR Donnelly in the past. As for the issue of tax cuts, he said what Slate is asking is in line with the standards the county has given to other companies in the past.
The recent layoffs at the Elkhart camper plant could influence changes in the labor market, but it is not yet clear where some 1,700 workers will come from.
Housing for new employees will also be an issue that the county should face. Peggy Friday said KEDCO is rising to meet expected demand, in a partnership with Club 720 to help customers pave the way for home ownership.
