Local reaction positive to new engine plant
The announcement that Dundee was chosen as the site for a second Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant was the culmination of a lot of work by state, county and village officials.

“We’ve been busy. We had a lot of negotiation for the last three weeks,” said Village Manager Patrick Burtch. “[Village Attorney] Tom Russow and I probably put in 150 individual man hours negotiating with DaimlerChrylser. But unlike a lot of negotiations, where one side comes out on top, we both feel it was a win-win situation.”

Mr. Burtch said the most positive thing about the development is that it will mean even lower tax millages for Dundee property owners.

“We have prepared a budget for this year with a mill lower in tax without decreasing services. To me, that’s what government’s about. Some communities would be looking around for things to spend money on. We think keeping 10-15% of it is still a windfall and the rest should be shared back with the residents in the form of lower taxes,” said Mr. Burtch.

“I’m excited,” said Village President Jim Roe. “We have meetings on top of meetings. The company had good offers, but having the first plant here helped us. The state was very easy to work with.”

Dundee School Board President Vince Goff said, “I think it’s excellent news. It will bring an awful lot of well paying jobs for people in the area. I fear the resulting growth might strain the school system a little bit, but that remains to be seen.”

Dundee High School juniors and seniors were invited to the announcement and they were excited about the news.

“Hopefully we can get jobs so we don’t have to move way to some foreign land,” said Cyril Hajdu.

“It will be good to have a car-making factory here,” said Nick Alexander. Maybe I can work there.”

Twin brothers Harold and Gerald Rothman, juniors, also were glad to hear about the plant.
“It will be nice to have a place with high-paying jobs,” said Gerald. I’d like to drive a hi-lo or forklift there.” His brother added, “I want to get in there so bad.”

County officials also are glad of the new plant.

“I think we’ve been stressing economic development for a long time and we’re seeing it come to roost,” said Commissioner Lehr Roe.

“We had the first phase, and the second phase was very competitive,” said Commissioner Dale Zorn. “The company liked what they saw here and did what they had to do politically at other sites to get it here. It will provide a good economic boost to the county, which has an unemployment rate of seven percent now. This will certainly help that, plus the new plants in Frenchtown Township.”