By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsa

WARSAW — Dream a little dream.

And then fast forward to a year from now, when Slate Auto pickups begin rolling off the assembly line in Warsaw, and then ask yourself a simple question:

How many people will be motoring around Warsaw in a Slate?

Exactly how well the company will do nationally remains an open question, but based on the level of interest seen over the past three days, it appears many area residents have an open mind.

On Friday, several hundred turned out for a close-up look at several Slate prototypes on display in front of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

It was the third day of a high-profile series of events involving Slate in Kosciuko County — a coordinated effort aimed at endearing the community to its newest corporate partner, which plans to invest some $383 million in a new production plant west of the city that will add 2,000 jos to the local economy.

On Wednesday, nearly 450 people packed the Oawood Event Center in Syracuse for KEDCO's annual dinner that featured Slate CEO Chris Barmanspeak in her first public address since the company announced in April plans to renovate the old RR Donnelly plant into an automobile manufacturing facility.

A day later, the company celebrated its arrival with a gathering at its Old Road 30 facility and offered tours to guests.

Slate's goal is to shake up the auto industry by being the first American automaker to offer electric vehicles that start around $25,000, and is doing so by producing stripped-down "Blank Slates" that are ready to go and can be customized and enhanced in numerous different ways.

The Michigan-based company is enticing interest by relying in part on an online "configurator" that allows anyone to look at the different variations that will be available.

Warsaw resident David Driscoll, 30, got his first glimpse of the product on Friday at the block party

“I’ve been seeing them all over the internet (and) have been to the configurator multiple times, so this is the first time I’ve seen one in person," Driscoll said while standing in a crowd of onlookers quietly gazing at the models.

He said he was impressed with the way Slate has introduced itself to the community while also creating a buzz.

Asked what his thoughts are on the EV concept, he added, “I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, but I’m open to the idea.”

He said he wants to learn more about the cost of building upon the “Blank Slate.”

The company said they’ve already lined up 100,000 people who have put down $50 to reserve a vehicle.

“I will be curious to see how many people actually pull the trigger on that,” Driscoll said.

Jocelyn Fischer, an experiential marketing manager for Slate, said Friday's event exceeded expectations.

"I love it that this many people show up. What a turnout!" she said.

The company will continue to rev up interest.

"We have a lot in store coming up, Fischer said.

“We’ll continue our road shows, we’ll announce some partnerships coming up and we’ll be all over the country,” Fischer said.

[caption id="attachment_117985" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Two spectators take a look under the hood of a Slate, which has a storage compartment rather than an engine block. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_117971" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Slate Auto's block party on Friday was the second of many planned events organized to publicize the automaker across the United States. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_117973" align="aligncenter" width="675"] The block party included two food vendors, including 110 Craft Meatery. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_117972" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Friday's event attracted several hundred people. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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WARSAW — The first concrete signs of the massive reindustrialization of Kosciusko County's biggest blighted property were on full display Thursday at Slate Auto’s future electric vehicle plant.

Months after the electric vehicle start-up announced plans to enter the US auto market, the company opened its doors to showcase the frist signs of progress to parts of the 1.4 million square foot property.

[caption id="attachment_117831" align="alignright" width="420"] Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose shares a hug with Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman at the end of his address Thursday at the Slate Auto plant in Warsaw for what was the first celebratory event since the company announced plans to open a facility in Indiana in April. New Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spaling.[/caption]

Dozens of guests were given extensive tours of some of the multiple buildings along Old Road 30 that arre being transformed from a regional catago printing center into a state-of-the-art electric pickup truck plant. 

The company is currently working to retrofit many of the buildings — an extensive effort that will see many interior walls removed and floor resurfaced.

The tours offered a glimpse into the future but also served as another example of how the company continues to embrace the community.

One of the tour guides who worked for decades for RR Donnelley and Sons (and then LSC Communications after it was sold), said he thought he was headed toward retirement just a few months ago.

That didn’t last long.

“My name is Tom Stoneburner, I’m the senior electrical engineer with Slate. I started here in April of this year. I’ve been with RR Donnelley and LSC Communitycation for the last 43 years or so ... I’ve lost count.  

Meanwhile, company officials and community leaders celebrated for the first time the company's plans to open the plant, which was announced in April.

The company plans to hire upward of 2,000 for the Warsaw facility and has already begun hiring some.

A chance to learn more about hiring opportunities happens Friday night when the company hosts a block party in downtown Warsaw from 5 to 7 p.m.

Guest speakers at Thursday's event included Congressman Rudy Yakym and Warsaw Mayor Jeff Gros, whose father, Frank Grose, was a longtime employee at Donnelley's.

Yakym talked about the dramatic financial impact of the new auto maker in Kosciusko County.

"Today, as we’re celebrating a new chapter in American manufacturing, Slate Auto is investing $383.5 million right here in Indiana. They’ll be creating more than 2,100 new jobs and sparking new opportunities for Hoosier families, Yakym said.

Grose talked about the property's legacy

Whether you realize it or not, the rain this morning is part of this very electrifying event,” Grose said.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s washing away an absolutely incredible history and impact this plant has had on this community,” he said.

Grose credits his father's decision to move from a career in law enforcement to the printing plant for helping set the stage for his own future success.

In an emotional moment, the company said it will honor the late Kosciusko County Councilman Mike Long for his role in helping bring Slate to the county by establishing a memorial bench on the property.

Long was a key negotiator for the county in the early stages as local leaders worked to lure the company to Warsaw.

Long was ecstatic about progress being made with the company but died unexpectedly in an accident on his farm in February, midway through ongoing talks.

On Thursday, members of Long's family were recognized at the event.

Hanna Troy, one of Long's daughters, said they never expected such a gesture.

"What they did, I think, was above and beyond what I would expect them to do for any person," Troy said. "That just showed me the impact my dad had on the company, on the  community, on the county 

She said her father was excited about the opportunities being mapped out, but that he never shared details with family because negotiations were still a secret.

Long had told some people that he wanted to be the first person to buy one of the pickups.

“We knew something was happening, but we didn’t know what it was. So finding out what it was surprised me, honestly, being a diesel-loving farmer, that he was so interested in electric trucks."

The post Slate celebrates arrival, spotlights factory tranformation with tours appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Slate Auto plans to begin manufacturing electric pick-ups in Warsaw in 2026, but right now, the Michigan-based start-up is focused on creating local enthusiasm and goodwill.

The company has three events coming up at the end of August that will culminate with a block party in downtown Warsaw.

Activities include:

• [caption id="attachment_116234" align="alignright" width="218"] Chris Barman[/caption]

  Chris Barman, CEO of Slate Auto, will be the keynote speaker at the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation's annual dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Syracuse. Baman earned her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University before receiving a master's degree from the University of Michigan and is seen as one of the few top female executives in the auto industry.

• On the following day, company leaders and local officials will speak at what’s being billed as a "sneak peek" of its facility (the old RR Donnelly plant on Old Road 30). Guided tours will be available for guests.
• Slate will then host a block party from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 29, on Center Street in front of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

Details of the block party were announced Friday by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, which sought approval for a street closure by the city board of works for the event.

Slate announced earlier this year plans to open the facility in Warsaw and hire around 1,700 people as it plans to manufacture EVs that will sell for much less than the current price of an electric vehicle in the United States.

Slate also helped sponsor Winona Lake's fireworks display for the Fourth of July celebration, one of several efforts that point to attempts to build goodwill in the community.

The post Block party one of three events planned by Slate Auto appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

• A lineup of 10 live performances from incredible local talent, hosted by Ben Higgins
• Hot coffee and icy treats are available for purchase
• Free kids' crafts and youth art vendors
• A relaxed, bring-your-own-picnic atmosphere—grab takeout from one of our amazing downtown restaurants and enjoy an evening of connection, creativity, and community

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