Crowd Turns Out for Navistar Rally

I hope that you were able to be a part of yesterday's rally to show support for keeping Navistar’s Truck Design and Technology Center and its more than 1,000 jobs in our city - but if not, here's a brief recap.  

The Chamber has been working with Mayor Tom Henry and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance to retain Navistar’s Fort Wayne operations while also exploring options for the Chicago-based company to expand here. Here's what each organization had to say:

“As mayor in these difficult times, I’m working every moment of every day to make Fort Wayne the kind of place where good jobs can grow and families can thrive. Navistar is a vital part of that equation. Navistar employees represent the kind of high-skill, high-wage jobs that will strengthen our local economy – and keep our community attractive and competitive long into the future.” -Mayor Henry

“With our mission to retain and expand jobs in Fort Wayne and Allen County, the Alliance is committed to Navistar's legacy. It is valuable to our community and beneficial to Navistar as well. We are a community that thrives in the advanced manufacturing and defense industries. We have talented engineers and a technical workforce here that allows many employers to succeed at a national and international level. -Andi Udris, President of the Alliance

“As Navistar makes its final decision, the Chamber is positioned to showcase the reason business is better when it’s done in Fort Wayne. With a highly affordable cost of doing business in Fort Wayne, we are the best choice for Navistar to stake its claim. In addition, the affordable cost of living provides an excellent and attractive place for Navistar employees to call home. Fort Wayne provides what very few communities can, an affordable yet growth-focused economic climate that allows for both Navistar and its employees to flourish.” -Mike Landram, President of the Chamber 

To find out more about local efforts to keep Navistar in Fort Wayne, visit www.navistay.com or become a Navistay fan on Facebook and follow the Navistay Twitter feed.