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Governor Rendell Says Pennsylvania is Committed to Keeping Harley-Davidson in York

Posted on: Friday, 22 May 2009, 10:39 CDT

Asks Top State Official to Meet with Company's CEO

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell, expressing a commitment to the future of Harley-Davidson's York plant, has directed his top economic development official to meet with the company's management and has put the full range of the state's economic development tools on the table.

In a letter yesterday to Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell, Governor Rendell noted the importance of the company's York manufacturing facility to the economy of south-central Pennsylvania and expressed his commitment to ensuring that the company remains a major employer in the region.

"I view it as an important role of state government, especially in these challenging times, to step up and support our industries, particularly those whose economic impact is so significant to the commonwealth," the Governor wrote in his letter. "For that reason, I have asked my Secretary of Community and Economic Development, George Cornelius, to meet with your management team in York to gain a thorough understanding of the issues confronted by that facility so that we can identify any means of support that we can provide."

Governor Rendell said he will consider the full range of Pennsylvania's economic development programs, including assistance towards plant upgrades, infrastructure improvements and support for worker training and re-training.

Harley-Davidson's plant in York, the company's largest manufacturing facility, covers more than 230 acres and includes more than 1.5 million square feet. It employs approximately 2,400 people.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The complete text of Governor Rendell's letter to Mr. Wandell is attached.

May 21, 2009

Keith E. Wandell

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

5757 North Green Bay Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53201

Dear Mr. Wandell:

Thank you for taking time to speak with me yesterday regarding the future of your firm's York, Pennsylvania plant. I would like to reiterate two important points from our discussion; first, how vitally important the Harley-Davidson plant is to the regional economy of south-central Pennsylvania and, secondly, how committed I am to doing everything in my power to ensure that your firm maintains its presence as a major employer in that region.

I certainly understand the impact of the current economic recession on your company and the difficult decisions that you must make to adjust to that impact. I am hopeful that we can work, along with Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, in partnership to address any issues that affect the competitive position of the York plant. As I stated, I am prepared to deploy all resources at my disposal including economic development assistance for plant upgrades and infrastructure improvements and support for worker training and re-training.

I view it as an important role of state government, especially in these challenging times, to step up and support our industries, particularly those whose economic impact is so significant to the Commonwealth. For that reason, I have asked my Secretary of Community and Economic Development, George Cornelius, to meet with your management team in York to gain a thorough understanding of the issues confronted by that facility so that we can identify any means of support that we can provide.

I look forward to ongoing communications with you as we work towards the common goal of making Harley-Davidson's York plant a productive and profitable asset to your firm and a major employment center in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Edward G. Rendell

Governor

CONTACT: Luke Webber (DCED) 717-783-1132 Chuck Ardo 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Source: PR Newswire

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