Enerdel Closure in Anderson Indiana: Continuing 30 Years of Economic Devastation

The recent closure of the EnerDel Inc. plant in Anderson, Indiana is a tragic tale of economic looting that has ravaged the Midwest over the past three decades. The closure of the plant brings back memories of other plant closures, like that of Delphi in Anderson, which have devastated not only families but also local economies.

Delphi first came to Anderson, Indiana in 1984 and became one of the biggest employers in the region. Over the next three decades, however, the company gradually shed jobs and eventually closed its doors in 2010. The loss of Delphi jobs had a devastating impact on the community, with 25,000 jobs lost at the factory and throughout the region.

Similarly, the EnerDel plant closure has removed a critical source of employment from the Anderson area, with most of the company's roughly 150 employees losing their jobs. This has resulted in devastating economic consequences for the local community.

The EnerDel plant closure has not only affected the immediate families of the workers that were laid off, but has also had repercussions throughout the entire region. For instance, small businesses that relied on the purchasing power of the EnerDel employees are now struggling, and the ripple effect can be felt across sectors of the economy.

The loss of the EnerDel plant also has significant implications for the automotive and battery industries of the United States. The plant produced lithium-ion batteries, which are critical for powering electric vehicles--a sector that holds much promise for the future of the automotive industry. However, the closure of the plant could signal a larger problem in an industry that has yet to find its footing in the U.S.

This situation is an example of the larger challenge the U.S. faces when it comes to competing with foreign battery producers. China and South Korea have made massive investments in lithium-ion battery production, which has resulted in their ability to beat U.S. manufacturers on price and innovation.

The United States needs to create more favorable policies for domestic battery manufacturers to become more competitive globally. For instance, incentivizing investments in battery manufacturing capabilities could be achieved through the use of favorable government subsidies and tax incentives, as well as supporting the research and development of these technologies.

The closure of the EnerDel plant in Anderson, Indiana is a tragedy, and the broader economic consequences of plant closures across the Midwest cannot be ignored. Areas already struggling to compete during a time of economic shift must take action to bolster their existing industries and simultaneously seek out new ones. If we make the appropriate investments and incentivize the right behaviours, the U.S. can regain control of these vital industries and perhaps someday serve as an inspiration to other economies looking to do the same.