Top prizes: major economic-development projects of the past year.

• Author: Mayer, Kathy
• Position: Build Indiana

DAIMLERCHRYSLER

Kokomo

$500 million

Yet another expansion at DaimlerChrysler is underway, this one a 600,000-square-foot, $500 million building on the same complex as its new transmission plant, which cost $1 billion. The new facility opens late this year and will house production of a new transmission line.

"These will be five-speed Mercedes transmissions, with the initial volume going into Chrysler products," says Jim Mullins, senior manager for human relations in Kokomo. "These new transmissions are being made here because we have a proven track record in Kokomo for an excellent workforce and high-quality transmissions. We have been able to retain all our transmission business here."

The company employs about 9,000 in Howard County. The new plant will help the company maintain current employment levels, he said.

"This additional investment says a lot about the community and our workforce," says Greg Aaron, president of the Kokomo/Howard County Development Corp. "It's huge. It's fantastic for Howard County and the surrounding counties. It really helps our economy all the way around."

STEEL DYNAMICS

Columbia City

$315 million

Expected soon in Whitley County: The opening of Indiana-based Steel Dynamics Inc.'s $315 million mini steel mill on 440 acres. In April, the company did its first melt-and-cast trial at the mill, under construction since last June.

Steel Dynamics will employ about 300 at the site and is expected to produce up to 1.3 tons a year, depending on the mix of products. It's the second Indiana mini-mill for the company founded in 1993. Operations at its Butler plant, which produces 2.4 million tons a year, began in 1996.

GE PLASTICS MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon

$100 million

GE Plastics Mount Vernon in Posey County will benefit from $100 million in new investments this year. On tap: $21 million in new-product development facilities; $19 million to improve production processes; $17 million in new equipment; $14 million for new product research and development; and $29 million in environmental, health and safety improvements.

The company operates four plastics businesses on its Mount Vernon campus, employing about 1,300. It makes hard, optically clear plastics and heat-resistant plastics, supplying automotive, technology and other businesses worldwide. Examples of end uses include compact discs and digital versatile discs, made with Lexan, a GE Plastics brand.

ELI LILLY & CO.

Greenfield

$74 million

A new biology lab, records...