New Honda plant expands on nearly 50-year presence in Marysville
Data: Honda ; Chart: Andrew King/Axios Honda's Central Ohio presence is set to grow, with the next major project in Marysville set to continue a local legacy that has carried on for decades. Why it matters: Honda has contributed to a population and economic boom in surrounding communities over the past 50 years. Driving the news: The international manufacturer announced Monday it will invest $3 billion into a new auto plant near its existing facilities that will create 2,000 jobs and build 240,000 vehicles per year. Honda plans for production to start in 2029. Flashback: It's the next in a decades-long line of Buckeye State projects that began in 1977, when the company announced a $35 million motorcycle plant in Marysville — the first U.S. auto plant by a Japanese automaker. Marysville's population has since grown from around 7,000 in the late 1970s to over 30,000 . By the numbers: The region and state have seen massive impacts from Honda's investments : 4,400 employees create a production capacity of 220,000 vehicles per year. 15,000 employees statewide . $5.5 billion has been invested in the existing plant. $15 million to Ohio State's new Battery Cell R&D Center and $132 million total
