Honda Explores 3,000-Worker Hybrid Assembly Plant in Union County Under 'Project Sunrise'
Public filings detail a potential $2.5 billion manufacturing project in Liberty Township as state tax incentive and infrastructure reviews approach.
Public environmental filings submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency show Honda Development & Manufacturing of America is exploring a major automotive assembly plant in Union County that would employ approximately 3,000 workers and produce hybrid Honda and Acura vehicles Ohio EPA filing.
Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant in Union County sits immediately north of the proposed site for Project Sunrise.
Credit: Wiki Historian N OH / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Image source
Identified in regulatory filings as "Project Sunrise," the proposed complex would occupy roughly 300 acres in Liberty Township on land the automaker already owns regulatory filings. Although the state application outlines a multi-year construction schedule, a Honda spokesman confirmed the authenticity of the records while emphasizing that the company has not executed a final investment decision automaker spokesman.
Site Location and Operational Scope
According to the permit application submitted Wednesday, Oct. 7, the proposed industrial tract sits south of Rapp-Dean Road and west of Johnson Road proposed industrial tract. The parcel is situated immediately south of Honda's existing East Liberty Auto Plant and east of the Transportation Research Center test grounds, positioning the acreage directly between Honda's established vehicle assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty existing assembly plants.
In its submission to state regulators, the automaker outlined the core purpose of the project: "The proposed facility will be approximately 300 acres and manufacture hybrid Honda and Acura vehicles. It will be located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville production facilities and will employ approximately 3,000 people" proposed development. Under the preliminary timeline disclosed in the filing, physical construction could begin as early as January 2027 and conclude by December 2029 application.
While Honda has not formally confirmed the vehicle nameplates planned for the assembly lines, international reporting by Nikkei Asia, Reuters, and Automotive News has estimated the potential investment at $1.8 billion to $2.5 billion potential investment. Automotive News reported that the facility could assemble three large, three-row crossover utility vehicles, including the next-generation Acura MDX alongside two additional flagship sport-utility models for the Honda and Acura brands.
Corporate Status and Hybrid Strategy
Speculation regarding a new central Ohio manufacturing facility surfaced on Sept. 24, when the Marysville Journal-Tribune reported that Honda was evaluating Union County for a potential $2.5 billion assembly plant, with company representatives noting at the time that no final decision had been reached reported.
The emergence of Project Sunrise coincides with broader global product realignments by the automaker. On Friday, Oct. 9, Honda unveiled a worldwide corporate roadmap to introduce 15 next-generation hybrid vehicle models by March 31, 2030, directing most of those offerings toward North American drivers worldwide corporate roadmap.
Alongside that product schedule, Honda introduced its next-generation two-motor "Honda Hybrid" powertrain architecture, engineered to lower production costs and increase fuel efficiency across vehicle lines beginning in 2027 powertrain architecture.
Following public discovery of the regulatory submission, Honda representatives reiterated on Saturday, Oct. 10, that while the application reflects active site planning to support vehicle supply, company leadership has not formally committed capital to the project application reflects active site planning.
State Tax Incentive Review
Economic development specialists in central Ohio are watching state administrative proceedings for formal indicators of whether the project advances toward construction. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority is scheduled to hold its regular monthly public meeting on Monday, Oct. 26 scheduled to hold.
The independent five-member state board comprises the director of the Ohio Department of Development and four appointed members specializing in corporate taxation and commercial finance five-member state board, evaluating proposed state assistance agreements and monitoring statutory compliance reviews and approves tax incentives.
A core statutory mechanism administered by the panel is Ohio's Job Creation Tax Credit, a performance-based incentive that awards refundable tax credits calculated as a percentage of new payroll generated by qualifying jobs Job Creation Tax Credit. Large manufacturing ventures typically reach the authority after preliminary discussions involving JobsOhio, regional economic development entities, and state development staff.
As of Monday, Oct. 12, neither Honda nor state development agencies have announced an incentive agreement, and no state assistance package has been publicly identified for Project Sunrise no state assistance package.
Regional Transportation Improvements
The prospect of introducing 3,000 manufacturing workers to Liberty Township coincides with major state and local highway improvements moving toward completion across Union County's logistics network.
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 2 that state officials scheduled an Oct. 31 completion deadline for major highway resurfacing across southern Union County ODOT Schedules Oct. 31 Completion for $16.3M US 42 Rehabilitation.
Designated in state contract archives as State Project 250184, that $16.26 million undertaking administered by Shelly & Sands Inc. covers 4.92 miles of U.S. Route 42 extending to the Delaware County line State Project 250184. Sponsoring engineers with ODOT District 6 designed the resurfacing and roadbed rehabilitation utilizing highway safety funds to reinforce worn freight pavement, improve sightlines, and install modern safety markings.
Immediately adjacent, ODOT State Project 250263 is scheduled for contract completion on Sunday, Nov. 1 State Project 250263. That $7.96 million project, contracted to The Shelly Company, widens the intersection of U.S. 42 and Industrial Parkway to five lanes and adds dedicated turning lanes toward U.S. Route 33, expanding corridor freight capacity near Marysville and East Liberty.
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How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://marysvillematters.substack.com/p/honda-location-confirmed-as-company
Supporting evidence (11)
Public environmental filings submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency show Honda Development & Manufacturing of America is exploring a major automotive assembly plant in Union County that would employ approximately 3,000 workers and produce hybrid Honda and Acura vehicles Ohio EPA filing.
Read supporting passage
Honda has confirmed an Ohio EPA filing identifying about 300 acres in Liberty Township, Union County, as the proposed site for a major new manufacturing plant that would produce hybrid Honda and Acura vehicles and employ 3,000 people.
Identified in regulatory filings as "Project Sunrise," the proposed complex would occupy roughly 300 acres in Liberty Township on land the automaker already owns regulatory filings.
Read supporting passage
The proposed facility, identified as “Project Sunrise,” would be located immediately south of Honda’s existing East Liberty Auto Plant and east of the Transportation Research Center, between Honda’s two existing Ohio assembly plants.
Although the state application outlines a multi-year construction schedule, a Honda spokesman confirmed the authenticity of the records while emphasizing that the company has not executed a final investment decision automaker spokesman.
Read supporting passage
Marysville Matters independently located the application through the Ohio EPA’s public records search system. A Honda spokesman later confirmed its authenticity, emphasizing that the company has not made a final decision on the investment.
According to the permit application submitted Wednesday, Oct. 7, the proposed industrial tract sits south of Rapp-Dean Road and west of Johnson Road proposed industrial tract.
Read supporting passage
The proposed location is south of Rapp-Dean Road and west of Johnson Road in Liberty Township.
The parcel is situated immediately south of Honda's existing East Liberty Auto Plant and east of the Transportation Research Center test grounds, positioning the acreage directly between Honda's established vehicle assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty existing assembly plants.
Read supporting passage
The proposed facility, identified as “Project Sunrise,” would be located immediately south of Honda’s existing East Liberty Auto Plant and east of the Transportation Research Center, between Honda’s two existing Ohio assembly plants.
It will be located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville production facilities and will employ approximately 3,000 people" proposed development.
Read supporting passage
“The proposed facility will be approximately 300 acres and manufacture hybrid Honda and Acura vehicles. It will be located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville production facilities and will employ approximately 3,000 people.”
Under the preliminary timeline disclosed in the filing, physical construction could begin as early as January 2027 and conclude by December 2029 application.
Read supporting passage
According to the application submitted Wednesday, construction could begin in January 2027 and conclude by December 2029.
While Honda has not formally confirmed the vehicle nameplates planned for the assembly lines, international reporting by Nikkei Asia, Reuters, and Automotive News has estimated the potential investment at $1.8 billion to $2.5 billion potential investment.
Read supporting passage
The potential investment is estimated at $1.8 billion to $2.5 billion, according to reporting by Nikkei Asia, Reuters, and Automotive News.
On Friday, Oct. 9, Honda unveiled a worldwide corporate roadmap to introduce 15 next-generation hybrid vehicle models by March 31, 2030, directing most of those offerings toward North American drivers worldwide corporate roadmap.
Read supporting passage
Honda announced Friday that it plans to introduce 15 next-generation hybrid models worldwide by March 2030, with most aimed at North American customers.
Alongside that product schedule, Honda introduced its next-generation two-motor "Honda Hybrid" powertrain architecture, engineered to lower production costs and increase fuel efficiency across vehicle lines beginning in 2027 powertrain architecture.
Read supporting passage
The Japanese automaker also unveiled its next-generation gasoline-electric technology, called Honda Hybrid, which will begin appearing in new vehicles in 2027.
Following public discovery of the regulatory submission, Honda representatives reiterated on Saturday, Oct. 10, that while the application reflects active site planning to support vehicle supply, company leadership has not formally committed capital to the project application reflects active site planning.
Read supporting passage
Marysville Matters independently located the application through the Ohio EPA’s public records search system. A Honda spokesman later confirmed its authenticity, emphasizing that the company has not made a final decision on the investment.
https://www.marysvillejt.com/2026/09/24/new-honda-plant-coming-union-county/
Supporting evidence (1)
Speculation regarding a new central Ohio manufacturing facility surfaced on Sept. 24, when the Marysville Journal-Tribune reported that Honda was evaluating Union County for a potential $2.5 billion assembly plant, with company representatives noting at the time that no final decision had been reached reported.
Read supporting passage
Honda officials said there has been no decision yet on whether or not a new $2.5-billion facility is coming to the area, but sources indicate the end result could be good news for the local economy.
https://marysvillematters.substack.com/p/why-oct-26-could-be-an-important
Supporting evidence (5)
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority is scheduled to hold its regular monthly public meeting on Monday, Oct. 26 scheduled to hold.
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That’s when the Ohio Tax Credit Authority is expected to hold its next meeting, which could offer another clue about the project's future.
The independent five-member state board comprises the director of the Ohio Department of Development and four appointed members specializing in corporate taxation and commercial finance five-member state board, evaluating proposed state assistance agreements and monitoring statutory compliance reviews and approves tax incentives.
Read supporting passage
The independent board includes the director of the Ohio Department of Development and four appointed members with expertise in economic development and taxation.
The independent five-member state board comprises the director of the Ohio Department of Development and four appointed members specializing in corporate taxation and commercial finance five-member state board, evaluating proposed state assistance agreements and monitoring statutory compliance reviews and approves tax incentives.
Read supporting passage
The five-member state board reviews and approves tax incentives offered to companies that promise to create jobs and make significant investments in Ohio.
A core statutory mechanism administered by the panel is Ohio's Job Creation Tax Credit, a performance-based incentive that awards refundable tax credits calculated as a percentage of new payroll generated by qualifying jobs Job Creation Tax Credit.
Read supporting passage
One of its primary tools is Ohio’s Job Creation Tax Credit, a performance-based incentive tied to the payroll generated by new jobs.
As of Monday, Oct. 12, neither Honda nor state development agencies have announced an incentive agreement, and no state assistance package has been publicly identified for Project Sunrise no state assistance package.
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Honda has not announced a final decision on the proposed plant, and no state incentive package has been publicly identified.
ODOT Schedules Oct. 31 Completion for $16.3M US 42 Rehabilitation
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 2 that state officials scheduled an Oct. 31 completion deadline for major highway resurfacing across southern Union County ODOT Schedules Oct. 31 Completion for $16.3M US 42 Rehabilitation.
Read supporting passage
ODOT Schedules Oct. 31 Completion for $16.3M US 42 Rehabilitation
Supporting evidence (1)
Route 42 extending to the Delaware County line State Project 250184.
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STATE_PROJECT_NBR: 250184
Supporting evidence (1)
Immediately adjacent, ODOT State Project 250263 is scheduled for contract completion on Sunday, Nov. 1 State Project 250263.
Read supporting passage
STATE_PROJECT_NBR: 250263