We believe: Honda should be taking applications from all over Indiana, not just a select few counties.

When it was announced in 2006 that Honda would be building a major manufacturing plant in Greensburg, in Decatur County, the news was greeted with enthusiasm all over Indiana. After all, in a state that had been hemorrhaging auto manufacturing jobs, along were coming 2,000 new ones.

Then came the news Thursday that only those living in a select few counties — Madison not being one of them — would be eligible to apply. We’ve been down this road before, and we don’t like it.

Last fall, when IBM announced a major service and call center for a location in Daleville, we thought the addition of 800 new jobs would be good for Madison County, since Daleville is just across the county line. Then we heard that 75 percent of those jobs were earmarked for only Delaware County residents. We don’t understand these businesses’ rationale in such restrictive hiring practices, but it shuts out a lot of Indiana residents who would like to compete for those jobs.

When Toyota opened a factory in Princeton, applications went out statewide.

Checking with state officials, it seems that Honda is well within its rights to hire whoever it wants. Jane Jankowski, spokeswoman for Gov. Mitch Daniels, said as much, and added that it’s great that Honda is hiring Hoosiers.

Well, yes, but why some at the expense of others?

Anderson was once home to 32,000 auto manufacturing jobs. Some who have lost those jobs are not yet ready for retirement so could be eligible for a job at Honda. They have a great deal of experience to bring to an auto line.

A statement from Don Iannone, an economic development consultant in Ohio, said in other media reports that Honda was focusing on rural southeastern Indiana to avoid hiring workers who are sympathetic to organizing unions. Madison County, of course, has a long history with the United Auto Workers.

But counties in the hiring range — Fayette, Henry and Marion — have had their share of UAW jobs. Anyway, the once powerful UAW has only pockets of strength left in Indiana. It is not a major force.

Another reason given by Honda is commuting. Honda officials want to ensure a safe commute distance and think workers selling houses to move to the area would delay the start of production. Decatur County must be fat and happy and not need new residents, homebuyers and retail businesses. Anyway, people would gladly be in transition for those jobs and make living arrangements for them and their families while they work.

The rub to all this is the generous tax credits and the use of tax dollars for infrastructure improvements. The state may call Honda a private company that can do what it wants, but if it wasn’t for statewide taxpayers the company would be spending a lot more to get started.

We’re not trying to tell folks to leave Madison County, but it’s a slap in the face to exclude residents of our area.

It may be legal for Honda to restrict its hiring, but it’s unfair to the state as a whole. It could also be detrimental to Honda, which may never get the chance to hire qualified workers due to its nearsighted policy.