WAKARUSA — Electric Motors Corporation hosted a Green Summit during its dedication ceremony for its new home in Wakarusa. EMC's CEO Wil Cashen was there. He answered questions about receiving grants and loans and going green.

It took a few tries but Wil Cashen managed to crack the bottle of champagne during the Electric Motors Corporation's dedication of its Indiana home in Wakarusa, in the former DeMartini building.

Cashen is leading the push to transform Northern Indiana from the RV capital to the world leader in green technology.

But the road ahead won't be easy.

"We have applied for $300 million in loans and grants," said Cashen. "We have everybody calling, talking and asking questions to try and get the money released."

Cashen remains optimistic.

"We're on a mission from God," Cashen said.

During Ball State's Green Summit, President Jo Ann Gora says hope is spreading.

"We believe there's economic benefit to being environmentally sensitive," said Gora.

Cashen hopes green technology will change the automotive industry.

"We're focused on making a vehicle that has improved economy greatly, improved fuel economy," said Cashen.

Hope is also catching on with the panel of speakers, vendors and local leaders.

"Certainly we are embracing that," said Larry Thompson, Mayor of Nappanee.

Thompson believes the green revolution is the catalyst to producing more jobs and opportunities.

"It gives all of our unemployed people hope," he said. "We see the light at the end of the tunnel, which, prior to EMC being here, it was pretty doom and gloom."

"We think it's going to be a great job creator and we're very excited about it," said Tom Roeder, Wakarusa's town manager.

"We want people to realize the economic green as well as the environmental green," said Gora.

Cashen says he recognizes those benefits, throughout Northern Indiana, more and more.

"Every day, people tell us, 'We're behind you,'" said Cashen. "Doors are opening."

Cashen mentioned there were talks and negotiations with General Motors about products and bringing opportunities to Northern Indiana. Details on those discussions will not be released until they become official.