Rendell working on offer to keep York, Pa., Harley plant

HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says he’s working on a package of state aid designed to prevent Harley Davidson Inc. from closing its motorcycle assembly plant in York.

The governor said today the company’s president and other executives told him during a Wednesday meeting that they’ll decide by mid-September whether to move operations to some other state.

Rendell says Harley is being actively courted by three other states and essentially needs a new plant in order to remain in York.

He’s also planning to contact union leaders at the plant to see if work rules at the factory can be modified.

Milwaukee-based Harley has been cutting jobs this year as sales of its products have fallen drastically.