INDIANAPOLIS -- Experts say Honda's announcement that it will build a $500 million plant in Greensburg is expected to bring a ripple effect that will have wide-ranging positive impacts on Indiana's economy.

A higher tax base, ancillary new jobs and potentially better deals on Honda vehicles are a few of the possible benefits.

Economic experts said Gov. Mitch Daniels' hard work and Indiana's reputation won over Honda executives.

Indiana leads the nation in several key transportation areas, and the state is reaping the rewards of being good at supply management.

"It's trucking. It's all the support that plant needs. It's air conditioning. It's supplies. It's everything that plant needs to run is going to be in our economy," said Matt Will, of the University of Indianapolis School of Business.

Industries such as housing and retail will also benefit, bringing what could be as much as an additional $2 billion into the state's economy.

"If you're talking 1,500 jobs, you might see as many as 6,000 in the state overall," Will said.

Most of the jobs will be high paying, for highly skilled positions. Many of them will be in transportation and support services. Indiana leads the country in the number of highway miles logged each year. Indianapolis International Airport ranks seventh in North America for cargo tonnage.

The new plant could also bring good news to consumers in the market for a new Honda vehicle.

With 200,000 new cars coming out of the plant each year, supplies will increase on whatever model the plant builds, giving shoppers some bargaining power.