Trump hints Carrier might stay in Indianapolis

President-elect Donald Trump spent at least part of his Thanksgiving trying to convince Carrier Corp. to keep its Indianapolis plant open.

Trump on Thursday hinted that he's "making progress" toward a campaign pledge of reversing Carrier Corp.'s plan to shutter its Indianapolis operations and relocate jobs to Mexico by 2019.

"I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S. (Indiana)," Trump said in a Twitter post. "MAKING PROGRESS - Will know soon!"

The Connecticut-based air conditioning maker issued its own statement on Twitter, acknowledging that it has been in discussions with Trump's administration. Carrier did not describe the nature of those talks.

"Carrier has had discussions with the incoming administration and we look forward to working together," Carrier said on Twitter. "Nothing to announce at this time."

Carrier earlier this year announced that it would close its Westside plant by 2019, laying off 1,400 workers. They layoffs are scheduled to begin next year. Carrier has said it will move those jobs to Monterrey, Mexico.

Trump campaigned, in part, on keeping manufacturing jobs in America and punishing companies that move work outside the U.S. Trump made a particular example of Carrier, saying he would "tax the hell" out of the company if it followed through on its plan. Trump in the spring said he could persuade Carrier to stay in Indianapolis.

"You’re going to bring it across the border, and we’re going to charge you a 35 percent tax," Trump said in April. "Now within 24 hours, they’re going to call back: 'Mr. President, we’ve decided to stay. We’re coming back to Indianapolis.' "

Carrier already has taken several steps toward moving its Indianapolis operations to Mexico. The company has reached a severance agreement with workers, agreed to repay the city $1.2 million for past tax breaks and refunded $380,000 to the state for grants.

Carrier is owned by United Technologies Corp., which is a government contractor.

Gov. Mike Pence, who is Trump's vice president-elect, already took a shot at changing Carrier's plans. Pence met with Carrier in March. Although he was unsuccessful at convincing Carrier to remain in Indianapolis, Pence urged the company to repay state and city incentives it had received.

Call IndyStar reporter James Briggs at (317) 444-6307. Follow him on Twitter: @JamesEBriggs.