Before we get too worked up about a Harley plant in Murfreesboro, consider this: Profits at the iconic motorcycle manufacturer are down two-thirds over the past three years, which means that Harley's slide pre-dates the market crash in September 2008.
OK, we have that out of the way. Now consider this: How many people do you  know who are Harley owners? If you do, is that Harley owner under 50 years of age?
Because, like Harley's main York, Pennsylvania plant, Harley owners are aging. And Harley hasn't figured out how to replace them. We're just sayin'...
So the news that Murfreesboro is one of three sites under consideration for a plant that would replace the aging York plant is cause for some optimism. Just don't give away the store. Not to an outfit whose long-term health is filled with serious questions.