Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and officials from the Toyota Motor Co. announced Feb. 27 that the company had chosen Blue Springs as the home of its eighth North American assembly plant.The $1.3 billion plant will be located just outside Tupelo on a 1,700-acre site, the officials said in a press conference held at Tupelo High School.
The plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Highlander sport utility vehicles annually. Production is scheduled to begin in 2010, and the plant is expected to create at least 2,000 new jobs.
“We in Mississippi, and especially north Mississippi, are excited to have been chosen by Toyota as its partner,” Barbour said at a press conference. “Toyota is the world’s premier auto manufacturer, and our state will be the best partner the company has.”
Ray Tanguay, Toyota manufacturing executive vice president, said several factors led to the company’s choice.
“On my visits to northern Mississippi, I have talked with area companies and observed their workforce,” he said. “What I observed were people who are educated, ethical and friendly with a strong work ethic – a perfect match for the Toyota way.”
Tupelo Mayor Ed Neelly said other community factors influenced the decision as well.
“The site had a lot to do with it; it is an excellent site,” Neelly said. “They also took into consideration things like Tupelo having the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the U.S.”
Neelly said the fact that three counties, Lee, Pontotoc and Union, came together to vie for the plant’s location helped the campaign, and the counties’ group effort was something unprecedented for Mississippi.
“It’s a home run for the state,” he said. “There are just so many jobs that will be created.”
Neelly said there is a potential for the original number of new jobs created to double or even triple when taking into account all the subsequent jobs that will be created from the plant’s opening.
“It’s good for students even at Mississippi State and Ole Miss because they will be hiring engineers and computer people,” he said. “The local community colleges will be doing some of the job training for the plant.”
Tim Climer, president of the Clay County Growth Alliance, said he is excited for the region to be a part of this opportunity.
Although the jobs to work in the plant may not be available for a few years, Climer said the construction jobs offered in building the plant may provide some relief to those of West Point who suffered from the closing of Sara Lee’s Bryan Foods plant.
“The construction phase will probably begin this summer,” Climer said. “Some people from West Point and Clay County may be used to construct the site.”
He said that he was glad his community’s neighbors had such great opportunities that many could benefit from.
“Regionalism is good for everybody,” Climer said.