State officials expect Toyota suppliers to start announcing plant sites within the next six months.
Following a trip to Japan last week with a group of business and government officials, Gov. Haley Barbour said today he wants all the suppliers to locate in state, particularly in north and east Mississippi. He said he expects suppliers to initially bring 2,000 to 3,000 jobs.
The group met with about 50 potential suppliers for Toyota’s plant in Blue Springs. Barbour held some one-on-one meetings and gave a presentation on the state’s demographics, geography and growing automotive industry.
Toyota, which is building a $1.3 billion plant, has yet to award contracts for supplying vehicle parts and professional services. Barbour would not name the companies but said with the Toyota plant scheduled to open by 2010, suppliers will be on a shorter timeline.
Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, said because the time constraints, Mississippi communities need have their industrial sites ready. Barbour encouraged communities to contact the MDA if they believe they have a plant site.
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