It was teamwork and a regional approach that paid off for the Wellspring project on land adjacent to U.S. Highway 78 near the Blue Springs interchange 10 miles west of Tupelo. Gov. Haley Barbour officially announced Toyota's plans Tuesday morning in Tupelo.
Wellspring is the work of the PUL Alliance, a group of leaders from Ponotoc, Union and Lee counties. By working together the site was listed as a mega site by the Tennessee Valley Authority, meaning it meets all the qualification necessary for a major economic development project.
The Toyota facility would open in 2009 and have production capacity of 150,000 vehicles and about 2,000 workers. Automotive suppliers could provide an additional 2,000 spinoff jobs.
The PUL Alliance's efforts were led by David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Tupelo-based Community Development Foundation. Gov. Barbour highlighted the teamwork of the state's legislators, congressional delegation and economic development and business leaders in North Mississippi. - Mississippi Economic Council
Posted February 27th, 2007 by Armen Hareyan
