News

TVA helps retain Mississippi tire manufacturer

July 30, 2009 – A recent article in The Leader profiles Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

“In this current difficult economic environment, … finding new ways to attract − and more important − retain businesses in the state is extraordinarily essential,” the article says.

When Swoope learned that Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. would likely have to close one of its four U.S. plants, he didn’t want it to be the one in Tupelo, Miss., which employs 1,500 people and has an annual payroll of $81 million.

With the help of TVA and state and local officials, Swoope led the effort that successfully addressed Cooper Tire’s needs and concerns. The key, according to Swoope: “working together and understanding the markets.”

Read the article (PDF, 501 kb).