February 2007
Toyota chooses Mississippi megasite
for new plant
Toyota Motor Corporation announced on Feb. 27 that it has chosen the PUL Alliance-Wellspring Project megasite near Tupelo, Miss., for its newest U.S. vehicle manufacturing plant. The company expects to produce about 150,000 Highlander sport utility vehicles a year at the site once the the plant is fully operational in 2010. The facility represents a $1.3 billion investment by Toyota and is expected to create about 2,000 jobs. “This is a huge economic-development success for the Tennessee Valley, which continues to confirm that the Valley is a great place to do business,” said TVA Economic Development Senior Vice President John Bradley.
Read more at the Wellspring Project site.
Commerce Park certified as megasite
Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee, is the location of the eighth megasite and the first in Middle Tennessee. Known as Commerce Park, Central Tennessee's Megasite, the property has been certified as suitable for a major automotive manufacturer or related industry.
Commerce Park meets all the criteria established by McCallum Sweeney Consulting for an automotive assembly plant. The site offers:
- 1,187 acres
- Instant access to I-24
- Convenient to the Nashville International Airport
- Access to over 75% of major U.S. cities within a day's drive.
Alan Raymond: Problem solver for automotive suppliers
“Although the automotive industry is extensive, it is also very competitive and in a constant state of change," says TVA target market specialist Alan Raymond. “The challenge is to recognize opportunities that surface in a sea of information.” Raymond has over a decade of experience working in the automotive industry and economic development in both the public and private sectors.
“Automotive suppliers typically must make careful but quick location decisions with very little margin of error, so the first step for me is to identify a client’s critical project drivers,” Raymond says. “I then work with local and state allies to identify locations that present the best matches. My goal is the same for every project – provide accurate information and solutions so the company can make the optimal decision for long-term success in the Tennessee Valley.”
Before coming to TVA, Raymond worked for the Mississippi Development Authority as a senior business development consultant and an international trade specialist focusing on marketing to South America. His first TVA project was SeverCorr, a steel mill that located on a certified megasite in Columbus, Miss., and he also helped recruit U.S. Farathane to Jackson, Tenn.
Yutaka Technologies to build Alabama plant
Tier-one Honda supplier Yutaka Technologies announced on February 8 that it will build a plant in Cullman, Ala., to manufacture torque converters and exhaust system parts for the Honda manufacturing plant in nearby Lincoln. Yutaka will build the $50 million facility on a 75-acre site in Cullman’s Industrial Park V. It is expected to provide 200 jobs, with production beginning in November.
Yutaka president and CEO Masaru Takabayashi said Cullman’s location was a primary factor in the decision. The plant will be near Interstate 65 and only about an hour’s drive from the Honda facility in Lincoln. Takabayashi also cited the existing manufacturing structure and the area’s well-qualified work force. TVA assisted Cullman Electric Cooperative, the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, the Cullman City Economic Development Office, and the Alabama Development Office with technical services on the project.
Preparing communities for prospect visits
To help communities present a strong case during prospect visits, TVA Economic Development offers regional seminars for community leaders. The seminars emphasize three skills:
- Understanding the prospect’s needs through a four-step question matrix to identify the real project requirements
- Uncovering the financial impact of key drivers
- Differentiating the community through presentations that create a compelling business case.
The seminars are led by Carol Johnson of Continuous Dialog, whose past experience as a decision maker on site selection teams for large companies gives her unique insights into what it takes to respond effectively.
Participants’ responses have been enthusiastic. “I learned there is real value in asking your questions in a logical order, demonstrating your business acumen and painting a picture of the prospect’s business case,” said April Eads, business development manager for Bristol Tennessee Essential Services. Kim Denton, president of the Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, said, “The training will help me determine the project drivers and customize proposals and presentations to better meet the prospect's needs.”
Biodiesel plant highlights success of TVA-ARC partnership
A new biodiesel plant in rural Morgan County, Tennessee, will benefit workers, farmers, the local economy, and the environment. The plant is an outgrowth of the partnership between TVA and the Appalachian Regional Commission, which helps communities build capacity and infrastructure.
Built by Wyoming-based Northington Energy, the plant will provide sustainable low-impact jobs and create a local market for soybeans. It will be located in the Flat Fork Park, which focuses on environmentally sensitive companies and was built with TVA’s help around a nearby wetland. “Rural counties are sometimes behind the times,” said Morgan County Executive Becky Ruppe, “and it’s great to have our county be in the forefront of something that’s the future.” Read more at WBIR.com. Also visit the ARC web site and check out its Online Resource Center.
Northeast Mississippi holds annual economic forecast conference
More than 750 people attended the Northeast Mississippi Economic Forecast Conference January 24 in Tupelo. The conference gave an overview of the economy at the local, state, regional, and national level. Key speakers included Fred Barnes of Fox News, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley, and Community Development Foundation Chairman Mary Werner.
Mark your calendar
- Rural Development Conference, April 11-12, Tennessee Tech, Cookeville
TVA is one of the sponsors of the 12th annual conference, featuring expert presentations on community leadership, spec building development, grant writing, communications, economic impact analysis, broadband, and more. Read more and register online. - Automotive News Manufacturing Conference, May 16-17, Renaissance Nashville Hotel
More than 350 executives of automotive manufacturers and suppliers attend the event. Topics include logistics, supply chain management, IT issues on the factory floor, and the challenge of keeping up with stiff competition. TVA and the National Transportation Research Center Inc. will participate in the conference and have a display booth. Read more and register online.
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