By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Mazda and Toyota announced Wednesday that they had selected the TVA mega site in Limestone County for their newest manufacturing plant. The $1.6 billion joint venture in the city limits of Huntsville will employ up to 4,000 workers. A number of Alabama elected leaders reacted to the good economic development news.
“Toyota and Mazda’s decision to locate in Limestone County is great news for Alabama and the Tennessee Valley! I’m thankful Alabama was selected despite fierce competition from other states vying for this plant,” said U.S. Representative Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville. “Toyota and Mazda’s decision validates what many of us in Alabama already know. Alabama is not only America’s #1 football state, we are also on a path to be America’s #1 automotive production state. That is a strong testament to the quality of the location, resources, people and government leadership that Alabama offers.”
“The news that Toyota and Mazda have chosen Alabama as this new plant’s home highlights once again that our great state is open for business,” said U.S. Representative Martha Roby, R-Montgomery. “The decision by these companies is truly a testament to our impressive, skilled workforce and our state’s business-friendly environment. This exciting investment in North Alabama not only comes with 4,000 new direct jobs, but also an economic impact that will be felt across the state for many years to come.”
“Toyota and Mazda made a tremendous decision in choosing Alabama for their new, cutting-edge manufacturing plant,” said U.S. Representative Gary Palmer, R-Hoover. “I am pleased this new facility will eventually bring 4,000 new jobs and significant economic growth to our state. The fact that Toyota and Mazda picked Alabama is indicative of the hard work and commitment Alabama has made to become the pacesetter in the automobile manufacturing industry.”
“The Toyota and Mazda decision to select Huntsville as the new location for their joint auto plant is both a testament to Northern Alabama’s exceptional advanced manufacturing workforce and further proof that choosing common ground over divisiveness will drive business to our state,” said Senator Doug Jones (D). “Today’s announcement is a tremendous step forward for Alabama’s growing technology sector and our ability to recruit quality businesses in the future. We must build on this momentum, and continue to focus our efforts on issues that affect hard-working Alabamians like creating good-paying jobs and providing students with the tools to attain them.”
“I am extremely proud that Huntsville was selected by Toyota and Mazda for the joint auto production plant,” Senator Richard Shelby (R) said. “This facility will create thousands of jobs and strengthen economic growth throughout our state and region. Alabama has a proven track record of creating an environment where world-class manufacturing operations thrive. Today’s announcement speaks volumes about the capabilities and effectiveness of our state’s skilled workforce, highlighting the continued truth that Alabama is open for business.”
Rep. Brooks concluded, “The Tennessee Valley did not win the Toyota and Mazda competition overnight. Rather, this victory is the culmination of decades of hard work and leadership offered by local, state and federal officials who have consistently worked together to make the Tennessee Valley a great place to live and work, a place that encourages companies like Polaris, Remington, and now Toyota and Mazda, to rank the Tennessee Valley #1 in America.”
Toyota and Mazda initially targeted twelve states for the project. Eventually they narrowed it down to just Alabama and North Carolina. The 4,000 new jobs will provide a boost to the already 57,000-strong auto-making workforce in the state. The new facility is also expected to produce around 300,000 vehicles a year.
