Toyo USA signs Georgia bond deal to expand plant

Toyo Tire North America has signed a deal with the state of Georgia and Bartow County to help expand the county’s bonding capacity and Toyo’s Georgia plant, reports Tire Review. The $910 million bond deal will add 470 new jobs to the plant, which first opened in 2006. Georgia governor Nathan Deal, Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing president Jim Hawk and James Jarrett, chairman of the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority signed the deal at a press conference on 12 July.

“This agreement is a great example of the kind of business-friendly environment we pride ourselves on here in Georgia,” said Georgia governor Nathan Deal. “I applaud the vision of Bartow County’s leadership for taking steps to ensure the community and the company will continue to benefit from this very productive partnership.”

The 900,000 sq ft plant currently includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse. Toyo expanded the facility by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people, and then added another 200 jobs in 2010. The 470 new jobs would take total employment at the plant and warehouse to 1,340 workers.

“The pro-business environment and cooperation from the State of Georgia and Bartow County have exceeded our expectations. Our start-up and growth have proceeded more quickly than planned,” said Hawk. “With the continuation of support from the Bartow County Joint Development Authority, we will be in a position to continue our growth.”

Along with the plant expansion announcement, Hawk said Toyo was donating tyres to rescue vehicles in Bartow County and a $5,000 check for Bartow schools.

“Throughout the economic crisis our community has gone through, it was remarkable to me that Toyo held their employment levels steady,” said Bartow County Sole commissioner Clarence Brown. “We’ve always been grateful for Toyo’s decision to locate here, but during times like these the jobs they have provided to our citizens are even more meaningful. Everyone is so happy that they have the chance to grow again, but, for me, I’m most appreciative of the jobs.”