Under Governor Kay Ivey’s administration, the good news just keeps coming for Alabama’s manufacturing industry and for job seekers in the state.
On Thursday, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama announced a historic $288 million expansion of its existing facility in Huntsville, which is not to be confused with the under-construction Mazda-Toyota plant.
According to a press release, Toyota’s new investment will increase annual engine capacity from 670,000 to 900,000 by the end of 2021 to increase product flexibility and better accommodate market demand.
New 4-cylinder and V6 engine lines will add 450 new jobs to the north Alabama facility, the largest hiring need in the plant’s history.
The investment also includes a building expansion.
With the new investment, the plant represents an investment of $1.2 billion by Toyota.
The company announced Thursday that it will exceed its 2017 pledge to invest $10 billion over five years in the United States, with a new commitment to reach nearly $13 billion over the same period boosting the American economy.
Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield attended the announcement in Huntsville Thursday.
According to WAFF, Canfield said, “The automotive sector in Alabama is a story of success in a short period of time.”
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle explained that this is the seventh time the plant has expanded.
“This is a local investment that means a lot to this community,” Battle said, per WAFF.
With 7 major investments in #HuntsvilleAL since breaking ground in 2001, today’s announcement means 35% increase in production capacity and 450 new #jobs. Overall, @Toyota supports nearly 10,000 jobs throughout #Alabama. pic.twitter.com/gQtzmesem4
— City of Huntsville (@huntsvillecity) March 14, 2019
.@Toyota’s decision to invest another $288M in the #AL facility speaks to the plant’s advanced capabilities & strong workforce in the region. Pleased the company is expanding both in #Huntsville & across the nation, and I look forward to seeing this investment come to fruition. https://t.co/07FRBNclqG
— Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) March 14, 2019
This came the day after Toyota announced it was donating $1 million to fight poverty through a literacy initiative in north Alabama and Washington, D.C.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.