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Florida, according to several media accounts, is up for a blockbuster economic development victory, in a potential new Toyota-Mazda manufacturing plant.
The auto companies announced a joint partnership in early August. It includes plans to jointly develop electric vehicles and connected-car technologies, according to a statement. It also includes plans to build a final assembly plant, a $1.6 billion facility that would have 4,000 employees and produce 300,000 vehicles annually a year. The plant could open by 2021.
Florida, according to the Wall Street Journal and Dallas Morning News, is one of 11 states in the running for the plant, which would require 1,000 acres. Other states in consideration include Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, both newspapers report. Texas, home to Toyota's North American headquarters, in Plano, outside Dallas, is another state in the running. The Journal reports that Toyota has been working with real estate giant JLL to find a suitable site.
A spokesman with Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development arm, declined to comment on any potential or ongoing projects, including anything regarding the Toyota factory, citing state law.
Under Florida Gov. Rick Scott, the state has been aggressive in courting national headquarters and other economic development victories. So the state could toss out a large invectives package, with tax breaks, training programs and other goodies, to lure Toyota to Florida. One factor that could hurt or help the Sunshine State: Toyota has manufacturing plants in eight states, from Indiana and Missouri to Alabama and Mississippi. The company could either look to stay close to an existing plant, or expand its supply chain.
Of course, Enterprise Florida came under heavy scrutiny in the most recent legislative session in Tallahassee. Despite an eventual compromise on funding, the agency's ability to compete nationally remains in doubt. Its showing in the Toyota sweepstakes could be a good barometer of the department's heft.
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