Biggest deal ever: Jackson named site for new Toyota facility

Wednesday, February 1. 2012

In what looks to be the largest single industrial investment in Jackson County's history, Toyota Industries Corp. plans to build a manufacturing plant next to its current compressor plant in Pendergrass. The deal will be a $350 million investment and create 320 new jobs.

The facility will make parts used in its compressors that the company currently imports. The new building will be 600,000 sq. ft.

“Companies like Toyota Industries Corporation, which have located in Jackson County and continue to expand, deserve our sincerest gratitude for believing in our citizens, our leadership and our ability to help them succeed in our community,” said Courtney Bernardi, Director of Economic Development, Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Toyota Industries Corporation has been a vital part of Jackson County’s business community for several years and we are proud to welcome yet another expansion, which will impact our community in such a positive way,” said Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. “We work hard to attract high-quality companies to our area. Toyota Industries Corporation is one that has amazed us from day one, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Toyota Industries Corp.’s new Pendergrass operation will locate next to TD Automotive Compressor Georgia (TACG), allowing the company to leverage synergies between the two operations. The opening of the new TICA plant will allow those parts once manufactured in Japan to be manufactured in Georgia, and conveyed directly to TACG and also shipped to other compressor plants. Toyota Industries Corp. supplies automotive compressors for Toyota Motor Corporation, as well as Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and others.

For the full story, see the Feb. 1 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 FJCR on 01/31/12 at 08:14 PM [Reply]

BUT for how long? Has their not been other big companies that moved into Jackson County like Food Lion and others that Jackson Co. had such high hopes for. And where are they today? THEY CLOSED.

#1.1 JC Resident on 01/31/12 at 08:33 PM [Reply]

I thought that Food Lion was just a grocery store, did they also have a distribution plant here in Jackson County? As for big companies, Jackson County has been blessed with many large companies housing major facilities in our county and most demonstrating continued success. But I think what Ms Bernardi was referring to is that Toyota began a relationship with Jackson County around 20 years ago with a distribution plant and then brought the compressor facility and now they are adding another facility to our county. I have to say I agree, although no one in our family works for any of the Toyota facilities, I know they have had an impact on Jackson County's economy and for that I, for one, hold true respect and appreciation.

#1.2 Tom Hays on 02/01/12 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

Anyone can look at the dark or shadow side of a cloud and predict it will rain someday but I prefer to look at a promise of growth - especially in our current economy. I think this is some positive news for a change.
Yes, Food Lion closed their doors. That was unfortunate as I really liked shopping there. The employees were always a pleasure and made it a good experience. Unfortunately this closing was not just the one in Jefferson but one of a couple of hundred across the country, so I don't feel that you can really compare a local closing to the news of a plant opening fairly.
This plant will supply parts for Toyota as well as other automobile manufacturers so it hopefully will survive further economic bubbles.
I'm just happy to hear of some good economic news-especially since it affects us locally.

#1.2.1 FJCR on 02/01/12 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

Tom- bYeah lets look at the positive side of this . The plant they are going to build will be 600,000 sq ft. and lets say they come in and stay for a year or two and due to budget cuts at Toyota's head office they close the plant in Jackson County. That will be another 600,000 sq ft. building sitting empty.

#1.2.1.1 Cletus on 02/01/12 at 03:40 PM [Reply]

You can go back to your cave now FJCR. I know the changing world can be a little too much for you.

A big thanks to the various Toyota industries and to the Chamber. Manufacturing in the US is what is needed. Well done.

#1.2.1.1.1 manufacturing???? on 02/01/12 at 05:33 PM [Reply]

or assembly? come on now and how much is this Golden Goose given in tax abatements/ how many real workers as opposed to using the shame temp companies? what is the real cost of taxpayers when these companies are paying a pittance and the workers in addition to the county and state giving the company money have to provide the workers with food stamps and housing funds. it is a race to the bottom who can lure the companies that will bleed you dry first!!!

#1.2.1.1.2 Go away cletus on 02/01/12 at 08:24 PM [Reply]

Your belittling opinion is not needed in JC.

Let's see how many jobs this really brings? TACG has not had the economic impact that was promised.

We have yet to see the windfall of jobs and milk and honey both the chamber and people like Bicknell have said would occur.

Bad news folks the economy is getting worse not better.

#2 yay on 02/01/12 at 12:25 PM [Reply]

more temp jobs at TAC_G yay

#2.1 Tim on 02/01/12 at 05:11 PM [Reply]

Yep. I agree. Just another one of the "great" companies that come along to allow temp agencies to string people along. Day 60 or 90 rolls around... no work for you here today, and along comes the next batch of temps. Have watched it happen to a couple of my kids and several of there friends.

#2.1.1 FJCR on 02/01/12 at 06:04 PM [Reply]

Yeah Tim- I have seen this too because it is cheaper for companies like this to pay temp agencies than it would be to hire full time help because as long as you are a temp they do not have to offer you any benifits like Health insurance, Holiday pay, vacations. So they can let you come in and work your butt off for 90 days and let you go and call another temp agency and get more help for 90 more days?

#2.1.1.1 Cletus on 02/01/12 at 06:20 PM [Reply]

I too have seen this type of corporate culture with my brother in manufacturing. Its tough no doubt. I hope this will not happen here. Corporations would be wise to understand that the better you treat your workers the better performance you get and the better talent you attract.
However, I am betting that some of you are the same ones that cry out for no government involvement in corporate affairs. They can completely police themselves. So which way will you have it?
Also, tax abatements don't cost taxpayers money, it is just deferred. Taxpayers pay no more in property taxes because of the new plant. There are also other peripheral economic benefits from increased employment with local spending and utility usage, etc.

#3 at on 02/01/12 at 05:55 PM [Reply]

one plant the average pay and i repeat and benifits is 37000, that plant has 7000 employees, heck i made more then that by good deal and I load trucks not make products!!!! not trained to use CNCor technical reading of blue prints, yeah come onTOYOTA!! oh what a feeling!!!

#4 Hirosake on 02/01/12 at 07:41 PM [Reply]

They not enuff skilled labor in this town to run a hardees...how they gonna run a manufacturing plant...hope there are alot of robots because people on that dope stuf dont work well for glorious japan so hardly any one around here can work

#5 P'd off redneck on 02/01/12 at 07:47 PM [Reply]

Hey hirosake go back to japan...I made straight a's until i dropped out in 5th grade...i kan spel plintee gud to cuz my mama tawt me in jaksun cunty

#6 what about the past? on 02/01/12 at 09:22 PM [Reply]

it amazes me that people are willing to forget what Japan did to us in the past. thousands killed, thousands imprisoned and mistreated. but, that if all forgotten when the almighty dollar is waived in our face. we are giving millions of dollars is incentives to a country who destroyed millions of lives.

#6.1 Mirror on 02/02/12 at 05:20 AM [Reply]

Are you talking about the United States or Japan. Because it was the United States that dropped not one, but two atomic bombs on Japan, while at the same time keeping thousands of Americans of Japanese descent in prison camps.

#6.1.1 wel on 02/02/12 at 12:48 PM [Reply]

it would be unfair not to mention that also Itailian and Germans were kept in camps also, Missoula Montana my great grandfather was kept there during the war, wierd how people forget when not just minorities are also kept in camps. by the way the Germans and Itailians kept in these camps did not and far as I know no one is petioning for monies these people and thier familis lost while be confined.

#6.1.2 FJCR on 02/02/12 at 04:03 PM [Reply]

Mirror- BUT let me ask you a HISTORY QUESTION since you know so darn much about history. who WAS RESPONSIBLE for the Bombing of Pearl Harbor?

#6.1.2.1 chris on 03/04/12 at 07:24 AM [Reply]

Dude, pearl harbor killed 3,000. First atomic bomb killed 300,000. Plus cancer has killed thousands over the last 60 years. And more died in Tokyo from the napalm bombings. No what they had in common that pearl harbor didn't? Pearl harbor was a military Target. We targeted civilians. And I am a proud u.s. army veteran, but I am not afraid of the truth.

#6.1.3 FJCR on 02/02/12 at 07:01 PM [Reply]

Mirror- Reread what about the past's post one more again what does it say? It said People(YOU) are willing to forget what Japan(THEM) did to us(AMERICANS).

#6.2 FJCR on 02/02/12 at 10:42 AM [Reply]

what about the past- I agree it's like America is saying it don't matter what you do to our people as long as you wave your dollars in our face all is forgiven.

#7 JustPlainOldBob on 02/02/12 at 02:19 AM [Reply]

Wow can not believe how backwards some people are in Jackson County (not everyone). If you do not have a job, even if you work through a temp agency, use the job as a learning experience. Go back to school learn a trade and put all this on your resume. 90 days * $10 = $9,000 which is better than sitting on your lazy tail complaining.

Be happy Toyota is going to build onto a current facility.

#7.1 check your math.... on 02/02/12 at 07:38 AM [Reply]

90 days = 13 weeks
13 weeks x 40 hours/wk = 520 hrs
520 hrs x $10/hr = $5200

In order to make $9000 over a 90 day period (assuming a 40 hour week), the hourly wage would need to be around $17.30/hour.

#7.1.1 JustPlainOldBob on 02/02/12 at 08:48 PM [Reply]

Overtime included. All new start ups need you to work overtime.

#7.1.1.1 bahabaha on 02/03/12 at 04:29 PM [Reply]

not true bob some that are managed and staffed properly dont even need people there for forty for everyone to be happy, poor planning and under staffing results in unplanned overtime,

#8 so on 02/02/12 at 12:44 PM [Reply]

24,000 a year ppl should be thankful that Toyota has choosen Jefferson even if they do not pay much and jobs like the plant may only be here for ten or twenty years

#9 What? on 02/02/12 at 01:06 PM [Reply]

I'm not sure where everyone is coming up with the 90 day cut off for temps at TACG. I have worked at TACG for several years and I know temps that have been there for longer than 90 days. Many are thankful to have any sort of job. Most also receive a good amount of overtime. Some of them are able to eventually move on to full time positions as jobs become available. One such opportunity was recently available when Assembly added a weekend C shift. There are still many more permanent employees than temp employees. TACG is not perfect and I don't know a company that is, but some of the things mentioned in these comments are not completely accurate.

#10 sure on 02/02/12 at 01:12 PM [Reply]

you can be a temp there for years and years!!! and oh yeah theres overtime you fil to do it bye bye sorry charlie they dont need you unless you give 190 percent and put only them on your planning calendar!

#10.1 NEWS FLASH on 02/02/12 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

#10 That is called a job. The employer expects you to give your all when on the job.

The days of half doing anything and getting paid is over.

#10.1.1 FJCR on 02/02/12 at 03:31 PM [Reply]

SO NEWS FLASH- A job is working as long as they want you too and doing what ever they want you to do? Thanks for clearing that up BECAUSE I thought that was being a slave?

#11 the on 02/02/12 at 02:43 PM [Reply]

days of indentured servatude were over but they are coming back with all these fake temp jobs thst go on and on stringing people along in hope of becoming perm employee while that person in many cases could have found an already full timme perm job that when they can not make work they wont be fired, temp jobs and companies that use temps for years and years are the new lawful way around being good employer, I give my all my company has many employees it hires them direct as part time, or flex employees not hiding behind the phoney temp companies that pay low pay, demand more from temp then most full time employees! and the employee prays they do not get ill, cause the exploitive companies they temp for as well as the seedie companies that expoit the temp agency workers shame on both!!
a temp position should be that not these never ending ones that really are full time slots in which both want to work people to death but not pay one for the life the companies are squeezing from them!

#11.1 FJCR on 02/02/12 at 03:24 PM [Reply]

the on- I agree and if the companies would hire people on a part time basis they still wouldn't have to offer them Health insurance and the company could get that person at a cheaper wage? See the company may be paying the temp. agency $11.00 per hour for the worker but the temp agency ain't paying said worker but $7.50 or $8.00 per hour SO the company could hire the person part time for $8.00 and save money?

#12 yes on 02/02/12 at 04:08 PM [Reply]

but then the companies would be on hook for letting these workers go,rather then just letting temp service exploit these folks and when they work them like dogs just throw them away, shame shame shame.

people need to work but companies also need to not be less the right with persons doing work for them, even temp workers.
this is sad when ppl let others exploit the less then perfect amoungst us, glad my company does not use temp agencies

#12.1 Better than nothing on 02/02/12 at 07:26 PM [Reply]

Your right in a way, TACG has not had the impact we all had hoped for. When they came in they were given a tax break of 20% per year on County Taxes for 5 years,but not on school taxes.School Taxes were 100% from the begining. Which means their County M&O is 100% now. The Commissioners in office then also made sure in the contract that any additions would go in with no tax breaks. I wonder if that contract was re-written? I hope not.
As far as jobs go, the average employer only has an average of 25% of employees that are Citizens of the County where the Plant is built. So, I say 25% is better than nothing. You are also correct about the Temps situation,but that's the way companies operate these days.
JC is the best place companies can locate these days, and our Economic development could be handled by anybody, maybe even Oboma. It wasn't like that 10 to 15 years ago, so Chamber quit patting yourself on the back. Sooner or later your arm will come out of socket.
I say THANKS to the Government Officials that made these decisions 8 or 9 years ago, and set JC up for these Industries.

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is four plus zero?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry

Biggest deal ever: Jackson named site for new Toyota facility

JacksonHeraldTODAY

Biggest deal ever: Jackson named site for new Toyota facility

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

This Week's Poll

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags