Video: Yokohama Tire Breaks Ground

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CLAY COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A major groundbreaking in Clay County has an entire region excited for the future. Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi’s brand new facility is expected to cover 500 acres and employ hundreds of Mississippians.

More than $500 million and hundreds of jobs over the next decade. Ground is broken in Clay County, and now work can begin on the first Yokohoma manufacturing facility, that will be built from the ground up on American soil. Yokohama Tire Mississippi broke ground on phase one of the project. Phase one comes at a price tag of $300 million and is will create 500 jobs immediately.

West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson says, “In the history of our community there hasn’t been a larger or more impactful event in the history of our county and city.”

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American Manufacturing and Marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan based Yokohama Rubber. For plant president Tadahura Yamamoto the past few days have been a bit overwhelming.

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi Tadahura Yamamoto says, “I came here this Monday so less than one week. Everyday and everynight everybody has welcomed me, so I’m so happy. I need to contribute to this community.”

Governor Phil Bryant along with state and local officials gathered to welcome their newest industry to town. With one dig of a shovel, the deal was sealed.

At a price tag of just over $500 million and a facility that’s going to be close to a million square feet, Mondays groundbreaking is partnering Mississippi with Yokohama Tire.

According to Sen. Roger Wicker, “Each time we have success like this whether it’s Nissan, Toyota, Steel Mill or anything like that, word gets around that not only is the leadership great to work with but these are great individual family oriented people who will give you a good hard days work and who will be reliable.”

The next few weeks and months are sure to be busy, as Yokohama officials start the hiring process and begin building.

A move that will not only breathe life into today’s economy, but provide financial stability for the future. In Clay County, Paulo Salazar, WCBI News.

The 500 acre site will produce commercial truck tires. Phase one is expected to be completed by 2015.