Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. executives recently took place in a Bartow County, Ga., ceremony attended by Gov. Nathan Deal, after signing an agreement to expand Bartow County’s bonding capacity an additional $910 million.
The agreement enables Toyo to expand its current facility, adding up to 470 new jobs over the next few years. Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing President Jim Hawk and James Jarrett, Chairman of the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority, signed the agreement
“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,” says Hawk. “Georgia Quick Start continues to be a significant part of our success. With the continuation of support from the Bartow County Joint Development Authority, we will be in a position to continue our growth.”
Toyo’s Bartow County facility was its first U.S. consumer tire production operation. The 900,000-square-foot plant has been in operation since 2006, and includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse that serve its customers throughout the country. The company expanded by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people. Toyo announced a further 200-job expansion in 2010, and, with the capacity enabled by the bonding, the company’s employment could grow to 1,340 workers by 2020.
“This agreement is a great example of the kind of business-friendly environment we pride ourselves on here in Georgia,” says 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.”
Georgia Quick Start, the state’s award-winning workforce development program, has played an integral part in Toyo’s success. Also, Bartow County is a Georgia Certified Work Ready Community, a designation showing the county has the skilled workforce needed to meet the needs of business and the educational foundation to build a supply of workers.
