Area Development
Yokohama Corporation of North America opened its $300 million first phase of a commercial truck tire manufacturing plant, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, in West Point, Mississippi. The project is expected to create 500 jobs.

According to the firm, “potential future expansions are expected to increase the company’s investment and employment levels to up to four times in scale in accordance with future growth.”

“The grand opening of our first U.S.-built plant is truly a historic day for Yokohama,” said Tadaharu Yamamoto, President of YTMM. “Thanks to Governor Bryant, the great state of Mississippi, the entire community of West Point, the Golden Triangle Region and the incredible Mississippi workforce, the plant site was developed to a fully operational state-of-the-art facility in record time.”

In April 2013, the Mississippi Legislature approved assistance for the project for the purchase of a 500-acre site for the facility, site preparation, infrastructure needs and workforce training.

“The start-up of this world-class Yokohama Tire manufacturing facility is a tribute to the leadership of Yokohama Tire, as well as our partners at the city of West Point, Clay County, the Golden Triangle Regional Development LINK and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Together with Mississippi Development Authority, this team of dedicated economic development professionals worked hard to bring Yokohama to our state and provide Mississippians in the Golden Triangle region with exciting new career opportunities,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough. “Mississippi Development Authority congratulates the Yokohama team on this historic milestone, and we look forward to many years of success for Yokohama Tire in Clay County, Mississippi.”

“Yokohama is a transformative project for West Point and Clay County. We are excited about Phase I going on-line and are looking forward to future investments and a long relationship,” said Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins.

“The opening of Yokohama’s manufacturing facility in West Point brings full circle a project that broke ground just two short years ago. I appreciate the Yokohama team, the Mississippi Legislature and state and local officials who have worked hard from day one to expedite this project and create so many jobs for the residents of West Point and the Golden Triangle region,” said Governor Phil Bryant. “I congratulate Yokohama on this milestone event, and the state of Mississippi looks forward to many more years of partnership with this great company.”