The gigantic Nissan plant in Canton is set to begin production in May. A $500-million expansion to the project will come on line in 2004.

Auto Industry Still Driving New Jobs

In June, Nissan announced a $500-million expansion of its assembly plant in Canton, nearly a year before the $930-million first phase is scheduled to begin production. The expansion adds 1 million sq. ft. (93,000 sq. m.) to the initial 2.5 million sq. ft. (232,000 sq. m.). The new investment increases annual production capacity to 400,000 vehicles and will add 1,300 new jobs for a total of approximately 5,000. The plant will build full-size pickup trucks, full-size sport utility vehicles for the Infinity lines and the next generation Nissan Quest minivan. The expansion, set for completion in 2004, will add Altima production to the plant's manufacturing repertoire.
        "The extension of our plant capacity in Canton is consistent with Nissan's strategy to increase its presence in North America," says Emil Hassan, senior vice president of North American manufacturing, purchasing, quality and logistics.
        The Canton plant's first phase is on schedule and production is set to begin in May, according to company spokesman Tom Groom. In November, the building's shell was complete and work was progressing inside, including some trial production runs.
        A recent study by the University of Southern Mississippi drives home the impact of the Nissan project. Looking at direct and indirect job creation, tax revenues and return on investment to the state, the study concludes Nissan will create 16,212 direct and indirect jobs by 2005. The study also indicates the state will reach a break-even point on its $363-million investment in the project by 2007.
        More automotive investment may be in Mississippi's future. A site in Como, about 40 miles south of Memphis on I-55, was reportedly among the finalists for a new $750-million Toyota plant.