LIMESTONE COUNTY-On Tuesday, January 9 several sources have reported that North Alabama will be the site for a new $1.6 billion Toyota and Mazda auto plant.
The purposed location is the TVA megasite in Athens near exit 3 off I-565. The site is 1,200 acres and could soon be home to a plant employing 4,000 people. The plant will produce about 300,000 vehicles a year and is a boon for the state, where Toyota has a large engine plant and an existing network of automotive suppliers.
Sources for months have said the decision was between North Carolina and Alabama. The Raleigh News & Observer is reporting that North Carolina lost out on the plant because it does not have the supply chain logistics that the car companies want.
A formal announcement by company and state officials is expected on Wednesday in Montgomery, sources reported.
