HUNTSVILLE, Ala — Huntsville's Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility hosted a community appreciation event where several awards were presented to local nonprofits. Leaders like governor Kay Ivey and Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle spoke about the facility's economic impact on the state.
"This project was Alabama's largest economic development project in the last decade…folks, this is a $2.3 billion, with a b, dollar investment. These Alabamians I am told will help manufacture up to 300,000 cars every year. " Governor Kay Ivey joined today's community celebration and said this is a big economic opportunity for the state.
The company has not yet reached the hiring goal but they're almost there. "3,700 team members strong, we're going to hire about 4,000 team members all together but if anyone is out there we also need engineers, we need safety folks, we need administration folks. so, if you're out there, come on over," said Janette Hostettler with MTM.
Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle, said these jobs give lots of opportunity to residents. "They're given the opportunity to raise a family, to put food on the table to put a roof over their head."
But jobs and cars aren't the only things they are celebrating. The company gave $180,000 to ten local nonprofits that align with their the values. Those values?
"Opportunities for technical training, or opportunities for really just a deep dive into quality of life, or Huntsville Hospital Foundation and just the work that they're providing for some transitional care."