By Katie Watson

I often find myself scanning the headlines just before sitting down to type out my weekly column. No matter what I was previously set on writing, a flashy topic can change my mind in a second. If I find myself madder at the end of the article than at the beginning, I know that I have struck gold with a particular topic and my column then usually turns into the complaint corner. However, this week, it was simply impossible to ignore the infectious good news floating around the news sources in Mississippi and the nation. So, pardon me for reiterating their elation and jumping on the bandwagon of writers encouraged by Toyota's recent announcement regarding the opening of its Blue Springs, Mississippi, plant.

Garnering a large manufacturing plant is a feat akin to winning the World Cup. Okay, so maybe that is not exactly right, but it is nonetheless an accomplishment that requires the assistance of many. Various locations become competitive, with elected officials and economic developers knocking down any barrier to success in any particular locality. Therefore, Toyota's decision in 2007 to locate a plant in Blue Springs was a victory for all involved, including the State of Mississippi, which has dedicated almost $300 million to assist in site preparation, another tactic to lure the auto manufacturer. Ultimately though, this announcement was a success for those potential workers from across northeast Mississippi, many of whom bear the scars of the decline of the former furniture manufacturing capital.

Unfortunately, the 2007 announcement preceded the downturn in the economy, which eventually delayed the original 2010 goal of production at the plant. Such an announcement can and did cause much disappointment among the many who worked to obtain the Toyota plant, but also to the (by that time) increasingly unemployed who were searching for jobs. It has now turned out to be the valley in the story of Toyota in Blue Springs, as it has now been made known that cars will begin coming off of the line in 2011.

The governor was on hand for the celebration on Thursday, the result of which is likely to remain as one of the lasting legacies of his term in office. It was there that he shared that Toyota planned to begin production in 2011 at the plant that will employ an approximate 2000 people. This goes without mentioning the boom the plant will create to local economies as people re-locate for the jobs it will provide. Additionally, the preparation needed to ready the site for production will create a boost for the area around Blue Springs.

Given the debilitating effects of the oil spill, there is no doubt that this announcement was well timed, much-needed positive news for Mississippi. As an admitted skeptic about the future of manufacturing in our economy, I was encouraged on Thursday to see Toyota follow through with its commitment to our state. So, hats off to those who had the foresight to pave the way for an expansion in our local economy, and also to those who saw the benefits of locating in Mississippi. In the years to come, many in our state will prosper because of the news that was so hospitably received by our state last week.