Automaker Announces Plans for Multi-Billion Dollar Plant in Tunica County

Tunica named site for proposed auto manufacturer

Four prototype hybrid vehicles were unveiled in Tunica Tuesday by a Mississippi based company that hopes to build a car plant in northwestern Mississippi. MPB's Patty Davis has more.

GreenTech Automotive, Inc. announced plans to develop and manufacture the hybrid automobiles on 1,500 acres in Tunica County . The initial phase of the project is estimated to cost $1 billion and provide 1,500 local jobs. The company has not said when construction could begin, but investments made through Gulf Coast Automotive Fund are an integrated part of GreenTech's overall funding strategy. Lyn Arnold is President and CEO of the Tunica County Chamber and economic development foundation.

Arnold: There is still work to be done before any actual construction work or the building of automobiles.

Arnold says the potential for this project could affect the entire region.

Arnold: Typically, Tunica County pulls a labor force from a three state-ten county area. So we do think this project has potential for the entire Mid-South and certainly the Mississippi Delta region. We're also likely to see some additional suppliers that would locate in communities around the area.

GreenTech has not yet purchased the property for the plant, and an incentive package is still being negotiated.