Mazda, Toyota Break Ground on Factory With Big Donations
The joint Mazda/Toyota manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama has been in the works for over a year now. Now, though, Mazda and Toyota finally broke ground on the factory, turning over the first shovelful of dirt on the 16th.
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Joint donations
As part of the ground-breaking ceremony, the joint Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A, Inc. announced a $750,000 donation to STEM-related programs to encourage students to pursue an advanced manufacturing career.
The larger portion of $500,000 went to the Huntsville County Chamber Foundation to launch a career exploration platform online. This platform will highlight manufacturing careers to students in local schools, helping build skills and providing job opportunities.
MTMUS split the remaining $250,000 between six school districts in Madison, Limestone, and Morgan Counties to support STEM or technical programs. These schools include Huntsville City Schools, Madison County Schools, Madison City Schools, Limestone County Schools, Decatur City Schools, and Morgan County Schools.
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Mazda donations
On top of this round of donations, the Mazda Foundation had a few donations of its own. It gave $50,000 each to the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama and the Food Bank of North Alabama. It also gave $20,000 to the Greater Huntsville Humane Society.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, “Not only is Mazda Toyota Manufacturing providing high-paying jobs, they are investing heavily in our future workforce. This will not only benefit them, but also other manufacturers in the area. One thing I’ve learned with Toyota being in our state is that they care for the communities where they do business – it is, after all, their home, too. And they prove it every day. We are lucky to have Mazda Toyota expanding in Alabama.”
Once complete, the factory will employ 4,000 workers to make 300,000 vehicles per year. It will produce Toyota’s recently-revealed 2020 Corolla and a to-be-revealed Mazda crossover.
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