Nissan Announces Expansion at Canton Plant

Dan Bednarzyk, Vice President, Manufacturing-Canton

Beginning next year, Nissan's Canton plant will be the first in the country to build Nissan Commercial Vehicles developed specifically for the North American market. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports what impact it could have on the community.

Nissan has already begun construction on its $118 million expansion which will include a new building, a larger paint and body shop, and a new assembly line. All in preparation for its first north American commercial vehicle which is set to begin production in 2010. Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing says Mississippi was the most logical choice.

“Canton had some capacity. We have a good quality reputation within Nissan and obviously we had to do a lot to make sure we were cost competitive as well. So we put the package together and it made since for the company to have a profitable vehicle built here.”

34 hundred employees are currently employed at Nissan's Canton facility. Many shop at
Stucky's convenience store, a few blocks away. Manager, Susan body was glad to hear a little positive economic news for the community.

“When they working then they’ll start shopping in here so that’s a great thing for us you know. They just keep it here in Mississippi like the plan was in the beginning you know we’ll grow and get bigger you know. Cause people are coming in and staying and so that helps with the economy and everything else and get more stuff to come to canton.”

Nissans decision to renovate the Mississippi facility comes a month after the company announced it would cut 20,000 jobs to deal with its first annual loss in nine years. So far Canton workers have had their schedules reduced by one day a week. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.