KENTUCKY — There’s no question that Toyota’s Georgetown-based manufacturing plant, which is already the company's largest in the world, is the main driver for the economic growth in Scott County.
Toyota announced in Oct. 2021 that’s its expanding even more into the Commonwealth, by investing $461 million new dollars that will expand the plant’s “ability to produce new products, including future electrification.” The plans has made hybrid electric vehicles since 2006.
The company said in a statement the changes and projects coming to Georgetown are meant to meet customer demand, reduce its carbon footprint and make advancements for the future.
Toyota Kentucky (TMMK) said the new plan will focus on three primary purposes:
- Facility Enhancements and Operational upgrades — new equipment and technology, along with improvements in the facility's layout will, according to the company increase the plant's "operational speed, flexibility and competitiveness.
- Expansion of Powertrain Capabilities — The company says TMMK's powertrain operation will add a 2.4-liter turbo engine line to its product mix. This will expand the range of vehicles made in North America.
- Direct Hire Program — Georgetown will change to a direct hire process. This is a process where the company or an employment agency handles recruitment to fill long-term needs. Toyota says approximately 1,400 of its variable staff members will be offered a direct position with Toyota. The company believes this will help recruit and retain talent.
"First of all, I'm extremely grateful for the leadership at TMMK. And their work that went into this expansion and upgrades. You know it's not a given that this could be happening here today. A lot of work went in the background to make it happen. And I'm just very, very grateful. And the confidence that this commitment shows in our workforce in our community, in our region, shows that their commitment for TMMK to continue to make cars here in Central Kentucky is going to take place for many, many years. So I'm very, very grateful for that. That work and that confidence in the investment that they're making $461 million will provide for flexibility for them to meet the needs of an ever-changing vehicle market, to give them the flexibility that they needed to do that and keep that plant as efficient and as relevant as it can be in the market in North America," explains Joe Pat Covington, Scott County Judge-Executive.