GUNTOWN, Miss. (AP) — An auto parts maker is investing $100 million to overhaul its northeast Mississippi factory, hiring 50 new workers.
Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi, ultimately owned by Toyota Motor Corp., announced the expansion Tuesday at its Guntown factory. It now employs 400.
The company, which makes body parts, says it's increasing production for the 2019 Corolla model being assembled at Toyota's nearby Blue Springs plant.
Mississippi Development Authority Spokeswoman Tammy Craft says Lee County property tax breaks will save the company about $1 million yearly for 10 years. The state is giving $100,000 to train workers.
Craft says the expansion is under way with hiring finishing by December. One labor agency says workers start at $11 per hour. Craft says workers transitioning to the company payroll make $13.90 an hour on average.