By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
Jan. 23, 2001
Meridian-area businesses hoping to supply the Nissan truck manufacturing plant in Madison County with products and services get a first glimpse today of how they may connect with the automotive giant.
Officials with the Mississippi Development Authority, the state's economic development agency, scheduled an 11:30 a.m. press conference at Meridian's Union Station as part of the initial effort to inform companies how to become potential Nissan suppliers.
Other stops were planned for Gulfport, Tupelo, Greenville, Southhaven and Hattiesburg.
On Monday, state officials said the opportunities for potential suppliers in Mississippi are vast and more than 41,000 Mississippi companies may potentially qualify to do business with Nissan. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove said Nissan needs suppliers for a wide range of items, from auto parts to linen and plumbing services.
He said companies have until Jan. 29 to get applications to Nissan. Nissan will review the applications and decide which companies to invite to a suppliers' conference in Jackson during the week of Feb. 19.
Nissan Motor Co. announced last November the location of a $930 million plant near Canton to build trucks, minivans and sports utility vehicles.
Jones said it was important for local businesses to know about the opportunities that exist with a large manufacturer such as Nissan.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.