WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved $2 million in funding to improve water infrastructure necessary to sustain the Blue Springs Toyota plant and its 2,000 expected jobs, U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker said.  The funding, approved by the department’s Economic Development Administration, was awarded to the Pontotoc Union Lee Alliance. 

"Without this important funding, Northeast Mississippi could not supply the areas around the future Toyota plant with the volume of water needed for the establishment and operation of new businesses,” Sen. Cochran said.  “I am pleased the federal government has recognized this critical need and provided assistance."

Sen. Wicker added: “This $2 million in funding is an investment in our economy and will help support jobs and continued economic development in our region.  Providing the infrastructure for the Blue Springs Toyota plant ensures there will be well-paying jobs that provide steady paychecks for workers and families in Northern Mississippi.”  

The funding supports construction of new water infrastructure running from the city of Tupelo to the Wellspring industrial site, capable of delivering 2 million gallons of water a day to a higher elevation. The water is essential to the operation of the new Toyota plant in Blue Springs.

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