Triad Megasite Could Be A Top Competitor For Toyota-Mazda Plant

North Carolina is one of two states short-listed for a new automotive manufacturing plant, and experts say the Triad could have a solid chance at landing the deal.

Bloomberg first reported this week that a joint Toyota-Mazda facility would bring a $1.6 billion investment and 4,000 jobs to the region the companies choose.

The competition is down to two states: Alabama and North Carolina.

Triad leaders are almost certainly hoping the long-touted Greensboro-Randolph Megasite is one of the top spots under consideration for the project.

Katie Arcieri at the Triad Business Journal says the region's transportation network, education resources and workforce make the Piedmont attractive for a big manufacturing outfit. The same goes for the regulatory environment.

“North Carolina has not had a major auto plant before, so a lot of observers have said that Toyota-Mazda would have the upper hand on regulations surrounding auto plants, you know, instead of just being another auto plant in another state,” Arcieri says.

Greensboro-Randolph megasite leaders recently added more than 300 acres to the development to fill in gaps left by unpurchased land there. The site is now roughly 1,900 acres.

Observers have noticed increased activity near the megasite in recent weeks, including the presence of more helicopters, vans and tents – a sign that someone is taking a serious look at the property.

For Toyota-Mazda, the ultimate decision may come down not only to finding the right site, but finding the right incentives. The companies appear to be looking for at least one billion dollars in tax breaks and other incentives from state and local governments.

Still, the Triad site has competition from a handful of similar megasites around the state, not to mention sites in Alabama, which has a history of winning projects like this.

Toyota and Mazda are expected to announce the winning site early next year, with an aim to open the plant in 2021.