/Continental could make Mississippi a major player in global tire market

Continental could make Mississippi a major player in global tire market

Thursday morning saw the ground being broken at the new site of Continental Tire’s latest manufacturing plant. It is the largest construction project in Continental Tire’s history of 145 years. Nikolai Setzer is a member the Continental AG’s executive board’s tire division. He pointed out that the $1.45 billion investment would represent a substantial portion of the company’s approximately $40 million in U.S. Sales. For nearly two years, Mississippi’s political and economic development officials kept the plans for the facility secret. Mississippi insiders called the secret plans “Project Potter,” while Continental officials called it “Project Diamond”. Setzer laughed at the groundbreaking ceremony in west Hinds County, near Clinton. The information about the project was leaked in the early 2016 before the legislative session. The incentive package was approved by state and local leaders in the early days. It is estimated that it cost $600 million. Continental reached a deal with Mississippi to create 2,500 jobs, paying an average salary of $40,000 annually. Continental stated that it requires a new plant in order to meet the demand of its customers. These include auto dealers from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Paul Williams, an executive vice president at Continental, said, “When we chose Mississippi, we realized that the site was important.” “In the end we make a decision based upon the community. We decided that we wanted Hinds County, and that we wanted to be part of Mississippi.” The plans call for a 5.2-million square-foot industrial facility on land in the 16th section that was previously owned by the Clinton School District. There has been some controversy surrounding the project. Local residents requested covenants early on to prevent noise pollution and other air pollution from being allowed on the site. Local residents raised concerns about the existence of cemeteries at the site in August. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History compiled a cultural-assets report on the site in 2014. It mentions New Salem, a cemetery located on the almost 900-acre tract just north of Clinton. The report notes that the headstones match the 19th-century planter-class, and that there are unmarked graves that could be slaves of white people who were buried on the grounds. According to Mississippi Today and other media outlets, African Americans reported that there was an all-black cemetery located across the road from the existing cemetery. According to Jeff Rent, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Development Authority (Mississippi Today), work crews excavated both ends of the road but did not find any graves on the old road. Rent stated that the Bolton Cemetery will be the final resting place for all other graves. Rent stated that they didn’t want to offend anyone or leave anything out. A second controversy occurred in recent weeks when media outlets reported on the fact that Continental had awarded the first site clearing contract to a Georgia-based company. Gov. Phil Bryant, the governor of Mississippi, told reporters that contractors would hire Mississippi workers. Many of these workers are staying in Clinton hotels near the site. Bennie Thompson (a U.S. Representative) appealed for more involvement from local contractors and minorities. He said, “Let’s get it done.” Continental plans to open the plant in 2018.