In 2014, Toyota, the world’s top automaker, announced plans to invest $28 million in expansion of its Ann Arbor operations and an additional $126 million towards the expansion of Toyota’s powertrain operations at its Ann Arbor campus and the consolidation of vehicle development operations at a new facility on its York Township campus.
Financial Impact:
Toyota announced the creation of 250 jobs in the next five years with their Ann Arbor operations expansion and an additional 85 jobs that will be relocated to Michigan from California.
Employment Impact:
Toyota invested more than $180 million in their Ann Arbor area facilities in 2014.
Industry Impact:
As part of Toyota’s announcement to establish new headquarters in North Dallas (Plano), Texas for its North American operations, Toyota Technical Center facilities are expanding in Southeast Michigan to accommodate increased investment in its engineering and product development capabilities.
Toyota received a $4 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant and is being considered for a 12-year property tax abatement (values at $4.6 million) from York Charter Ann Arbor SPARK also assisted with the application process, including helping Toyota secure letters of support and review tax information and has been active in the company’s efforts to relocate and hire talent in the region. SPARK’s work has included trips to Toyota’s Erlanger, Ky., facility, from which the company is relocating staff. SPARK also led tours of employees visiting Michigan as they considered relocation. In support of its efforts to promote the region to Toyota employees considering relocation here, Ann Arbor SPARK also leveraged its relationships with community partners. As part of its marketing efforts, Ann Arbor SPARK worked with the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, Ypsilanti Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce, Washtenaw Intermediate School District, and local units of government.
