Toyota will add 80 new jobs to its Buffalo, West Virginia plant
According to The Charleston Gazette, the plans are part of a capital investment totaling $90 million.
"Those are the kind of jobs West Virginia needs," Ruth Lemmon, West Virginia Automotive and Truck Dealers Association president told The Gazette. "Those 80 jobs translate into a lot of economic development for us."
In a statement to the The Gazette, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said the number of transmissions produced at the plant will quickly increase.
"In just two years' time, [Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia] team members will increase production from half a million transmissions to 740,000 transmissions each year," he said. "It's a huge undertaking, but I know they will rise to the challenge."
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D) W. Va said his promise of bringing a great workforce to Toyota's plant has been met.
"When I first visited with Toyota officials more than 30 years ago, I promised their investment in West Virginia would be met with the hardest and most dedicated workforce," he said. "Today's announcement validates that promise, and I thank Toyota for their ongoing support of our state."
Tomblin announced the news at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's annual summit at the Greenbrier resort Friday.
Four hundred million dollars was originally invested to build the plant which had 350 employees The Gazette reported. As it has grown and expanded throughout the years, the plant now employs over 1,300 people.
Lemmon said the addition of the new positions at the plant are signs of an improving economy.
"When you see a manufacturer like Toyota making such a substantial investment, it does give you reason to believe the economy is getting stronger and more stable," he said.
