BLUE SPRINGS – Toyota made it official Thursday morning – Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi will be producing the company’s popular Corolla compact sedan at the Blue Springs plant by fall, 2011.

It’s a decision that will benefit Ripley and Tippah County, several local officials said this week.

Ripley Mayor Kerry W. Hill and Tippah County Dist. 3 Supervisor Ronnie Dunnam were among a delegation from Ripley and Tippah which attended the Thursday meeting.

Said Hill Friday morning: “It’s a magnificent development for all Mississippi, especially North Mississippi. Activating the Toyota plant will also benefit all the other manufacturers that are necessary for the building of a car.

“This is one of the reasons I’ve worked diligently since I’ve been in office to expedite the Highway 15 situation. They recently broke ground in New Albany for the four-laning work.

“Locally, as we speak, our folks are getting signatures for easements to move our utility lines from Moore’s Mill Road all the way to Falkner. The city should be authorized in about 90 days from now to move our utility lines that are involved in the four-laning work.

“Contractors will move the lines at no cost to the city, thanks to an arrangement between Highway Commissioner Bill Minor, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the City of Ripley. Doing that will free our people up to continue to give good service to our customers. “

Said Dunnam: “When this plant starts it will benefit everyone in this part of the county. When the plant reaches full production, it will likely employ several thousand people, and some of those people will come from Tippah County.

“Toyota will have to have Tier 1,2, or 3 suppliers from adjoining counties to supply parts for their vehicles. What we hope will happen is that we’ll be able to land a plant in Tippah County to supply their needs.”

Thursday’s announcement was made to a standing room only crowd of about 900 people at the Blue Springs facility.

TMMS was originally set to build the Highlander SUV at the facility, starting this year, but Toyota changed it to the Prius Hybrid in July 2008. Following a worldwide economic downturn, Toyota said in mid-December 2008 it would indefinitely delay the opening of the plant.