Toyota in West Michigan?

[GaryP]

http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/inde...5670.xml&coll=6

This would be great; too bad it's total speculation.

[monsoon]

A Toyota plant in Michigan would be just short of remarkable.

[GaryP]

The sand for casting engine blocks comes from the lakeshore. Maybe that will help

[snoogit]

I thought this was a done deal, and was going to Flint?

[Rizzo]

Gee, you can't beat free land!

[GaryP]

Gee, you can't beat free land!

I know. I hopefully they can see beyond that.

Also, I think Toyota would be smart to get into michigan right now after Ford and GM are finally conceding market share and shrinking their size. Toyota could pick up some choice automotive talent.

[Rizzo]

I think we also have a plus, we are union unfriendly!

[GRDadof3]

I think I mentioned this before, but my bet is that if it does come to West Michigan, it will be along the I-94 NAFTA Corridor in Kzoo or Battle Creek. Especially if they are looking at supplying engines to Indiana and Canada.

[GR8scott]

I think I mentioned this before, but my bet is that if it does come to West Michigan, it will be along the I-94 NAFTA Corridor in Kzoo or Battle Creek. Especially if they are looking at supplying engines to Indiana and Canada.

yeah the kalamazoo gazette makes it sound like granholm is pushing for it to come here with the cooridoor, the closed GM plant and the colleges

[Rizzo]

What is here in GR that would make us a better choice? If we don't have what Toyota needs, isn't it a waste of time to parade in front of them expecting them to not see through us?

[grcitydog]

I think it depends what they're looking for. If it's just the geography, (along the I-94 corridor) there's not a lot we can do about that, but if it's engineering and manufacturing talent and a ready workforce, then I think we are right there with the best of them. BTW, would the soon-to-be vacated Steelcase plant on Eastern and 36th be too small? Does anyone know how much land they are looking for?

[Rizzo]

You know, I wonder if this ties into the property south along Market and 131...?

[GR8scott]

highly unlikely that they would consider building a plant downtown along the river with limited space

[snoogit]

highly unlikely that they would consider building a plant downtown along the river with limited space

and spending close to $40 million for the land? I cant see that happening.

[Rizzo]

No Grand Rapids would offer it for free.

[snoogit]

I think we also have a plus, we are union unfriendly!

... thats not always a plus...

[Prankster]

My money is on a Battle Creek location. With I94, Denso located there, and the geographic size of the Custer Industrial Park, it would make for a very logical location.

[GRDadof3]

You know, I wonder if this ties into the property south along Market and 131...?

Toyota would need a chunk of land about 10x bigger than that. I think they said 160+ acres.

[GaryP]

I think it depends what they're looking for. If it's just the geography, (along the I-94 corridor) there's not a lot we can do about that, but if it's engineering and manufacturing talent and a ready workforce, then I think we are right there with the best of them. BTW, would the soon-to-be vacated Steelcase plant on Eastern and 36th be too small? Does anyone know how much land they are looking for?

I think the 131 extension to the 80/90 turnpike in Indiana would have helped our chances, but if they go to Battle Creek that's A-ok with me .

As for the Steelcase plant, yes it would be way too small. Even if it were perfect Toyota would still build its own facility. They are picky about that.

[Rizzo]

I didn't realise how big of sn area they would need.

[Nitro]

The sand for casting engine blocks comes from the lakeshore. Maybe that will help

Environmentally, that is a tragedy. The dune sand needs to stay where it is.

[GaryP]

Tom Walsh from the Freep says Toyota is getting scared away by the UAW

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...ESS01/601200452

[GRDadof3]

My rating was not reflection on you Gary, but I'm tired of hearing about Toyota. I feel used. Either you (Toyota) want to go out with me or not. I'm not going to beg.

[GaryP]

I totally understand your sentiment and feel the same way about certain topics. But in regards to the use of voting, isn't this already a miss use? If we start voting this way, won't topics about things like casinos or politics be rated by people opinions about the topics in general? Eventually I think this rating system is going to become a popularity contest for different threads. We don't like Moch, so we're gonna rate his threads 1 star, but we do like Eric so he's gonna get 5s.

[torgo]

I would rate things by how interesting you think the topics are. Whether we agree with or like the developer/development shouldn't matter. At least thats what I think