The Ledger and Journal expands with their coverage of the Toyota delay/hiatus.

My question is this: does the state and local governments get to recoup any of the monies they sunk into the building that is 90% done? Do you risk good will by asking?

According to the Ledger, Blue Springs is on hold. The plant is almost complete.

Quote from the article:

“We are committed to completing the Mississippi plant when market conditions allow,” said Lacy Luckett, spokeswoman for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi.

Steve Rogers weighs in on how he is feeling much better now that the powers that be in Columbus are on the same page for economic development.

A few things from his column.

He is very happy (and less cynical) that the  Lowndes County leaders held an economic summit (without inviting anyone from the surrounding counties) to get their agendas matched up and on the same page.  I find this funny, because he ripped into Starkville/MSU leaders for getting together a few months ago without inviting anyone else from the Triangle.  Double standard?

He also reported this nugget:

But when the proposal came up during Monday’s discussion, interest suddenly was renewed, especially with Starkville on the verge of possibly building it’s own center that could render the Trotter obsolete.

“If we let Starkville build, then we’re out,” CVB Director James Tsismanakis told the group as interest peaked.

“We either need to do something or get out of the convention business, he added, linking that project to two pending proposals — Mark Castlebury’s plan to build a new office build on Third Street South at College Street and a developer’s proposal to buy the Gilmer Inn, tear it down and replace it with a modern hotel.

I love the “if we let Starkville build, then we’re out” quote in relation to the proposed (and now appears underway) Cotton Mills convention center vs. the Trooter Center in Columbus.  Sound like we need to ask someone’s permission before we make any plans.