While Mississippi legislators were busy considering and approving a financial incentive package to support Yokohama Rubber Co.’s plans to build a tire plant in that state, some lawmakers tried to take care of the state’s original tire resident.
Rep. Steve Holland (D-Plantersville) and Brian Aldridge (R-Tupelo) tried unsuccessfully to amend the incentive bill to add some of the same incentives to help the Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in Tupelo.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Smith (R-Columbus) suggested the House take up the matter at a later date when they had a better understanding of “Cooper’s needs,” according to reports.
Cooper’s plant in Tupelo employs some 1,600, and the two legislators attempted to land sales tax exemptions on equipment purchases for Cooper.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal quoted Holland as saying, "I can tell you with mathematical certainty that Cooper wants to relocate its headquarters" from Ohio to Tupelo. Given the history of the company, such a move is considered highly unlikely, especially in light of the major investments Cooper is making at its Findlay facilities.
Regardless of Holland’s theatrics, it appears likely that Cooper could benefit by Mississippi’s investment in YRC’s plant.
