The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 1/28/9
Despite some grumbling by its members, the Mississippi House passed by a 117-4 margin Tuesday legislation designed to ensure Cooper Tire keeps its Tupelo plant open.
House Ways and Means Chairman Percy Watson, D-Hattiesburg, told House members the legislation “is a time-sensitive economic development proposal.” Watson said it will ensure that 1,200 jobs, at an average salary of $45,000 annually, remain in Tupelo and may entice Cooper to place 40-50 more jobs at the Tupelo site.
The measure entails an incentive package the state offered to Cooper Tire last year when company officials were determining which of its North American plants to close. The company ultimately decided to shut down its Albany, Ga., operation.
Rep. Gary Staples, R-Laurel, asked, “How many more companies around the state are we going to bail out?”
