New Toyota-Mazda Plant. Why not Florida?

[Sonic101]

Toyota and Mazda are in talks with many states to build a new plant as a joint venture between the two companies. Florida does appear to be one of them. Trouble is that they're reportedly looking for $1 billion in incentives. Does Florida have a shot at landing this then? Toyota has a significant presence at JAXPORT, which could sweeten the deal; But Florida never seems to even make the short list when it comes to landing these auto plants in the south, so what gives?

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/08/11/toyota-mazda-production-facility-may-zoom-into.html

The two companies are looking at 11 states, including Florida, for a new Toyota-Mazda assembly plant that would produce 300,000 units by 2021 for the North American market. At the new plant, Mazda expects to produce cross-over models and Toyota will produce the Corolla.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-13/toyota-mazda-are-said-to-seek-1-billion-package-for-u-s-plant

Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. are pressing for an incentive package of at least $1 billion from U.S. states trying to land their $1.6 billion joint car factory, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

[remc86007]

Not enough unemployed low-skill labor?

[thelakelander]

If they're considering giving Amazon billions, then they should consider this opportunity as well.  Evidently, that's the going rate these days for the transformational economic projects.

[acme54321]

But Florida never seems to even make the short list when it comes to landing these auto plants in the south, so what gives?

Cheap labor, cheap land, and other states are closer to the heartland so distribution costs less are my guesses.  As far as I know all of the plants in the south are mostly building "imports" for the domestic market.

[thelakelander]

Jax made the short list for a plant years ago. However, these types of deals require a ton of incentive money. Historically, Florida hasn't been willing to pony up the type of cash places like Alabama and South Carolina have thrown in the pot for auto plants. This is probably the main reason I doubt any of our cities end up on Amazon's short list.

[FlaBoy]

Jax made the short list for a plant years ago. However, these types of deals require a ton of incentive money. Historically, Florida hasn't been willing to pony up the type of cash places like Alabama and South Carolina have thrown in the pot for auto plants. This is probably the main reason I doubt any of our cities end up on Amazon's short list.

What about South Georgia? Kingsland? Georgia provide some incentives?

[thelakelander]

?? You mean Jax providing some incentives for a plant to be located in South Georgia?

[FlaBoy]

?? You mean Jax providing some incentives for a plant to be located in South Georgia?

I was just wondering if Brunswick/Kingsland had a chance at such things. Still a lot of jobs some on the Northside of town would be willing to drive to if 30-45 minutes away.