PK U.S.A., Inc., a supplier of automotive parts, announced the opening of a 200,000-square-foot facility in Senatobia at a press conference held in the Haraway Center on the Northwest campus April 14. According to the company spokesperson, the plant will employ approximately 150 workers.

Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, served as spokesperson at the press conference in the place of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour who was unable to make the announcement due to a transportation problem.

The plant will stamp and assemble metal components for automobiles. One of its biggest customers will be the Toyota plant now under construction near Tupelo. They also supply parts for the Nissan plant in Canton.

Minutes before the press conference Northwest President, Dr. Gary Lee Spears accepted a check for $15,000 to the college's Tool and Die Technology program. "We are very grateful to PK U.S.A. for this contribution to our students," said Dr. Spears.

According to Jerry Nichols, dean of Career and Technical education, the money will go directly for classroom instruction and equipment.

Eiji Umabayashi, the company president and chief executive officer, said he is "proud to call Senatobia our new Southern home."

Members of the Tate County Board of Supervisors, the Tate County Economic Development Foundation, representatives of law enforcement and the business community attended the press conference.