Toyota Breaks Ground On North American Headquarters
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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - One of the world's top companies has officially established deep roots in North Texas. Toyota broke ground Tuesday on its North American headquarters in Plano. It's just the beginning of a lot of changes for Collin County.
When it came to the groundbreaking ceremony, simple shovels weren't going to cut it.
"One thing that I've learned since I've been in Texas is you do everything just a little bit bigger here," Toyota North America Region CEO James Lentz said just as a Texas-built Toyota Tundra with a plow strapped to its grill drove across the field and dug into the dirt.
Plano's mayor was on hand with the promise of big numbers on his mind.
"Just over the next ten years it could represent about $140 million of sales tax and property tax revenue alone, and about $7.2 billion in direct and indirect revenue," Mayor Harry LaRosiliere said.
Toyota's Texas headquarters is expected to employee 4000 people. Terri Von Lehmden is one of the first group of workers to make the move, and she has some advice for future transplants.
"Texas orientation, probably nothing more than just be ready to be charmed and to be overwhelmed all at the same time, 'cause that is that southern hospitality that they talk about but truly isn't for the feint of heart," Von Lehmden said.
Alba Reyes made the move from New York in August.
"Everything's definitely bigger in Texas. That's for sure. The people are definitely nicer," Reyes said.
She's already on the hunt for her first pair of Texas footwear.
"I'm still doing my research. Hopefully I can find a place that I can get a nice pair of cowgirl boots, but I still have to figure out where that is."
They may not sell cowgirl boots, but boutiques like Julep in the nearby Shops At Legacy are among the many local business eager to please the thousands of new workers.
"Well, it can't be anything but good for us," Julep's Susan Lindner said.
CEO Jim Lentz tells us they have about 50 employees at their temporary headquarters right now. They expect to bring in several hundred more by the end of this year and continue to increase those numbers through the end of 2016.
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