Gibson County seeks TIF revenue for $1.25 million Toyota project

They'll make the request to the Gibson County Redevelopment Commission Aug. 7 for use of $1.25 million in Tax Increment Finance district revenue captured in the Toyota TIF district to do the infrastructure work.

Toyota spokesman Mike Wingo told commissioners Tuesday that breaking a berm separating Tulip Tree Drive from the internal plant road by north parking lot, which is used by west assembly plant workers, will provide room for three lanes of traffic leaing the lot and two lanes entering the lot.

Adding the lanes and a traffic signal will reduce serious safety issues with the congestion that sometimes backs vehicles up onto Tulip Tree Drive. "It can be very hectic and very chaotic," Wingo told commissioners.

Toyota wants to get the work completed this year to ease the traffic safety issues.

The county has performed some traffic safety improvements on Tulip Tree Drive that are being completed this week during the plant's summer shutdown.

Commissioners agreed to endorse the project and refer it to the redevelopment board early next month "so we can get this thing rolling and make it happen this year," said commissioner Steve Bottoms.