The announcement that the $1.6 billion joint venture between Toyota and Mazda would be located in Alabama has attracted the attention of the country. lgore@al.com

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William Thornton | wthornton@al.com

The new automotive plant – located in a Huntsville-annexed areas of Limestone County – will eventually produce 300,000 vehicles a year and employ 4,000 people with an average salary of $50,000.

Here’s what they are saying around the country about Alabama's big economic development win:

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Reuters

Toyota, Mazda announce $1.6 billion plant for Huntsville, Alabama

What they're saying: "Among U.S. states, Alabama is already the fifth largest producer of cars and light trucks. The state has more than 150 major auto suppliers and 57,000 automotive manufacturing jobs."

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Greensboro News & Record

As Alabama gets Toyota-Mazda plant, we're left asking: Why?

What they're saying: "The news — and some hearts — broke late Tuesday afternoon. Alabama, specifically a site in Huntsville, had been selected for the new factory. A formal announcement will be coming today and with it, maybe someone will explain why we lost."

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News & Observer

NC offered $1.5 billion. Toyota-Mazda said no thanks

What they're saying: "On Wednesday, Toyota and Mazda officials said they had chosen Huntsville, Ala., as the site for their jobs-rich auto plant. The decision stunned and disappointed those who have been trying for five months to bring the plant to Randolph County."

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Charlotte Observer

NC loses out on major Toyota plant

What they’re saying: “North Carolina lost out because it does not have the supply chain logistics that the car companies want, according to one of the sources. The winning state was not disclosed but for months Alabama has been seen as the only rival to North Carolina for the project.”

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WRAL.com

Toyota, Mazda bypass NC for auto plant

What they're saying: "A so-called "mega-site" near the Guilford-Randolph county line was a finalist for the operation, and although North Carolina officials were bitterly disappointed they couldn't reel in the whale of all economic development projects, they had already turned the page by Wednesday afternoon and were looking toward landing the next project."

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WUNC.org

Why Toyota-Mazda Passed On NC, And Why That May Be A Good Thing

What they're saying:"I think politicians get a little carried away. They want a very tangible victory, trying to secure a big win and say they are bringing a lot of jobs to the area. But the evidence that I've seen in economics is very mixed on whether these actually have long-term benefits for the community," he said. "You know, 4,000 jobs sounds like a lot – and it is – but at the expense of $1.5 billion-plus in incentives, you have to weigh some of those costs and benefits, and it's not clear-cut whether it actually makes sense to be in these competitions."

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WSOCTV

Miss makes North Carolina 0-for-25-years in luring carmakers

What they're saying: "A decision Wednesday by Toyota and Mazda to build a joint car factory in Alabama instead of North Carolina was received as another economic miss for one of the few Southeast states never to land a modern carmaker."

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Fox News

Toyota and Mazda choose Alabama for new factory

What they're saying: "Toyota and Mazda have said their collaboration will respect mutual independence and equality. Toyota, which makes the Prius hybrid, Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models, already provides hybrid technology to Mazda, which makes compact cars for Toyota at its Mexico plant."

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ABC News

New Toyota-Mazda plant will bring 4,000 jobs to Alabama

What they're saying: "The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment since the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states."

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New York Times

Toyota, Mazda pick Alabama for $1.6 billion plant

What they're saying: "Toyota and Mazda are moving forward with the plant at a time when new-vehicle sales in the United States have started to decline. Total sales fell 1.8 percent in 2017, to 17.2 million, ending a seven-year run of growth. Analysts forecast further declines in 2018 and 2019."

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Forbes

President Trump gets his wish: A new Toyota-Mazda factory in Alabama

What they're saying: "The plant would be a big win for President Donald Trump, who has goaded automakers for not producing enough of their cars in America and threatened to slap tariffs on imported vehicles."

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Los Angeles Times

Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama

What they're saying: "Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet."

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CNBC

New Toyota-Mazda plant boosts Alabama's influence in the auto industry

What they're saying: "With the announcement of Toyota and Mazda planning to build a new final assembly plant in Huntsville, the state of Alabama is flexing its muscle and influence in the U.S. auto industry."

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Bloomberg

Toyota and Mazda’s $1.6 Billion Alabama Plant Leaves Room to Expand

What they're saying: "The prized $1.6 billion car factory awarded to Alabama by Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. could be an even bigger win than expected, as the site's size leaves plenty of room for future expansions."