UPDATE: March 23 at 5:30 p.m. Toyota is celebrating 40 years in the Commonwealth this year, and as part of those festivities, it is announcing a $1 billion investment in the region.On Monday, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), along with state and local leaders, celebrated the milestone."This feels pretty good doesn't it? And I was just thinking, 'How good?' Today I feel about $800 million bucks," said Gov. Andy Beshear.Toyota made a home in Kentucky in 1986 with the extraordinary help of then-Governor Martha Layne Collins. It's now the largest Toyota manufacturing plant in the world.Toyota Kentucky will get $800 million to prepare the plant for its second battery electric vehicle and will also prepare to make more Camrys and RAV4s. Toyota Indiana will receive the remaining $200 million to go toward making more Grand Highlanders.It is all in an effort to help Toyota remain flexible and competitive in a changing vehicle market."This is a generational plant. I want families whose kids are just now going to school -- I want them to come here and make Toyota a career because it's a great company to work for," said TMMK President Kerry Creech.Toyota Kentucky also announced $4 million in donations to support its "Driving Possibilities" program in Fayette and Scott County schools, which helps with career readiness and STEM learning resources in the districts."We're growing, we're going to continue to grow. In my opinion, it's important to have a great partner who wants to invest in your school system, invest in your people, to offer them opportunities to learn and grow. Just very thankful for the investment," said Scott County Judge/Executive Joe Pat Covington.An additional $400,000 will go to the manufacturing engineering program at Eastern Kentucky University."We want to make it easy for our team members to get an education because it does nothing but help them in their careers and us in our company. And as technology is changing, we have to have more and more technical folks working here with us," said Creech.Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky employs around 10,000 team members.Original Story:Gov. Andy Beshear and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky leaders announced an $800 million investment to prepare the Georgetown plant for its second battery electric vehicle.The announcement celebrates 40 years of Toyota manufacturing in the commonwealth. In addition to the plant investment, Toyota will donate a combined $4.4 million to Fayette and Scott County Schools and Eastern Kentucky University to help advance the next generation workforce and U.S. manufacturing.Kentucky changed for the better 40 years ago when Toyota chose to make Georgetown its New Kentucky Home, and I am proud to say that partnership remains strong with the companys investment of $800 million at this site and the additional $4.4 million going toward our future workforce, Andy Beshear said.Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is Toyotas largest vehicle manufacturing plant in the world, producing over 15 million vehicles since its doors opened and benefiting Kentuckians through good jobs and a strong economy. Today, were building on that success to ensure the future remains bright for this company and our commonwealth, Beshear said.The $800 million investment is part of Toyotas November 2025 commitment to invest up to $10 billion in U.S. manufacturing over five years. The funding will further Toyotas multipathway approach to electrification by preparing the plant for its second battery electric vehicle. It also allows the plant to increase production capacity of the Camry and RAV4.Todays celebration and announcement follow a $1.3 billion investment made in February 2024, which last month was revealed to support the companys all-new 2027 electric Highlander.At Toyota, manufacturing has always been about more than building vehicles, its about investing in people and our communities, Kerry Creech said.For 40 years, weve been proud to call Kentucky home. That pride comes from our incredible team members and from the strong partnerships weve built across this great state. Together, theyre the reason weve succeeded and continue to grow, Creech said.Beshear encouraged Toyotas continued investment and job creation in Kentucky during an economic development trip to Japan and South Korea in July 2024. During the visit, he met with company leaders to discuss active and prospective projects and promoted the commonwealths strengths in supporting the continued growth of international companies.The Georgetown operation is Toyotas largest production facility globally, currently employing approximately 10,000 team members. Opened in 1988, more than 15 million vehicles have rolled off the assembly lines, including the Camry. Current production capacity is approximately 550,000 vehicles and 600,000 engines annually, with more than 350 suppliers nationwide, including over 100 in Kentucky.In 2006, the facility was Toyotas first plant in the United States to manufacture hybrid electric vehicles and later was selected to assemble fuel cell modules for use in hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty commercial trucks. The plant plays a critical role in Toyotas global electrification strategy, with a goal to offer electric or hybrid versions of every vehicle model by 2025.Since making Kentucky home nearly four decades ago, Toyota has made more than $154 million in local donations. ...read more read less