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Ford supports West Tennessee cities with Good Neighbor Plan

Rawls at opening
Brownsville Mayor Bills Rawls, far left, along with Ford and other local officials unveil the Ford Good Neighbor Plan at the Brownsville YMCA.

By KATE COIL

TT&C Assistant Editor

Ford groundbreaking Stanton Community Center
Officials with Ford and Stanton municipal leadership break ground on the new Ford Community Center in Stanton, to be housed in the former and historic Stanton School building. Built in 1948 to educate African American students before desegregation, the school will be renovated and upgraded to provide important services to community members focused on economic mobility, food security, physical mobility and entrepreneurship services.

The Ford Motor Company has announced $9 million charitable investments in Brownsville, Mason, and Stanton to improve the lives of residents surrounding its new Blue Oval City plant in Stanton.  

The $9 million announced as part of the Ford Good Neighbor Plan for West Tennessee is the largest charitable investment made in rural West Tennessee and is on top of $21 million Ford has already invested in the region.   

Plans for Brownsville include the reopening of a community pool and adding a new splash pad and a new early childcare center at the YMCA in Brownsville.  Brownsville Mayor Bill Rawls said the plan shows Ford’s commitment to the area and its growth.  

“It means we get some financial support and start to build a partnership with Ford to improve the quality of life of people not just in Brownsville but across West Tennessee,” Mayor Rawls said. “We have to coexist in this space that we call home. This is a long-term relationship. As we prepare for our future together, it is important that we communicate with each other and do what is best for both the people who already live here and the people who will move here.” 

Stanton Mayor Norman Bauer said Ford employees have already helped city leadership in organizing food drives through non-profit Stanton Feeding Haywood and have provided capitol to renovate the Stanton Cannery Cafe at the Stanton Cannery, a local business incubator. Bauer said Ford has also helped purchase much needed equipment for the Stanton Fire Department and is partnering with the United Way to build a Ford Community Center in Stanton.  

“Ford Motor Company has proven itself as a good neighbor to the Stanton community, located in the epicenter of its Blue Oval City, well before the announcement of their Good Neighbor Plan,” Mayor Bauer said. “Through conversations with our leadership and community, they have found areas that they jumped in. With other projects in work, Ford has truly shown themselves as Good Neighbors. 

Ford meeting
West Tennessee municipal officials and other local leaders meet with Ford in Jackson as part of the community engagement process. The Good Neighbor Plan is the result of ongoing public engagement between Ford and the communities in the Blue Oval City region to ensure all parties are working together and for the same goals. 

The Ford Good Neighbor Plan has also created an Equitable Growth Advisory Council made up of 30 community leaders that is working to identify and address barriers to equitable growth in communities around Blue Oval City who have helped identify key needs in social services, economic opportunity, and infrastructure for the area.   

Mayor Rawls is part of the Equitable Growth Council Ford created to help determine the best way forward for the communities in and around the Blue Oval Development.  

“We are creating a space and a future that is full of opportunity together,” he said. “The Good Neighbor Plan has resources there for farmers, family-owned property, people who need legal help, and financial literacy. They are also protecting heritage in addition to day-to-day lives. Ford made a major contribution to our Tina Turner statue that will be erected just across from where she went to school. Even before this plan was announced, they made a major contribution to our firefighter training facility. We continue to make investments in people because they are our biggest asset, and we thank Ford for being a partner in that.” 

Mayor Bauer said Ford has been involved with Stanton “since before the shovels hit the ground at Blue Oval City. 

“Representatives have been engaged with our community through listening sessions and their attendance at community events,” Mayor Bauer said. “They are interactive with the community with conversation and surveys.  It is evident that these conversations and surveys are reviewed as many of the comments are acted on.  For instance, last summer, community members completed a survey suggesting that the former Stanton Elementary School be used to establish a community center.  This past fall was the ground-breaking ceremony for the project.” 

The relocation of a major employer presents certain challenges – especially to smaller communities like Stanton – but Bauer said the relationships Ford is already building in the community show they want to help address those challenges.  

Ford Cannery Stanton
Ford officials work with local residents as part of the Stanton Cannery Cafe. The Stanton Cannery has been a cornerstone of the community for more than 40 years, allowing local residents to easily can and preserve their produce. The new cafe at the cannery both grows community and economic-know how as part of Ford's business incubator program. 

“Private sector companies, no matter the size, are likely to have some level of impact on the community.  The larger the company, the bigger the impact,” Bauer said. “With open dialog, companies can know the municipalities plans and requirements early, but, more importantly, the tough conversation is discussing the limits of the municipality to support the project.  Municipalities must plan for transportation improvements, emergency services, increased daily visitors, and increased housing.  Ongoing conversation is critical. It is my hope that, as the Blue Oval begins to operate, Stanton and our relationship with Ford will grow.  We hope that Ford remains a fixture in our community events and our communications continue to propel our community forward.” 

Outdoor pavilions for farmers markets and construction and renovations of community centers are planned in Stanton and Mason. A playground will also be built in Mason with plans for five more playgrounds located throughout Haywood County.   

Other initiatives the company will finance that will benefit all communities including:  

  • Helping residents with emergency rent, utility, and home repair needs   
  • Legal assistance for low-income families and individuals
  • Affordable transportation initiatives to expand rural transit
  • Entrepreneurship programs
  • Youth sports and science camps as well as music, arts, and cultural programs
  • Grants for community center facilities and programs
  • Funding for public safety officers and patrol cars
  • Fresh food investments
  • Heritage and culture preservation investments
  • Improved Hatchie River access and beautification funds
  • Funding for after-school programs, farmers' markets, and community gardens.  

Ford officials said investments will be rolled out in the next 12 to 18 months and that the company plans to continue working with local residents and community leaders as it is implemented.   

“Together, we are working to make sure the next chapter in this region’s story is about opportunity, while preserving and celebrating the vitality and culture that makes West Tennessee so special,” says Gabby Bruno, director of Community Relations at Ford.  

More in-depth information on the plan and how to apply for programs is available here.   

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