Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, Yokohama Tire Corporation president Hikomitsu Noji and Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum took part in formal announcement ceremonies Monday in West Point for Yokohamaâs new $300 million commercial truck tire plant that will begin operations in 2015. Bryant praised the active role of Keenum and MSU researchers in the long and delicate economic development courtship of the Japanese tire maker to locate in the Golden Triangle. The plant should bring 500 new jobs in the initial phase with the promise Yokohama has plans to expand in three additional phases, raising its investment to over $1 billion and job numbers to 2,000 over the next eight to 10 years.