An automobile manufacturing facility in Madison County couldhave benefits in Brookhaven, especially if a local business orindustry is named as a product or services supplier for the newplant, chamber of commerce officials said.

Nissan, which last November announced plans to locate a $930million facility in Canton, is looking for companies to supply themwith products and services.

The governor’s office, the Mississippi Development Authority(MDA) and chambers of commerce are assisting in getting the word topotential suppliers to submit applications to Nissan. The deadlinefor Nissan to receive applications is Jan. 29.

Chandler Russ, chamber of commerce executive vice-president,urged Brookhaven businesses to consider applying.

“It’s a huge $930 million pie, and some of the suppliers willnot be in the immediate Jackson area,” Russ said. “We urge them toat least take a shot at getting their name in the hat as asupplier.”

Russ said business officials can come by the chamber office toget an application or go to the chamber’s website atbrookhavenchamber.com and click on important documents. Applicationinformation is also available at the state’smississippiandnissan.com website or at MDA regional offices, theclosest being in Summit.

In a letter to chamber officials earlier this week, Gov. RonnieMusgrove said Nissan represents a “tremendous opportunity” forstate businesses. He stressed that applications and businessinformation should be sent directly to Nissan and not to a chamberof commerce or state offices.

Musgrove said Nissan will review applications and determinewhich companies will be invited to a conference in Jackson the weekof Feb. 19-23.

Russ said there is a long list of production and non-productionsupplies needed for the Nissan facility. Neededmanufacturing-related items include various auto parts andequipment, packaging supplies, production aids, rubber and plasticmaterials and lubricants.

“On the non-production side, it could be anything from appareland uniforms to office supplies,” Russ said.

If chosen as a supplier, he said businesses would see thebenefits of increased sales and revenue, plus have a stablecustomer for future business activities. He indicated Brookhaven’sbeing only about an hour away from Canton could be a big plus forlocal businesses’ chances.

“We’re close enough to that facility to be able to supplywhatever services they need,” Russ said.