CANTON - Both sides are claiming victory in the final battle of the Nissan land war, but only one camp is celebrating.
After weeks of intense negotiations, the state and a handful of reluctant landowners agreed to terms late last week on several acres of land needed for the $930 million Nissan assembly plant in Canton.
The state and two other parties couldn't reach a settlement after months of offers, counteroffers and court proceedings. The state decided to dismiss lawsuits and allow them to remain on their land, which is at the fringe of the plant site.
So ended a bitter, 14-month fight that included charges of racism and bad-faith negotiations and garnered headlines in national publications because of the state's use of eminent domain, a legal procedure that allows governments to take private property for public use.
The Mississippi Development Authority was low key in announcing the resolution Friday, calling it a "win-win situation." MDA released financial details but said little else.
"We're moving forward with the creation of jobs," MDA spokeswoman Sherry Vance said Tuesday, referring to the 4,000 people Nissan is expected to hire and the anticipated 26,000 jobs at spin-off businesses. "This is in the past," she said.
Some landowners are taking a different approach.
Today, the Archies and Bouldins - two families who tussled with the state - their lawyers and community supporters will hold a celebration in Jackson.
"It's a great thing for my family," said Lonzo Archie, whose father, Andrew, moved to the Canton property as a boy more than 60 years ago. The state was trying to acquire 24 acres from 69-year-old Andrew Archie and 1 acre from his son.
"My father's been ill, and when he got the news, that's the first time I've seen a smile on his face in awhile," Lonzo Archie said Tuesday.
Nissan will redesign the project around the Archie properties. The company couldn't immediately say how much the extra work would cost.
The state has spent more than $32 million buying about 1,500 acres from 60-plus landowners for the plant, which was announced in November 2000 and is scheduled to open next year.
In February 2001, after some landowners refused to sell, the state sued.
One highly publicized case was settled in January when Madison County landowner Tom Hixon agreed to sell the state 88 acres for $1.4 million, or $15,909 an acre. The state was seeking 347 acres.
Copyright 2002, Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
