Toyota officials would not confirm Sunday's report in a Tokyo newspaper that the automaker would begin production in mid-2011 at its Blue Springs assembly plant. But the company's statement that it has not made a decision did nothing to lessen confidence that production eventually will start at the Union County site.

Toyota announced its plans to build a 2,000-employee assembly plant at the PUL Alliance's Wellspring Site adjacent to U.S. Highway 78 at the Blue Springs exit three years ago - Feb. 27, 2007 - at the peak of the company's North American sales and before the Great Recession undercut almost all car makers' sales.

Toyota changed the model it planned to make at Blue Springs (Highlander to Prius), then indefinitely delayed production in late 2008. The company, even in its difficulty with safety recalls, has not said or hinted that the Blue Springs plant would be abandoned.

Politicians in both parties and economic development officials consistently have said they expect Toyota to fulfill its commitment at the site, a development partnership of the PUL Alliance, comprised of Pontotoc, Union and Lee counties.

Gov. Haley Barbour, U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, and Tupelo Mayor Jack Reed are among the elected officials who have expressed strong optimism that Toyota would build cars in Mississippi.

Tuesday, in a telephone interview, Vernon R. "Randy" Kelley IIII, executive director of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District, a facilitator of the PUL Alliance's work, said he is "cautiously excited" about timely action by Toyota, adding that nothing is final until the PUL Alliance board and Toyota confirm a schedule.

Continuing, general optimism among officials, developers and civic leaders adds urgency for passage of pending highway construction legislation that would speed roads crucial to the Toyota plant's and suppliers' success.

Bond bills totaling $300 million have passed the House and Senate, but they differ in particulars and seem likely to go to a joint conference committee to iron out differences between Senate and House versions.

We support a new four-lane Mississippi Highway 9 from Mississippi 6 at Pontotoc to U.S. 78 at Sherman, where a frontage road to the Toyota plant begins.

We also support upgrading Mississippi 348 from Highway 9 north of Blue Springs to Guntown, near a major Toyota supplier in the Harry A. Martin North Lee Industrial Park in Baldwyn.

Toyota and its network of suppliers are an essential component in Northeast Mississippi's future focus.

Optimum benefit from anticipated new jobs and spinoff businesses can be best achieved if all the provisions for which Mississippi is responsible can be in place as production begins.