Ford Motor Company teams up with Jackson business for economic development. See what it is
It's only been a few months since Richard Bradley unveiled his dream of a $30 million mixed-use development, anchored by a trade school.
Now, Ford Motor Company has signed on to a be a partner to help get workers across the Southeast.
Bradley's Metro Booming Training Academy and Ford are launching an Automotive Career Exploration program to stimulate job growth and workforce development.
Through the program at Metro Booming Training Academy’s auto and diesel center, Ford hopes to hire Metro Booming students for high-paying jobs at Mac Haik Ford in North Jackson.
Initially, according to Bradley, Ford will hire eight technicians from the academy, with plans to increase that number each year. The automobile company will hire some 2,673 technicians in its Memphis region this year, which staffs nearly 200 dealerships across the Southeast. Nationwide, Ford has hired more than 46,000 technicians through the program at its nearly 3,000 dealerships.
"We are moving forward in Mississippi. and Jackson is moving forward," said Bradley, who also owns the nightclub and restaurant M Bar in Jackson. "Actually, when Ford read about our plans last year, the reached out to Mack Haik Ford here in Jackson, and everyone was interested."
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Bradley said all of this is part of dream of his to help to revitalize West Jackson.
A3 Consulting and the Hinds County Economic Development Authority are helping with the initial project that is being called The Jackson Yards.
Anchoring The Jackson Yards is the Metro Booming Training Academy. There will also be new businesses and affordable housing at the 201 N. Green Ave location in West Jackson.
“Metro Booming Training Academy was launched to meet a need, creating thousands of in-demand jobs across Jackson, the state and nationwide," said Bradley, who is also the founder and owner of A3 Consulting. "The Jackson Yards will fuel the engines of economic and workforce development and revitalization — a gateway to prosperity.”
His vision is already paying dividends.
“Ford Motor Company is incredibly excited to partner with Mac Haik Ford and Metro Booming Training Academy on this new ACE school sponsorship,” said Heather Brant, Ford’s Memphis region service performance manager. “We know that a customer’s vehicle is one of the most important assets in their life and ensuring it is always on the road requires new Ford technicians. Metro Booming will be a wonderful addition to our ACE technician training program.”
In the program, students can choose from more than 65 online courses on various topics that certified Ford/Lincoln technicians use, including new model training, electrical system engineering, steering and suspension and history of the Ford Motor Company. Courses are continually updated on the latest new technologies and vehicles.
"They couldn't believe we were doing something like this in Jackson," Bradley said. "You always hear about the negative things going on in Jackson, but I guess when Ford saw what we were doing, it was positive and they wanted to be a part of helping the underserved part of the community."
After an official press conference Tuesday, Bradley said it will take about a month to get things rolling.
"We are getting everything in order with our certifications and such," Bradley said. "But I could see everything officially kicking off the first of June. We will be ready to open the doors."
Since the original launch in September, Bradley has already placed the program's initial students with a forklift services through the state. He has also begun his affordable-housing initiative and has purchased another four acres adjacent to the original property in West Jackson for expansion that he believes is on the horizon.
"We have started work on a 70,000 square-foot facility over there and we are going to build out what is already there," he said. "We don't know exactly what we will need it for just yet, but we know we are going to be growing within the next couple of years."
Jackson Mayor Antar Chokwe Lumumba has been on board with this project since the beginning.
“This is a game-changing partnership that will strengthen the city of Jackson and beyond by providing essential and necessary workforce development that drives innovation, job growth and business success,” Lumumba said. “Having Ford, one of the world’s most iconic brands, as a partner will continue to bring prosperity and economic vitality to our community."
If you have a story idea, Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or at 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS business teams up with Ford Motor Company
