Alexandria, LA Misses Out On Tire Plant

Alexandria came close — but missed out on a $500 million tire plant expected to create 1,600 jobs. 

Continental Tire the Americas LLC announced Thursday that it will construct the plant in Sumter, South Carolina.

Louisiana economic development chief Stephen Moret said Alexandria was in the top three for the selection. The other candidate was North Carolina.

Louisiana's undisclosed bid for the plant was spearheaded by the state economic development agency, England Airpark in Alexandria and the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.

In a statement, Moret said the state knew it had "an uphill battle" when Continental indicated it preferred an East Coast location for logistics and proximity to its domestic headquarters in South Carolina.