Toyota makes three $35,000 community donations in honor of milestone
TROY, Mo. (May 21, 2026) – The cylinder head: an unsung hero powering your favorite Toyota vehicles and the product that drives the 1,000 team members at the company’s Missouri casting plant.
For 35 years, the dedicated team at Toyota Missouri has cast aluminum cylinder heads that serve as the “lungs of the vehicle” for Toyota’s popular internal combustion and hybrid engine vehicles like the Tundra, Camry and Corolla.
“This plant is committed to casting quality parts, and it’s an honor to provide key components to Toyota’s legendary vehicle lineup,” said Todd Williams, president of Toyota Missouri. “Our team members are the heart of this facility, and as we reflect over three and a half decades, it’s clear they are the reason for our success.”
Born in the ‘90s
The Troy facility, Toyota’s original U.S. casting plant, broke ground in 1991 when the global automaker was expanding its presence in the U.S. At the time, Toyota operated three U.S. plants; today, the automaker has 11 plants employing more than 48,000 team members.
In 35 years, Toyota Missouri has grown into a $629-million-investment in the Show-Me State and is currently building a new, $57.1 million cylinder head production line, announced in November 2025. The line will add 57 jobs and is expected to begin in 2027.
“We’re excited to celebrate 35 years of Toyota Missouri’s significant investments into our state and the Lincoln County community,” said Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. “From providing quality manufacturing jobs for hardworking Missourians to supporting local community groups and nonprofits, we are proud to support Toyota’s continued growth and commitment to our state.”
Driven by Community
Toyota Missouri celebrated its legacy at a special event marking three and a half decades since breaking ground. At the event, Toyota awarded three local nonprofits with $35,000 donations – totaling $105,000– to support ongoing work in the Lincoln County community. Awardees include:
- Bread For Life Food Pantry, feeding more than 16,000 people annually;
- Gateway Region YMCA, expanding its programs and presence in the county; and
- Lincoln County R3 Education Foundation, supporting STEM teacher grants that engage and inspire students.
The plant supports numerous community groups, donating more than $4.3 million to local nonprofits over the past 35 years.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
To help inspire the next generation for careers in advanced manufacturing, Toyota launched its in-person tour booking platform and virtual tour experience at www.TourToyota.com allowing guests to schedule a live tour to see several of our U.S. manufacturing facilities in action or visit all plants virtually from anywhere around the globe.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.