Toyota Tennessee expands EM² program with $100,000 grant to Jackson Central Merry Early College High

Toyota Tennessee is widening its pipeline for future technicians with a $100,000 grant to Jackson Central Merry Early College High, adding a high school arm to its Engineering, Manufacturing, and Mechatronics (EM²) initiative in the Jackson-Madison County School System.

The March 11 announcement said the funding will establish a new STEM lab on campus, with advanced manufacturing technology classes scheduled to begin in fall 2026. The high school investment follows Toyota’s initial $100,000 contribution in January 2024 to open the first EM² program at the Malesus STEM Innovation Center for middle school students.

That site has introduced students to hands-on training—from building circuits to working with drones—aimed at sparking interest in engineering and manufacturing. Toyota Tennessee President Todd Williams said the expansion to older students is about extending the company’s investment into the future workforce and building skills the automaker needs locally.

He described the company’s facilities as highly technical, relying on robotics and extensive programming, and pointed to the tight labor market for such expertise as a reason to cultivate talent early. Williams linked the education push to Toyota’s broader footprint in the state.

In November 2025, the company announced a $71.4 million expansion at its Tennessee plant to add three new production lines and increase hybrid vehicle production, creating 33 new jobs. He cited that project as an example of continued growth and why strengthening a local workforce matters.

District leaders say the early results are promising. Now in its second year, the Malesus center has served 228 students enrolled in its programs, including 61 in the EM² institute, according to Jackson-Madison County School System Chief Innovation Officer Teresa McSweeney.

She said more than 500 students have also come through for robotics and engineering tournaments and field trips. Superintendent Marlon King framed the latest donation as a testament to collaboration, noting the transformation of the Malesus building since 2020 into a state-of-the-art space for students.

He said partnerships like Toyota’s are critical to helping the district prepare students for high-demand technical careers. With the new grant in place, JCM Early College High’s STEM lab is planned to open in time for advanced manufacturing coursework in 2026, further linking local classrooms to a growing industrial base.