Nissan and Habitat partner to drive the mission of helping local families achieve safe, affordable housing

Special to The Canton News 

Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant and Habitat for  Humanity Mississippi Capital Area (HFHMCA) recently marked another collaboration milestone with the completion of their first rehab project in the tri-county area. More than 80 Nissan volunteers contributed their time and skills during the project from May to July, benefiting Jackson resident Janice Barber and her family. Habitat home rehabs preserve existing homes in our community and maximize the number of families who can become homeowners.  

“Nissan’s corporate mission is to enrich the lives of others, and our relationship with Habitat for  Humanity is a perfect fit as it encompasses this exactly,” said Victor Taylor, vice president of manufacturing, at Nissan Canton. “We build more than great cars; we build community. Our employees love to support deserving families who need safe, affordable housing. We want to  continue to make a difference in this community where our employees live and work.” 
“For years’ Nissan Canton has been a strong supporter of the work of Habitat for Humanity  Mississippi Capital Area,” said Merrill McKewen, executive director at Habitat for Humanity  Mississippi Capital Area. “They have built 15 new homes either in Canton or Jackson and now,  have rehabbed a home for another family. Corporate sponsors like Nissan make possible the work we do for those we serve. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”  
The Barber’s new home has five bedrooms and two bathrooms. Barber is a mother to three children, and a grandmother to two grandchildren. She currently lives in a rental house in Jackson and is excited to become a homeowner. 

“Because of Habitat and Nissan, I have the opportunity to provide my children and grandchildren a place to call home,” said Barber. “We have been overpaying for a house with all types of problems. The current living situation is not where I wanted to raise my kids or grandchildren.  Now that we have a safe environment, and a place to call home, it is a blessing. We are so thankful for you guys!”  

Nissan’s support for Habitat began in 2005 in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Nissan U.S.  donated $1 million, provided 50 Nissan trucks, and mobilized employee volunteers for homebuilding through Habitat affiliates in impacted communities. Since that time, Nissan has contributed more than $21 million and more than 112,000 volunteer hours in 50 communities to  Habitat for Humanity across the U.S. In 2023, Nissan renewed their commitment with a Nissan  Neighbors grant award of $1.3 million in support of building projects in Nissan operational communities across the United States.

Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area is a faith-based organization founded in 1986 that has built or renovated simple and sustainable homes for over 660 families in Hinds, Madison,  and Rankin counties. Habitat homes are sold at no profit with an interest-free mortgage to families who cannot qualify for traditional bank loans. Homeownership combined with Habitat’s required financial education allows these families to invest in their community and their future simultaneously. To learn more about becoming an HFHMCA donor, volunteer or homeowner, call 601-353-6060 or visit www.habitatmca.org. 

Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant celebrated 20 years of manufacturing operations in 2023. The plant employs more than 5,000 people and has assembled more than five million vehicles since it began production in 2003. The $4 billion factory currently assembles the Nissan Altima and Nissan Frontier. To date, the company has invested $14 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations collectively. 

For more information about Nissan products, services, and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissannews.com or nissanmanufacturing.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and see all them latest videos on YouTube.