JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The city of Canton's lawsuit against Nissan North American for the right to annex the nearby vehicle production plant is scheduled for trial in August.
Canton officials say legislation approved in 2000 that prohibits the city from annexing the plant for 30 years without the automaker's written consent violates the equal protection clauses of the U.S. and state constitutions.
The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/wedc5X ) a federal jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 6-17.
Nissan agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes to the Canton school district and to Madison County. Madison County uses the Nissan funds to make payments on bonds used for public infrastructure improvements for the plant.
Nissan has operated the $1.4 billion Canton plant since May 2003.