NATCHEZ, Miss.—The City of Natchez is preparing a lawsuit against Titan Tire Corp., a subsidiary of Titan International Inc., for alleged nonpayment of rent on the former Condere Corp. property.
The city council voted July 11 to file a lawsuit against Titan, according to Robert C. Latham, a Natchez attorney representing the city.
Condere Corp. assumed a lease agreement for the Natchez plant, a former facility of Armstrong Tire & Rubber Co., in 1986.
When Condere went bankrupt in 1998, Titan assumed the lease and manufactured truck tires at the plant until a strike closed it in 2001.
In addition to rent, the lawsuit involves other concerns such environmental issues, according to Latham.
The suit has not yet been filed.
"We've consulted a law firm in Jackson, and we're preparing the case with their help," he said.
The amount of back rent will be calculated against a number of variables, including credit for taxes paid, according to Latham.
Titan officials could not be reached for comment.