There seems to be a discrepancy between the explanation given to Gov. Mike Beebe and Toyota officials over the selection of Tupelo, Mississippi for a mega-project car factory.

In a Washington, D.C. press conference today, Jim Press, president of Toyota North America, said air quality issues did not affect the Tennessee or Arkansas sites.

"We were able to clear all of the goals in terms of environmental impact," Press told reporters.

Toyota spokesman Dan Sieger confirms Press' comments and tells Talk Business that there were “a whole list of factors” that played a role in the company’s decision.  He deferred additional inquiries to Dennis Cuneo, a site selection representative for Toyota.

Governor Mike Beebe’s office said that in a Monday afternoon meeting with Toyota executives in Washington, D.C. he was told that air quality issues were the disqualifier for Marion.  The details of that meeting have been confirmed with ADED officials this afternoon.

UPDATE:  Dennis Cuneo returned our phone call and acknowledged that he was in the meeting with Governor Beebe on Monday when "air quality concerns" were mentioned as the disqualifier for the Marion site.  Cuneo's acknowledgement clearly contradicts Jim Press' previous statement that environmental issues did not impact Toyota's decision.  We'll let Toyota officials figure out what the left-hand and the right-hand are up to.

Cuneo also says that environmental concerns affected Chattanooga, which he claims will soon be put on "non-attainment" status due to air quality issues.

In the meantime, you can see Gov. Mike Beebe's comments from today's press conference courtesy of the Arkansas Times video weblog.  Click here to view.