Projects Announced in the Fall 2009 Quarter
ALABAMA
United Launch Alliance Expanding in Alabama
The United Launch Alliance is planning to expand its 1.5 million-square-foot facility in Decatur, Ala. to produce a new rocket; the Atlas V. Already the facility produces the Delta rocket. In 2006 the United Launch Alliance was formed as a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to produce Delta and Atlas rockets. Boeing built the $450 million facility in 1997.
Software Firm Establishing Center in Small Town Alabama
Three hundred new jobs are being created in Troy, Ala. by Virginia-based software developer CGI Group. The company provides IT services to a variety of clientele. CGI employs over 26,000 workers in 16 countries.
Mohawk Industries Expanding in Small Town Alabama
Flooring giant Mohawk industries has announced plans to expand production of its Roanoke, Ala. carpet-backing plant. The company will add conversion and extrusion technology, which melts plastic to produce the synthetic material used to make the carpet backing. About 35 workers will be added to the 400 that work at the plant. For more information on the rural South's economy, go to www.SmallTownSouth.com.
ARKANSAS
Mitsubishi Locating $100 Million Wind Turbine Plant in Arkansas
Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas (MPSA), a subsidiary of Lake Mary, Fla.-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., announced in the fall its intentions to build a $100 million wind turbine manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, Ark. The project could employ as many as 400 people. The company will locate the plant in a new 200,000-square-foot facility at Fort Chaffee, near Fort Smith, occupying 90 acres. MPSA currently has more than 4,500 wind turbines in operation worldwide, with 3,000 in the U.S.
FLORIDA
Solar Cell Equipment Manufacturer Plans 125 New Jobs in Manatee Co., Fla.
In the fall quarter, Mustang Vacuum Systems announced that it will relocate and expand its solar cell equipment manufacturing operation in Manatee County, Fla. where the company plans to add 125 jobs. The company is moving into a 50,000-square-foot facility in the Sarasota Commerce Center, which will allow increased production of thin-film photovoltaic cell equipment.
Company Expanding Orlando HQ
Digital Risk LLC, a risk mitigation solutions provider for the mortgage industry, is expanding its headquarters, adding at least 240 jobs and retaining more than 260 jobs in Orange County, Fla. The company is investing $1.2 million in the expansion.
Healthcare Company Adding 60 New Positions in South Florida
TMS Health, a company that provides support assistance for pharmaceutical and medical device clinical trial recruitment, is adding 60 new jobs in Boca Raton, Fla. TMS Health currently employs 425 at its headquarters in Boca.
Spain's Grupo Eulen Relocating Regional HQ from Mexico to Miami
Grupo Eulen is relocating a regional headquarters from Mexico City to Miami and plans to invest $30 million and create 500 new jobs. The company, which has more than $2.3 billion in revenues and 72,000 employees, has completed a major investment in Miami-based ASM Aviation Services, which will be rebranded with the Eulen name. ASM provides ground handling and passenger services for airlines. It has a major base at the Miami International Airport. Grupo Eulen provides cleaning, maintenance, security and environmental services for major international companies throughout Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Navy Federal Credit Union Expanding Again in Pensacola
As part of its agreements with the state of Florida and Escambia County, Navy Federal Credit Union is once again expanding its campus in Pensacola. The fourth phase of the campus includes $80 million in new capital investment and 800 new jobs.
USAA Adding 200 Workers in Tampa
USAA announced in the fall quarter it is adding 200 workers at its banking and insurance call center in Tampa. The company's Tampa office currently employs almost 1,800 workers.
Two Companies Relocate HQs to Palm Beach County
Successories, a 25-year-old catalog and Internet company, announced in October it is moving its headquarters from Illinois to Boca Raton, Fla. The company is creating 77 new jobs in the move. Also, The Learning Experience, a franchise support and training company for learning centers, has moved its headquarters to Boca Raton. About 100 jobs will be created in the deal.
TurboCombuster Technology Expands in Florida
TurboCombuster Technology, Inc. (TCT) announced in October that it broke ground on a $1.3 million, 18,000-square-foot expansion of its facilities in Stuart, Fla. The company, which manufactures gas turbine engine parts for use in aircraft and marine applications, employs 375 workers in Martin County.
GEORGIA
Atlanta Lands another Major HQ
Just this year, the Atlanta metro area has picked up headquarters relocation announcements from First Data and NCR, among others. In November, Sony Ericsson announced it will move its North American headquarters from North Carolina to Atlanta in a consolidation move. The joint venture between Sweden's LM Ericsson and Japan's Sony Corp. will consolidate product development operations by closing sites in the Research Triangle Park, Seattle, Miami, San Diego, Kista, Sweden and Chennai, India. Atlanta was chosen because of its proximity to AT&T, one of the company's largest customers. North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue said that she was disappointed with the company's departure from the Research Triangle, adding that the headquarters relocation to Atlanta was made without much discussion with North Carolina officials.
Bright Ideas Entertainment Expands in Metro Atlanta
Bright Ideas Entertainment, a full-service television and film production studio, announced in the fall quarter the expansion of its headquarters and production/distribution operations in Gwinnett County. With plans for more than 350 jobs over the next two years, the company will invest $4 million in capital and expand facilities by 78,000 square feet.
Mitsubishi Power Systems Locating Facility in Pooler, Ga.
In the fall, Lake Mary, Fla.-based Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas announced it is building a $325 million advanced steam and gas turbines manufacturing plant at the Georgia megasite in Pooler. The deal is expected to create up to 500 new jobs. The company will also service turbines and related components for power generation. For more information on economic development in small towns in the South, go to www.SmallTownSouth.com.
Nation's First All-Digital Film Studio Opens in Savannah
Meddin Studios has opened its new $5.5 million studio for the film, television and media industries in Savannah, Ga. The studio is the nation's first fully digital production facility. The studio's completely digital workflow will stretch from pre-production to post-production, including distribution and asset management. The company has created 10 jobs at the facility.
Coca-Cola Investing $100 Million-Plus in Atlanta
In late October, Coca-Cola announced that it will spend $100 million on its production facilities in Atlanta. The plant expansion will contain production facilities for the concentrated ingredients used in the new Coca-Cola "Freestyle" fountain dispenser. The new dispenser will use micro dosing technology to dispense more than 100 sparkling and still beverage brands from a single freestanding unit.
Sitel Expands in Augusta, Ga.
In the fall quarter, business process outsourcing provider Sitel announced it will expand its customer care facility in Augusta, Ga. The company is expected to hire 300 new associates to the more than 800 it employs in Augusta.
KANSAS
Airbus Adds 100 Workers in Wichita
Airbus is adding 100 workers at its Engineering Design Center in Wichita. Airbus performs engineering on wing designs in Wichita.
KENTUCKY
Steiner US Relocating its North American HQ to Northern Kentucky
Steiner US, a maker of separation equipment in the scrap metal market, announced in October it is relocating its headquarters from Clearwater, Fla. to Erlanger, Ky. The company is moving its entire parts warehouse and administrative offices to Northern Kentucky.
Start-Up Aerospace Company Opens in Kentucky
Blackhawk Composites., a start-up manufacturer of advanced aerospace composites parts has begun operating in Butler Co., Ky. The company is producing parts for the Cessna Caravan aircraft. About 30 jobs are being created in the $1.5 million deal.
Bourbon Maker Expanding in Kentucky
Beam Global Spirits and Wine will expand it operations in Kentucky. A longstanding first family of Bourbon, the Jim Beam distilleries in Frankfort and Clermont, Ky., will begin production of DeKuyper cordials and other spirits currently bottled outside of Kentucky. The $28 million deal will create 120 new jobs.
LOUISIANA
Pixel Magic Announces New Digital Studio in Lafayette, La.
Pixel Magic announced in the fall quarter that it will open a Louisiana studio at LITE in Lafayette, La. The company provides digital visual effects for motion pictures and television. LITE is a business accelerator in Lafayette designed to encourage the creation of new and innovative technology businesses in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. The project is expected to create 40 new jobs.
CenturyLink Adding 350 New Jobs in Louisiana
CenturyLink, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Monroe, La., announced in late November that it will keep its headquarters in Louisiana and create 350 new jobs. In July, Louisiana-based CenturyTel acquired Kansas-based EMBARQ to form CenturyLink. Since the merger, Louisiana officials have been working with the company in effort to keep its headquarters in Louisiana.
Northrop Grumman Adds Jobs, Expands in Louisiana
In November, Northrop Grumman officially opened its new 20,000-square-foot facility in Slidell, La. The facility combined the company's Slidell office and Stennis Space Center operations, representing a $4 million capital investment. The deal added 40 new jobs. Northrop Grumman is Louisiana's largest private sector employer, employing almost 6,000 workers in the state. The Slidell facility will support terrestrial elevation, watershed, flood, bare earth and surface modeling, volumetric and permeability solutions done by the company.
Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman for KC-10 Contract
In the fall quarter, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $3.8 billion contract for KC-10 Contractor Logistics Service to Northrop Grumman, an award that could create hundreds of new jobs at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, La. The state of Louisiana plans to commit up to $10 million to support the project, including improvements at Chennault.
MARYLAND
Aircraft Components Company Adding Jobs in Maryland
AgustaWestland NA announced in November it was awarded a U.S. Navy contract to provide complete refurbishment of several military helicopter models, including the H-3. The deal will result in about 20 new employees.
MISSISSIPPI
Aerospace Business Expanding in Rural Mississippi
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced in November that Airbus SAS and its partners Aerolia SA, Premium Aerotec GmbH and Spirit AeroSystems, have selected the company to produce composite structures and tooling for its next-generation A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) aircraft. Total expected revenues for ATK amount to approximately $1 billion in the deal. The company will produce the composite components at its composite manufacturing center of excellence in Iuka, Miss. At peak production, ATK could produce up to 25 miles of A350 XWB composite components per month. No job announcements at the ATK plant in Mississippi have been announced.
United Furniture Industries Expanding in Mississippi
In October, United Furniture Industries, headquartered in Okolona, Miss. announced the expansion of the company’s operations. The company will increase production by expanding into an existing, city-owned building in Okolona, creating about 100 new jobs. The company employs more than 1,400 people in its Mississippi manufacturing facilities.
Vitro America Expanding in Mississippi
Memphis-based Vitro America is expanding its plant in Grenada, Miss. The company is consolidating the production of safety glass and storefront metal systems at its Granada plant. The $1.2 million investment in new equipment will create 20 new jobs.
MISSOURI
West Asset adding 107 Jobs in Earth City, Mo.
West Asset Management, an accounts receivable service provider and collection agency, said in the fall quarter it plans to add 107 new positions at its Earth City, Mo. location. The Nebraska-based company is hiring in response to increased business from an unnamed mortgage provider.
Elite Tools Expands in Missouri
Elite Tool has invested $2.3 million in a new facility in Moscow Mills, Mo. The manufacturing project will create 20 new jobs.
NORTH CAROLINA
Biopharmaceutical Company Investing $269 Million in North Carolina
International biopharmaceutical company Talecris Biotherapeutics is expanding its manufacturing facilities near Clayton, N.C., creating 259 new jobs and investing $269 million. The company discovers, develops and produces critical-care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in the areas of immunology, neurology, pulmonology and homeostasis. The company employs about 4,700 worldwide with headquarters in the biotech hub of Research Triangle Park.
Medical Device Manufacturer Adding Jobs in Research Triangle
Medical device maker TransEnterix, has received $55 million in a second round of venture capital that will enable the company to employ 50 more workers in an effort to launch its surgery technology on the market in the first quarter of 2010. The new technology, called Spider (Single Port Instrument Delivery Extended Reach) will be used in laparoscopic surgeries on the abdomen, allowing surgeons to perform those surgeries through a single small incision instead of the four to five small incisions currently required. The company is based in Durham, N.C.
Ameritox to Open Facility in Greensboro, N.C.
Ameritox Ltd. a leader in pain prescription monitoring, announced in October it will open a new laboratory and material analysis facility in Greensboro. The company will upfit an existing building to accommodate its operations. Ameritox will hire approximately 228 employees by 2010.
Hickory, N.C. Gains 400 New Jobs
Wisconsin-based Fiserv, Inc., a company that provides banks with technology related to online banking, mobile banking, processing and other services, announced in the fall quarter it will invest $4.9 million and create 400 new jobs in Hickory, N.C. The customer support project will move into a shell building that was available in the McDonald Crossing Business Park.
Health Care Firm Expanding, Relocating HQ to Charlotte
Premier Inc, a company that assists hospitals in reducing costs, improve care and negotiate prices for supplies, announced in the fall quarter it is adding 300 workers to its current payroll of 750 in Charlotte. The company is also moving its headquarters from San Diego to Charlotte. Premier will receive almost $5 million in incentives once the project is finalized.
Cree Creating 575 Green Jobs in Durham, N.C.
In the fall, Durham-based Cree Inc., which already employs 1,500 in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, announced plans to add 575 workers in Durham over the next three years. The company manufactures light-emitting diododes and LED lighting, which is in demand as an energy efficient lighting product. "We are seeing tremendous growth for LED lighting," Cree CEO Chuck Swoboda said. "Energy efficient lighting has its roots right here in North Carolina and Cree is proud to be bringing more green jobs to our state."
Parachute Manufacturer on Hiring Jag in Rural N.C.
North American Aerodynamics, a maker of parachutes in Roxboro, N.C., is expanding due to a rush order by the U.S. army. The company hired 375 workers to produce heavy-duty cargo parachutes for the war in Afghanistan. About $1 million is being invested in the project.
Siemens Subsidiary Announces $30 Million Expansion in Forsyth Co., N.C.
TurboCare, a subsidiary of Siemens Energy that provides turbo machinery parts and services to companies around the world, is expanding its Forsyth County facility, creating 110 jobs and investing $30 million over the next three years. The company offers service solutions in the industrial and power generation markets in more than 100 countries.
OKLAHOMA
Recycling Company Plans New Plant, 700 Jobs in Oklahoma
Waste Not Technologies of Destin, Fla., will construct an industrial plant in Okmulgee, Okla., that will turn residential and commercial waste into a variety of products including plastic pallets and plastic railroad ties. Construction of the 800,000-square-foot facility on a 250-acre site is expected to start at the first of the year. The company calls for an initial eight-hour shift of 700 workers to handle 1,000 tons of trash a day, eventually expanding to three shifts and 1,400 workers processing 3,000 tons of garbage. The company will invest $150 million in the project.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Company Announces New S.C. Facility
Materials Innovation Technologies, a research and development company specializing in unique carbon fiber reclamation and molding processes, announced in the fall it will locate a new $5 million facility in Florence County, S.C. The company will manufacture advanced composite parts for commercial use in a variety of industries. The deal will create 120 new jobs.
Company Hiring 247 in Upstate S.C.
Jetline, a supplier of customized promotional products, announced in October it located a new facility in Gaffney, S.C. The $3.5 million investment is expected to generate 247 new jobs over the next five years.
Scientific Research Bringing 300 Jobs to South Carolina
Atlanta-based Scientific Research Corp. (SRC), an advanced engineering company, announced plans in October to expand its operations at its Charleston Co., S.C. facility. SRC will invest $4 million and add 300 new jobs over the next five years.
Ground Broken on New Lab in Rural South Carolina
Select Laboratories, a provider of diagnostic laboratory testing for doctors and patients in rural areas of South Carolina, broke ground on the construction of a new 10,000-square-foot facility in Clarendon Co., S.C. The company is a joint venture among rural physicians in South Carolina, three local hospitals and Synermed Select Partners of Greensboro, N.C.
GE Aviation Announces Expansion in Greenville, S.C.
In the fall quarter, GE Aviation announced its plans to expand its presence in Greenville, S.C., with a multi-million dollar investment and 100 additional jobs. The Greenville facility produces high pressure turbine blades that are used in commercial aircraft engines produced by GE Aviation.
TENNESSEE
Medtronic Opens $65 Million Memphis Distribution Center
Medtronic, the world's largest medical device company, officially opened its new $65 million distribution center in Memphis in the fall quarter. The center is shipping spinal implants, stents, defibrillators, pacemakers and other instruments from the facility, which houses 260 workers.
Vifan USA Celebrates Expansion in Northeast Tennessee
In the fall quarter, Vifan USA completed the 130,000-square-foot expansion of its plant in Morristown, Tenn. The company had considered a $30 million project in China as opposed to the $70 million expansion of its Northeast Tennessee facilities. Vifan manufactures clear and metalized biaxial-oriented polypropylene, which is used primarily in the food packaging industry.
Owens Corning Investing $22M in Memphis Operations
In the fall quarter, Owens Corning announced it is spending $22 million on its North Memphis facility that produces roofing strip shingles. The deal will create 15 new jobs to add to the 92 that are currently employed at the plant.
German Company Creating 120 Jobs in Chattanooga
Aerisyn, a wind turbine tower manufacturer with facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., has been purchased by SIAG Schaaf Industrie AG of Germany. The deal will pave the way for SIAG Schaaf to add 120 jobs at the Chattanooga plant.
Hemlock Semiconductor Breaks Ground on $1.2 Billion Tennessee Plant
Hemlock Semiconductor, LLC, celebrated the beginning of construction at its recently developed site in Clarksville, Tenn. on November 12. The $1.2 billion, 500-employee plant will produce polycrystalline silicon for the solar industry.
Unilever Expanding in Memphis Region
Unilever is expanding its Covington, Tenn. plant, company officials announced in the fall quarter. The company is investing $100 million in the project and will add 275 new jobs. The facility currently produces Slim-Fast products and will now add the manufacture of ice cream and other frozen treats under Unilever brands such as Breyers, Klondike, Good Humor and Popsicle.
TEXAS
Texas Instruments Opens New Chip Plant after Five-Year Wait
After breaking ground on a 1.1-million-square-foot computer chip manufacturing plant in Richardson, Tex. in 2004, Texas Instruments finally opened the facility for business in the fall quarter. The building, which will eventually house 1,000 workers, sat empty for years while TI waited for the right time to launch the facility. The plant is the first chip manufacturing facility to open in the U.S. since 1996 and is the first globally to use 300-millimeter silicon wafers to produce analog chips.
Medtronic Opens San Antonio Diabetes Center
In late November, Minneapolis-based Medtronic celebrated the grand opening of its new Diabetes Therapy Management and Education Center in San Antonio. Company and San Antonio officials cut the ribbon at the center, which currently employs more than 200 diabetes therapy professionals dedicated to supporting Medtronic customers. The company anticipates hiring nearly 1,400 people within the next five years at the center.
Nationwide Mutual Adding 750 Jobs in San Antonio
In late October, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. announced the expansion of its operations in San Antonio, Tex. The $94.8 million investment will create 750 new jobs.
Medical Device Manufacturer Building Facility near Houston
Cardiovascular Systems, a Minnesota-based medical device company, has signed a 10-year lease for a new 46,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pearland, Tex. The facility is being built for CSI and will support the production of its Diamondback 360 PAD System, a minimally invasive catheter. The deal is expected to create 250 new jobs.
Solar Panel Manufacturer Lands in Fort Worth
Los Angeles-based Coaire has selected Fort Worth as the site of a new manufacturing and distribution center that will create 75 new jobs. The company will manufacture energy efficient heating and cooling units and solar panels at the facility.
VIRGINIA
Another Large Headquarter Relocation to the South
In the spring 2009 issue we predicted that between 2009 and 2011 there will be a dozen or more large headquarter relocations to the South. How are we doing so far with that prediction? Well, we’re right on schedule. In the fall quarter, Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) announced it is relocating its corporate headquarters from San Diego to the company's McLean, Va. campus in Fairfax County. The scientific, engineering, and technology applications company plans to invest $25 million as part of the relocation and is expected to create 1,200 new jobs over the next three years, adding to its current base of approximately 17,500 employees in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. In the summer, both NCR and First Data announced they would be relocating their headquarters to the Atlanta area from Ohio and Colorado respectively.
Alpha Natural Resources Building HQ in Bristol, Va.
Alpha Natural Resources announced in the fall quarter it will build its new corporate headquarters in Bristol, creating 69 jobs and retaining 131 jobs. The company, which operates more than 60 coal mines in Appalachia, is investing $17.5 million in the project.
Maruchan Adds New Virginia Line
Maruchan Virginia, a maker of ramen soups and noodles, announced completion of its newest line in Chesterfield County, Va. The $18 million deal will create 50 new jobs.
Harris Corp. Adding 400 Workers in Northern Virginia
Melbourne, Fla.-based Harris Corp. which relocated two of its business units to the Washington, D.C. area last year is filling 400 new jobs at its offices in Falls Church, Va. and in Dulles. Most of the hires will be for Harris' health care and cyber security business.
International Tobacco Announces $19.5M Investment in Rural Virginia
Japan Tobacco International announced plans in October to establish a tobacco processing facility in the City of Danville, Va. The company plans to process both flue-cured and burley tobacco in the U.S. and export the product under the name of JTI Leaf Services. By the time the company is fully operational, it will have invested $19.5 million with an employment of 39 full time people and 150 seasonal jobs in Danville.
WEST VIRGINIA
Customer Service Center to House 125 West Virginia Workers
Mountaineer Gas recently announced plans to open a new customer service center in Charleston, W. Va. The deal will create about 125 jobs.
Furniture Manufacturer Adds 20 Jobs in W.Va.
Mott Manufacturing recently celebrated the opening of its 30,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing plant in the Greenbrier Valley Airport Industrial Park in W.Va. Mott produces wood components in laboratory furniture used in hospitals and medical schools in the U.S. and Canada.
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