Relocations & Expansions

Announced in the Summer 2009 Quarter

ALABAMA

Norfolk Southern Chooses Birmingham for Cargo Hug

In the summer Norfolk Southern announced it is investing $112 million in a new cargo-loading terminal on 316 acres just outside of Birmingham in McCalla, Ala. The hub, where shipping containers will be unloaded from trucks and placed on rail cars, will require at least 600 workers and may lead to as many as 8,000 indirect jobs.

Company Adding 50 Jobs in NW Alabama

Flexco, a manufacturer of tile flooring, announced a $6.5 million expansion at its facilities in Muscle Shoals, Ala. in the summer quarter. The deal is expected to result in 50 new jobs. 

Aker Adding 30 Jobs in South Alabama

In the summer, Aker Solutions announced plans for a $2.3 million, 30-job expansion at its Middle Bay Port facility just north of the Theodore Industrial Canal near Mobile. The company, a subsidiary of Norway's Aker Solutions ASA, makes flexible steel tubes that carry fiber optics, electrical wiring and hydraulic fluid from oil and gas platforms to the ocean floor.  

ARKANSAS

ConAgra Foods Investing $100M in Russellville, Ark.

ConAgra Foods announced in the summer that it is expanding its frozen dinner plant in Russellville with a capital investment of $100 million. The expansion will create 75 new jobs when the second phase is completed some time in 2010. The company currently employs approximately 1,400 in the plant that covers over 15 acres under roof.

Alabama Company Adding Jobs in Arkansas

Rusken Packaging, an Alabama-based shipping company that already operates a plant in Jonesboro, Ark., is moving into the closed American Greetings factory in Harrisburg, Ark. The deal is expected to create up to 200 new jobs.

FLORIDA

New Animation and Video Game Studio Planned in Florida

Wyndcrest Holdings announced in the summer its plans to build a digital production studio in Port St. Lucie, Fla., primarily focused on the creation of original content and digital imagery for animation feature films, visual effects and video games. The project calls for a capital investment of approximately $50 million in support of the planned creation of no less than 500 jobs.

Vought Expands in Florida

Vought Aircraft Industries is expanding its Stuart, Fla. facilities. The $12.9 million expansion will result in about 100 new jobs. Vought currently manufactures several components for commercial aircraft in Stuart, including doors for various Boeing airplanes, center wing sections for the Boeing 767 and engine nacelle systems for aircraft manufacturers.

Aviation Services Company Hiring 150 in Orlando

Miami-based Avocet recently announced that it is building a new 44,000-square-foot hanger at the Orlando Sanford International Airport. The company provides aviation repair and maintenance. The deal will result in 150 new jobs, primarily mechanics that will earn an average of $45,000 annually.

Coca Cola Expanding in Central Florida

The Central Florida Development Council announced the expansion of Coca Cola's Main Street plant in Auburndale, Fla. recently. The $70 million expansion will create 132 new jobs. The plant produces Simply Orange juice and has added three new lines bringing the facility's total to seven production lines.

South Florida Call Center Adding 250

PRC, a South Florida-based call center that sells DirecTV services, announced in the summer it is adding 250 workers at the company's Cutler Bay facility. PRC currently has about 1,000 agents in South Florida.

GEORGIA

Biotech Company Locating $70M Facility in Georgia

Seattle-based Dendreon Corp., announced in mid-August it will locate a $70 million manufacturing facility in Union City, Ga. The company will produce PROVENGE for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Pending FDA approval, Dendreon will locate in a 160,000-square-foot facility that is expected to house several hundred workers.

Prison Operator Creating 300 Jobs in Georgia

Nashville-based Corrections Corp. of America announced in the summer quarter it is creating 300 new jobs as it spends $65 million to expand two of its state prison facilities. The company is adding 1,500 new beds at its prisons in Nicholls and Alamo, Ga.

Education Services Company Adding 75 Jobs Near Atlanta

New York-based Kaplan Inc. is expanding its Alpharetta, Ga. facilities by leasing 96,000 square feet and adding 75 employees to the 350 it already employs there. Employees at the new facility will provide support services to Kaplan's higher education business.

Kellogg’s Expands in Augusta, Ga.

In the summer quarter, Kellogg’s announced it is adding 220 positions and investing $30 million at its facilities in Augusta, Ga. The new hires bring employment at Kellogg’s to 740.

Chinese Appliance and Electronics Giant Expands in Georgia

Hisense Corp. USA, a division of China's largest manufacturer and distributor of flat-panel screens, Hisense Company Ltd., announced in the summer the expansion of its North American headquarters in Gwinnett County. The deal is expected to create 50 jobs for R&D and at its call center.

TBS Bringing 70 Jobs to Atlanta

Turner Broadcasting System announced in late June it is moving the production of its live daytime court coverage programming on its truTV channel from facilities in New York City to CNN Center in Atlanta. The relocation will result in 100 jobs lost in New York with 70 new jobs created in Atlanta. The relocation will be completed by November.

KANSAS

VA Bringing 400 Jobs to Leavenworth

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will locate a patient account center at the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, it was announced in August. The center will be housed in buildings listed on the National Historic Register.

Sara Lee to Open New Kansas Facility

Sara Lee Corp. announced a new state-of-the-art sliced meat manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Kan. in mid-summer. The 187,000-square-foot facility represents more than $130 million in capital invested and is expected to house 250 workers.

FedEx Ground SmartPost Locates in Olathe, Kan.

FedEx SmartPost, a division of FedEx Ground, secured a lease for a 126,357-square-foot site in Olathe, Kan. to serve its Kansas City operations. The hub is scheduled to begin operations in the fall.

Deluxe Corp. Expands in Kansas

Business services provider Deluxe Corp. will add up to 50 new employees and make between $10 million and $15 million in capital investments at its Lenexa, Kan. facility. The expansion will increase the capacity of Deluxe's printing operations.

KENTUCKY

Florida Tile Relocating HQ to Kentucky

On July 30, Florida Tile announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Lakeland, Fla. to Lexington, Ky. The move will bring the company's corporate offices in close proximity to is manufacturing plant and national distribution center located in Lawrenceburg, Ky.

Software Firm Creating 40 Jobs in Henderson, Ky.

Innovative Workflow Technologies (IWT), announced in the summer quarter it will locate a new development and data center facility near the Henderson City-County Airport, creating 40 new jobs and investing over $2 million in the Commonwealth. IWT develops technology for the health care industry.

General Electric Creating 400 "Green Collar" Jobs in Kentucky

In the early summer, GE announced it will manufacture its new line of energy efficient, hybrid electric water heaters in Louisville, creating 420 new jobs. The new line will be produced at GE's Appliance Park in Louisville. The new hybrid technology will allow GE to be the first manufacturer to introduce a water heater that will meet the new 2009 DOE ENERGY STAR standard category for water heaters. The water heaters will be built in China while the new Appliance Park facility is being built and equipped. The project represents an investment of $69 million on GE's part.

Florida Company Hiring 500 at Kentucky Call Center

Tampa-based Sykes Enterprises announced plans in the summer to locate a 500-employee call center in Bardstown, Ky. The deal will take up 31,000 square feet of former retail space.

Steel Company Expands

Wolf Steel USA, a Grant County, Ky. manufacturer of stoves and fireplaces, announced in the summer it is adding 72,000 square feet to its existing 39,000-square-foot facility to increase warehousing, distribution and manufacturing space. The $3.2 million investment will create 18 new jobs.

Presidium Grows in Kentucky

Presidium, a provider of IT and student service desk solutions to higher education institutions, announced in the summer it is investing $8.3 million in Somerset, Ky. The deal is expected to create about 200 new full-time jobs. Presidium currently supports over 600 education institutions with service desk solutions.

Energy Company Creating 100 Jobs in Rural Kentucky

EQT Corp., an integrated energy company with divisions focused on natural gas production transmission and distribution, is expanding its regional headquarters in Pikeville, Ky. The project will result in the creation of 100 new jobs. EQT is the largest natural gas producer in the Appalachian basin with approximately 13,000 wells.

LOUISIANA

ConAgra Foods Investing $210M in Delhi, La.

In August, ConAgra Foods announced it is investing over $210 million in the first state-of-the-art, large-scale processing facility in the world dedicated to high-quality, frozen sweet potato products. The project is being built near Delhi, La. The deal is expected to create 500 new jobs.

Global Strike Command Activated

In the summer quarter, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley participated in a ceremony marking the activation of the new Air Force Global Strike Command at the Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. The new command will create about 1,000 jobs. 

SNF Announces New Plant in Louisiana

In the summer, SNF Holding Co. announced it will build a new water-soluble polymers manufacturing facility in Iberville Parish. Once fully operational, the plant will employ over 500 full-time employees with an average salary of $57,400 and involve a capital investment of $362 million.

MARYLAND

Swedish Bioenergy Company Taps Maryland for HQ

Swebo Bioenergy International, a Swedish clean tech company that develops, produces and sells climate neutral bioenergy systems, has chosen Maryland for its U.S. base of operations and headquarters. The company specializes in products that are able to handle efficient combustion of waste fuels. 

Stem Cell Facility Opens in Maryland

RNL Biostar opened a new stem cell research and manufacturing facility in Montgomery County, Md. in the summer. The Korean company is in the second phase of testing its stem cell-based treatments for blood clotting diseases and osteoarthritis. About 50 jobs are expected to be created in the $6 million project.

MISSISSIPPI

United Solutions Expanding in Mississippi

In the summer quarter, United Solutions, a manufacturer of plastic housewares, announced it is expanding its facility in Sardis, Miss. The company, which employs 75 at the plant that produces plastic home and office products such as storage bins, will add 20 new workers.

MISSOURI

Express Scripts Building Distribution Center

Missouri-based pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts announced in the summer it will build a $60 million, 269-employee drug distribution center at its campus in North St. Louis County. The project is expected to be completed by April 2010.

Call Center Set for Laurie, Mo.

Medical Transportation Management announced in the summer it will set up a call center in Laurie. The $1 million deal will result in 50 new jobs. 

NORTH CAROLINA

Deutsche Bank to Create 319 Jobs in N.C.

Deutsche Bank AG announced in mid-August it will open a technology development center in Wake County, N.C. The deal represents a $6.7 million investment and the creation of 319 jobs.

Apple's First East Coast Data Center Lands in SmallTown North Carolina

Three years ago, economic development leaders in Catawba County, N.C. targeted the data center market by developing a 183-acre site just outside of rural Maiden, N.C. Today, their efforts have been rewarded as Apple recently announced that it is building a 500,000-square-foot, $1 billion data center on the property. The project is the first data center for Apple in the Eastern U.S. At the announcement, N.C. Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco said that the Apple project is the largest single capital investment ever made in the Tar Heel State. In 2007, Google began construction on a data center near Catawba County in the city of Lenoir. 

Alpla Opening New Manufacturing Plant

Georgia-based Alpla, a supplier of plastic packaging, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Raeford, N.C. The company plans to invest $7.2 million and create 40 jobs over the next three years. The company will manufacture plastic bottles at the facility. 

Medical Records Company Hiring 125 in Raleigh

Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions is adding 125 workers as it ramps up for the federal government's efforts to modernize health records for patients. The Chicago-based company will provide document imaging among other services.

Nonprofit Creating over 1,000 Jobs in Charlotte

Boston-based Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America, a nonprofit community advocacy and homeownership organization, announced in the summer it plans to hire 1,014 customer service specialists, mortgage counselors, negotiators and others to help low-income and minority borrowers. NACA plans to invest $4.5 million as part of its expansion in Charlotte. The organization helps borrowers get affordable home loans and people who can't afford loans they have received from other lenders.

OKLAHOMA

Wind Farm Completed in Oklahoma

ACCIONA Energy has completed its 123 megawatt Red Hills Wind Farm, located in Roger Mills and Custer counties near Elk City. Using 82 ACCIONA Windpower 1.5 MW wind turbines, the Red Hills Farm will generate enough clean energy to power over 40,000 U.S. homes and offset approximately 294,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The Red Hills facility is spread across 5,000 rural acres. With the exception of the small footprint made by the 82 turbines, at about one acre each, land use is dominated by cattle grazing which coexist with the wind energy production.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Company Investing $15 Million in S.C.

Sloan Construction announced in the summer it is building a new facility in Cherokee County, S.C. that is expected to generate 40 new jobs. The new aggregate mining facility near Blacksburg will produce material used primarily for road construction.

Honeywell Expanding in South Carolina

Honeywell's Safety Products division announced in the summer quarter it is expanding its Clover, S.C. facility, adding 80 new jobs. The company manufactures personal protective equipment for fire service, electrical safety and general industrial workers. Honeywell is investing $10.5 million in the expansion.

BAE Systems Announces S.C. Expansion

In the summer BAE Systems announced it will expand its North Charleston operations to accommodate a growing electronics engineering program. The Maryland-based company plans to consolidate three area facilities into one 74,000-square-foot facility. The project represents an investment of $4.5 million and will create approximately 75 new jobs this year and up to 100 new jobs in 2010.

Fuji Film Expands in South Carolina

FUJIFILM USA announced in the summer that the company's primary U.S. manufacturing and distribution complex, located in Greenwood, S.C., will serve as the home to a new digital print services and fulfillment operation. The company is modifying facilities at its 500-acre Greenwood campus to accommodate what is today the largest photo products fulfillment organization in the country.

Triumph Apparel Opening Distribution Center in South Carolina

In the summer quarter, New York-based Triumph Apparel, a manufacturer and distributor of women's apparel under the Danskin name, announced it will open a distribution center in Sumter, S.C. The project, which includes locating in an existing 67,000-square-foot facility, will create about 30 new jobs. 

TENNESSEE

Norfolk Southern Building $129M Intermodal Yard Near Memphis

In the summer quarter, Norfolk, Va.-based Norfolk Southern announced plans for a $129 million intermodal rail yard on a 570-acre site near Memphis. The facility will be capable of handling 327,000 containers and trailers each year and could create as many as 5,000 jobs throughout Tennessee. Additionally, the project is expected to divert more than 500,000 trucks off of Tennessee roads and onto rail, potentially reducing up to 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

New Manufacturing Plant Set for Morristown

Wellco Enterprises, a maker of footwear for military, tactical, industrial and outdoor applications, will open a new manufacturing plant in Morristown, bringing more than 100 new jobs to Northeast Tennessee. The project will realize a capital investment of $8 million in building and equipment.

Manitowoc Foodservice Expanding in Tennessee

Manitowoc Foodservice, a manufacturer of reach-in refrigeration food service equipment, announced in the summer it will add a new line and 120 jobs at its plant in Covington, Tenn. The new line will include products for medical and laboratory use.

Healthcare Company Expands in Nashville

Simplex Healthcare, a diabetic supplies firm, announced in the summer it is doubling its Nashville-area operations, resulting in 300 new hires within two years. The company will lease 91,000 square feet of space in the Cool Springs development in Franklin, located south of downtown Nashville.

TEXAS

AT&T Adding 200 Workers in San Antonio

AT&T announced in late August it is opening a technical support center in San Antonio that will assist AT&T U-verse and Advanced TV customers in the U.S. The deal is expected to create 200 jobs.

Farouk Systems Creating 1,200 Jobs in Houston

In the summer quarter, Houston-based Farouk Systems, a manufacturer of professional hair care and spa products, announced that it is relocating its research and development, design, manufacturing, assembling, packaging, marketing and distribution operations from Korea and China to new facilities in Houston. The $26 million deal is expected to result in 1,200 new jobs. 

Medtronic to Open New Facility in San Antonio, Creating 1,400 Jobs

Medtronic Inc. announced recently that the company has chosen San Antonio as the home of its new Diabetes Therapy Management and Education Center. Medtronic is expected to hire nearly 1,400 professionals during a five-year period to staff the new 150,000-square-foot facility.

Boeing Hiring 100 in San Antonio

In the summer, The Boeing Co. hired 100 new mechanics in San Antonio as it tries to keep up with the workload of maintaining several U.S. Air Force planes. Boeing's operations in San Antonio include the servicing of KC-135, C-130 and KC-10 aircraft.

Grifols Investing $76M in Texas Lab

Grifols Inc. announced in August it will create 190 new jobs and invest $76 million to open a new facility for the company's plasma testing laboratory in San Marcos, Tex. The company, which provides several medical and biomedical products, is developing other facilities in Texas in addition to the one in San Marcos.

DT Credit Selects Fort Worth for New Call Center

DT Credit Corp., part of the DriveTime group of companies, the nation's largest integrated used car sales and finance company focused on customers with credit issues, has selected the CentrePort Business park in Fort Worth as the site of its newest call center. The Arizona-based company leased 31,000 square feet and recently added 100 new jobs.

VIRGINIA

Company Expanding Martinsville Facility

Memphis-based Monogram Food Solutions is purchasing the meat snack business of American Foods Group, which includes the Martinsville, Va. production facility and the rights to the Bull's, Hannah's, O'Brien's and Dakota brand names. Monogram will invest $3 million to expand production capacity at the Martinsville plant and is adding 120 jobs.

IT Provider Hiring 100 in SmallTownVirginia

CGI Group, a provider of information technology services to the government and private sector, is adding 100 positions to its software development facility in rural Lebanon, Va. The company currently employs 290 workers in Lebanon.   

Columbus McKinnon Investing $5M in Damascus Operation

Columbus McKinnon, a designer and manufacturer of material handling products, plans to invest $5 million in its Damascus Hoist Division operations in Washington County, Va. The expansion will result in 70 new jobs added to the current work force of 174.

Quebecor World Expands in Virginia

Marketing and advertising company Quebecor World announced in the summer it is investing $35.2 million to expand its facilities in Frederick County, Va. The deal will retain 150 jobs and will create 30 new positions.

WEST VIRGINIA

IT Firm Doubling Work Force

CDI IT Solutions, a Philadelphia-based IT firm, is doubling its staff in Kanawha County. The company provides technical service desk support.

Expansion Brings 100 Jobs to Rural West Virginia

In the summer, Mustang Survival Manufacturing marked its 10th anniversary in Roane County, W. Va. by announcing plans to expand its industrial sewing operation, creating up to 100 jobs in two years. The company will lease the former B.F. Goodrich plant from the Roane County Development Authority. Mustang manufactures aerospace and marine safety and survival equipment.

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