Editor's Note: All new, relocated and expanded automotive-related and bio industry announcements have been moved to the Southern Auto Corridor News (you can also go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com) and Bio Industry South sections, which are now regular features in Southern Business & Development.

QUIZ

It's called the tarpon capital of the world and it is located on Florida's West Coast, near the center of where Hurricane Charley made landfall. Where is the tarpon capital of the world? (a) Naples (b) Punta Gorda (c) Cape Coral (d) Boca Grande

(Scroll down for answer)

ALABAMA

Meadowcraft Expands in Selma

A building in Selma, Ala. that was formerly an environmental hazard has been cleaned up and is now home to an expansion by Meadowcraft, a manufacturer of wrought iron furniture. The company is expected to bring 125 new jobs to Selma.

Call Center to Open in Muscle Shoals

Walgreen's is locating a call center in a former Wal-Mart store in Muscle Shoals, Ala. The company will hire about 90 workers for the center with a goal of 350 employees within three years.

Fifty Jobs Created in South Alabama

Clawson Container, a Michigan-based company that manufactures and recycles industrial-sized containers is building a new plant in Robertsdale, Ala. The company expects to create 50 new jobs.

State Farm Insurance Hiring 500 in Birmingham

State Farm is expanding its offices in Birmingham. The insurer is consolidating its billing, claims and customer service processing centers to the Birmingham office. Up to 500 jobs are expected to be created.

Distribution Center Announced in Dothan

Movie Gallery, a video rental retailer, is building a 190,000-square-foot distribution facility in Dothan that will house about 80 workers.

Poultry Company Investing $55 Million

Wayne Farms is building a new 100,000-square-foot, $55 million processing facility in Decatur, Ala. The expansion will support two new production lines.

ARKANSAS

Road Systems Adding 120 Workers

A subsidiary of CNF is expanding in Searcy, Ark. Road Systems Inc., a manufacturer of freight trailers, is hiring an additional 120 workers at its 200,000-square-foot plant. The company markets its trailers to trucking companies throughout the U.S.

FLORIDA

Company Adding 181 Jobs in Palm Beach

Garden of Life, a maker of whole foods supplements, is creating 181 new jobs at its headquarters, R&D and fulfillment center in Palm Beach County.

Internet Provider Hiring 100 in Jacksonville

Clearwire Corp., a wireless high-speed Internet provider is bringing 100 new jobs to Jacksonville. The company offered its services to customers in Jacksonville for the first time this summer.

CVS Picks Vero Beach for Center

Retailer CVS Corp. has chosen Vero Beach, Fla., for a new 437,000-square-foot distribution center. The Rhode Island-based company will open the facility in 2006. It is expected to house 350 workers.

GEORGIA

S. Korean Company Locating in Ga.

A South Korea-based plastics manufacturer has announced it will build its first U.S. plant in Gordon County, Ga. LG Chem Ltd., will make acrylic countertops at a new 150,000-square-foot plant it will build at a cost of $40 million. The company expects to employ about 100 workers initially.

California Company to Build in Rural Georgia

Eldorado Stone, a producer of architectural stone veneer, is building a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Dublin, Ga. The facility will house more than 100 employees.

Tech Startup in Georgia

Aelera Corp. is hiring 250 workers in Savannah and Fitzgerald, Ga. The company is building a new application development center in Savannah and a business process outsourcing center in Fitzgerald.

Mohawk Expanding in GA

Mohawks Industries is expanding its facilities in Calhoun, Ga. The expansion will result in 125 jobs in Gordon County. Over $30 million is being invested at the company's manufacturing and distribution facilities in Calhoun. Over 1 million square feet of new space will be constructed primarily for distribution purposes. Mohawk is based in Sugar Valley, Ga. and employs over 18,000 people in the state of Georgia. It is a leading supplier of flooring products and has been a major employer in Northwest Georgia for over 120 years.

KANSAS

Document Company Expanding in Shawnee

Perceptive Software announced in the summer that it would invest $18 million in a new corporate headquarters in Shawnee. The company, which currently employs 125 workers, expects to hire 218 more within a few years. Perceptive performs document imaging, software solutions and workflows for a variety of industries.

Another Deal for Shawnee

Kraft Tool is expanding its plant in Shawnee. The company makes hand tools for the building industry. Kraft is building a 117,000-square-foot addition to its 90,000-square-foot facility. About 50 workers are expected to be hired in the deal.

KENTUCKY

Meat Processor Building Facility in Madisonville

Land O' Frost, which has operated a meat processing facility in Searcy, Ark., since 1976, has announced it is building a new 175,000-square-foot processing plant near Madisonville, Ky. Up to 500 workers are expected to be hired at the new plant, which represents a $50 million investment by Land O' Frost.

Call Center Expanding in Louisville

St. Louis-based Charter Communications is expanding its Louisville call center by 100 workers by the end of the year. The center, which handles customer service for Charter's Internet and cable divisions, already employs over 600 workers. Charter officials cited Kentucky's favorable tax incentives as a factor in the expansion.

Proposed Steel Plant Doubles in Investment

LEO Inc., a steel processor based in Pittsburgh, has announced it is doubling its investment from $176 million to $383 million for a plant in Louisville. The 600,000-square-foot facility is expected to house about 300 workers at a site in the Jefferson Riverport International. LEO converts steel slabs into steel coils and the Louisville plant is projected to handle 1.5 million tons of steel annually.

Distribution Center Slated for Bullitt County

GSI Commerce Solutions is opening a 400,000-square-foot distribution center in Shepherdsville, Ky. The Pennsylvania-based company, which provides distribution services through the Internet for sporting goods stores, expects to hire about 100 jobs in the deal. GSI currently operates a 300,000-square-foot facility at the Jefferson Riverport International site in Louisville.

Pella Expanding in Murray

Pella, the window and door manufacturer is expanding its Murray, Ky. plant by adding 200 workers. The company currently employs 550 workers at the facility.

LOUISIANA

Big Deal in Louisiana

Officials with Union Tank Car announced in mid-July the company is building a new railcar plant near Alexandria, La. Over $100 million is expected to be invested in the deal which will create 850 new jobs. In terms of job creation, the deal represents one of the largest manufacturing announcements made in Louisiana over the last decade. The plant will create an annual payroll of approximately $35 million, with average salaries around $37,000 per year. The estimated taxes Louisiana will receive over 10 years from Union Tank Car's new plant will exceed $85 million.

MARYLAND

American Woodmark Breaks Ground in Maryland

American Woodmark Corp., a leading manufacturer of cabinets for the new home industry is building a new facility in Alleghany County, Maryland. The company is the first tenant in the newly developed Barton Business Park. American Woodmark is investing $12 million to construct a 250,000-square-foot facility that is expected to house 500 workers.

MISSISSIPPI

Over 100 Jobs Created in Rural Mississippi

A manufacturer of bath units is expanding in rural Tishomingo County, Miss. Baymont subsidiary Golden Bath Products will add 110 jobs at its facility in Tishomingo.

Conair Locating Distribution Center in Mississippi

Conair, a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of personal care and consumer products, is developing a 389,316-square-foot distribution center in the Desoto Trade Center in Southaven, Miss. The site is just south of Memphis across the Mississippi-Tennessee state line. The new center is expected to house 50 employees.

MISSOURI

Folgers Expanding in Kansas City

Folgers Coffee Co. is investing $8 million and creating 50 new jobs in Kansas City. The producer of coffee is adding a new manufacturing line at its existing facility.

New Distribution Center Slated for Boonville

Nordyne Inc., has begun construction of a new 150,000-square-foot distribution center in Boonville, Mo. Nordyne produces air conditioners and furnaces and expects to hire 35 workers for the new center.

NORTH CAROLINA

Network Appliance Set for Big Expansion in RTP

Network Appliance (NetApp), a maker of computer software and storage devices, is expanding its presence in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park. The California-based company is purchasing three former Cisco buildings in RTP that total over 500,000 square feet. The expansion could result in the hiring of 1,000 more workers at RTP.

Semiconductor Company Expands in Triangle

Cree Inc., a home-grown manufacturer of semiconductor materials, is bringing 300 new jobs and about $300 million in investment to the Research Triangle. The company began operations in 1987 when it was the first U.S. company to produce blue and green light-emitting diodes known as LEDs. The expansion will allow Cree to meet demand for its LED chip products, which are used in a variety of applications, including cell phones, automobile dashboards and displays.

Swiss Company Building Plant in North Carolina

Jacob Holm Industries, headquartered in Switzerland, is locating its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Asheville, N.C. The project will create 70 new jobs with an investment of $40 million. The company is a leading manufacturer of nonwoven roll goods that are found in baby wipes cosmetic household and medical cloths.

TAMSCO Expanding in North Carolina

Technical and Management Services Corp. (TAMSCO), a supplier of high-tech electronic equipment for the military, is expanding its presence in Elizabeth City, N.C. The deal will create 100 new jobs with an investment of $20 million. The company is adding 110,000 square feet of space to its wing maintenance hanger adjacent to the Pasquotank County Airport.

Technimark Expands

Technimark, a plastic injection molding company based in Asheboro, N.C., is investing $37 million and adding 31,000 square feet of space. The project will create 79 new jobs.

Boiler Maker Creating 100 Jobs

Weil-McLain, a manufacturer of cast iron boilers, has purchased a former Pillowtex facility in rural Eden, N.C. for a new assembly and logistics operation. The company is a subsidiary of SPX Corp., which is headquartered in Charlotte. Weil-McLain is investing $7 million in the deal and is expected to hire 103 workers.

New Black & Decker Distribution Center Slated for Charlotte

Maryland-based toolmaker Black & Decker is building a 100-employee distribution center in west Charlotte, N.C. The company plans for a 355,000-square-foot center near the interchange of Interstates' 85 and 485. Charlotte is the nation's sixth-largest distribution center.

Harris Microwave Relocating to N.C.

Harris Microwave Communications is relocating its headquarters to Durham, N.C. from the Silicon Valley. The move will create 258 new jobs. The company is one of five divisions within Harris Corp. The company is the largest supplier of microwave systems in North America and delivers wireless solutions to service providers of all types.

OKLAHOMA

Dell Chooses Oklahoma City for Call Center

Round-Rock, Tex.-based Dell Inc., announced it is opening a new call center in Oklahoma City. The nation's largest computer maker and distributor will hire 250 workers at the facility.

King Aerospace Opens in Ardmore

Addison, Tex.-based King Aerospace has opened a 120,000-square-foot aircraft refurbishment facility in Ardmore, Okla. The company will service corporate aircraft at the site.

Petra Industries Expanding

Petra Industries is adding 50,000 square feet to its distribution center in Edmond, Okla. The company distributes consumer electronic accessories.

Carbonyx Completes Expansion

Carbonyx Carbon Technologies has just completed the construction of their 81,000-square-foot Beta Plant at the Ardmore Airpark. The company develops and produces carbon and carbon alloy products used in the manufacturing of steel.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Verizon Announces 850 New Jobs in S.C.

North Charleston is the site of a new Verizon Wireless call center that will employ 850 workers. The telecommunications provider expects the figure to rise to 1,200 workers within three years.

New Jobs, Investment in Laurens

Ceram Tec N.A., a manufacturer of technical ceramics and related products, announced it will be consolidating its New Lebanon, N.Y. facility into its Laurens, S.C. facility. The consolidation will create approximately 60 new jobs in Laurens and represents an investment of $3 million.

SPC Locating in Greenville County

SPC Company, a distributor for an array of industries, announced it plans to invest $5 million and create 150 jobs in Greenville County. SPC provides distribution services for a variety of retailers including Target, Walgreen's and Dollar General.

Distribution Center Expands

Harbor Freight Tools, a tool and equipment retailer based in California, has announced plans to expand its distribution center in Dillon, S.C. The expansion will include a capital investment of $17 million and the creation of 250 to 300 new jobs as the company adds to its distribution and warehouse space, expands a call center at the location and adds a customer service department.

Company Hiring 42 in Edgefield County

Pine Log Machine & Welding is investing $7 million in an expansion in North Augusta/Edgefield County, S.C. The company cited Edgefield's location and the work ethic of the labor force there.

Company Investing $25M in Greenville

Hubbell Lighting is investing $25 million on a new headquarters facility in Greenville. Officials with the company considered moving the headquarters to Asheville, N.C., but decided to stay in the Greenville/Spartanburg area.

TENNESSEE

Deals Happening in Clarksville, Tenn.

Officials with MW/MB LLC, a new corporation established in Montgomery County, Tenn., announced in late June the company will build a $100 million roofing materials plant in Clarksville. The plant is expected to house 100 workers. In the same week, Jostens, a long-time industrial resident of Clarksville, Tenn. announced its plans to expand its printing plant there. The company is adding new equipment and more than 125 new workers at its facility, which prints millions of high school and college yearbooks.

Williams-Sonoma Expanding in Memphis

San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma is investing almost $24 million at its distribution facility in Memphis. The company operates a 3.5 million-square-foot distribution center in the city of Memphis that employs 890 workers. The expansion will add about 150 new jobs, bringing the work force there to over 1,000.

Asurion Adding 200

Asurion Corp., which moved its headquarters to Nashville from California in the summer of 2003, is adding 200 workers in the Music City. The company sells wireless handset and data device insurance programs and roadside assistance services for wireless customers. To date, Asurion has created over 600 jobs in Nashville.

Food Processor Expands

Rich Products is adding 120,000 square feet and investing $40 million at its frozen foods facility in Arlington, Tenn. The project is expected to create 130 new jobs.

TEXAS

Home Depot Invests in New Braunfels

Atlanta-based Home Depot announced a new customer service center in New Braunfels, Tex. The center will provide support services for facility management customers of the retail chain. Up to 375 workers are expected to be hired.

Home Depot Invests in Austin

Home Depot is investing $250 million in Austin for a data center that will link all of the retailer's 1,700 U.S. stores. The data center will house about 500 workers.

Samsung Hiring 300

Samsung is adding 300 people as part of its $500 million, three-year expansion project announced in 2003. The company is adding 34,000 square feet to its semiconductor plant in Austin.

Company Relocating from Fresno to Dallas

The Vendo Co., is relocating headquarter and manufacturing operations from Fresno, Calif., to Dallas. Vendo makes beverage and other vending machines. The company will move into a 300,000-square-foot facility that will house 300 new workers.

Lighting Manufacturer will Expand

Wide-Lite, a maker of lighting products, is moving ahead with a 250,000-square-foot expansion after a delay of three years since it was first announced. The $19 million project will create 150 new jobs.

Window Maker Building Big Plant

New Jersey-based window maker Silver Line Building Products is building a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Garland, Tex. Garland is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro. The company is expected to hire 265 workers for the facility.

AutoZone Creating 500 Jobs in Texas

Memphis-based AutoZone will hire 500 workers at its new distribution center in Terrell, Tex. The company is closing its San Antonio facility when the Terrell center opens in the fall quarter.

California Company Picks Denison

Florestone Products, a California-based manufacturer of sinks and shower floors, has chosen Denison, Tex., for a 127,000-square-foot plant that will house 70 workers. The $6.5 million facility is the first for the company outside of California.

Plant, Distribution Center Announced in Texas

Behr Process Corp., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of paints and stains, has purchased 22.5 acres of land in the Roanoke, Tex. section of the AllianceTexas development. The company plans to build a 400,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility on the site that will house 125 new workers. Behr is headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Michigan-based Masco Corp.

Insurance Company Opening Call Center

21st Century Insurance is opening a call center in Lewisville, Tex. that is expected to create 1,500 new jobs within three years. The company expects to have the center operational by October in a 136,000-square-foot building in Lewisville.

VIRGINIA

Coors to Open Virginia Brewery

Colorado-based Coors Brewing Co. announced in the summer it will open its third U.S. brewery in Elkton, Va. The company has operated a packing plant in Elkton for 17 years. The brewer is expected to invest almost $200 million in the project. Coors officials estimated that the new brewery will save the company about $25 million annually in shipping costs. Coors two U.S. breweries are located in Golden, Colo., and Memphis, Tenn.

Another Deal in Henry County

Henry County, Va., the only rural market in the South since 1992 to earn "Small Market of the Year" more than once in the annual SB&D 100, has landed a new technical support and customer care center. StarTek, a Colorado-based company, announced it would hire 500 workers within the next 30 months and invest $5 million in Henry County. The company is a provider of business process outsourced services, which consist of business process management and supply chain services. It's the second operation for StarTek in Virginia. The company is building a facility in Lynchburg.

Morningstar Expands in Rockingham County

Morningstar, a dairy company, announced a $57 million expansion that will create 50 jobs in Rockingham County, Va. Virginia won out over California, Kentucky, Maryland and New York for the deal.

Flooring Company Hiring 200 in Southside

Columbia Flooring is investing $13.5 million and adding 200 jobs at its facility in Danville, which is located in Virginia's Southside region. The company is headquartered in Danville and operates facilities in four other Southern states.

QUIZ ANSWER

The tarpon capital of the world is Boca Grande (d), located on the north side of Charlotte Harbor, the bay that was slammed by Hurricane Charley. Catches of 100-plus pound tarpon near Boca Grande Pass have been common for decades.