For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to RandleReport.com. For all projects announced in the South and more, go to SB-D.com. For more information on the automotive industry in the South, go to SouthernAutoCorridor.com.
Regional/National
Construction workforce shortage tops 500,000
According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, the labor crunch in the U.S. construction industry shows no signs of ending anytime soon. The industry needs to attract an estimated 501,000 additional workers beyond the normal pace of hiring this year and 454,000 new workers in 2025 as construction demand is expected to slow somewhat next year.
CBRE’s 2024 U.S. Investor Intentions Survey shines on the South
Included in the top 10 of CBRE’s top 10 markets for total property returns were Dallas/Fort Worth; South Florida; Raleigh/Durham; Nashville; Atlanta; Charlotte; Tampa and Washington, D.C. Make the top 10 outside the South were Boston and New York City.
U.S. News and World Report’s top 10 places to live in the U.S.
U.S. News and World Report recently named their best places to live in the U.S. in 2023 and 2024 and Green Bay, Wisc. Claimed first place. Huntsville, Ala.; Raleigh/Durham was third followed by Boulder, Colo. and Sarasota, Fla. Making up the top five.
Those were followed by Naples, Fla.; Portland, Me.; Charlotte, N.C.: Colorado Springs, Colo. and Fayetteville, Ark.
Alabama
Alabama sets record for exports
For the second consecutive year, Alabama has set a new value record for exports with $27.4 billion.
Overseas shipments of Alabama-made vehicles, aerospace parts, minerals and metals, as well as other products, rose more than 6% from the 2022 mark of $25.5 billion, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“Looking forward, the potential for greater export growth is there, and we are already exploring new and expanding markets for Alabama companies,” said Alabama
Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, who is succeeding Greg Canfield in that role.
New aluminum project forges ahead in South Alabama, even though costs have risen 60 percent
Novelis is building a monster of an aluminum production plant in North Baldwin County, Ala. The site is at the former South Alabama Megasite.
Initially, the project was to cost a tad over $2.5 billion. Now, it’s estimated the plant, which will take up much of the 3,000-acre site, will cost just over $4 billion to build.
Steve Fisher, CEO of Novelis, said that the facility will be a “true plant of the future,” giving the lifetime of the plant of “decades.” The facility was announced to house 1,000 employees. According to Fisher, automotive and beverage contracts have already been secured to where the factory will be profitable well into the future.
From Alabama to space: ULA’s Vulcan Rocket blasts off on inaugural mission
United Launch Alliance’s next-generation Vulcan rocket lifted off for the first time in Florida in January on a mission that marked a new era of space capabilities for the company’s Alabama-made rockets.
Payloads are heading to the Moon and include the ashes of several deceased “Star Trek” celebrities. “Vulcan’s inaugural launch ushers in a new, innovative capability to meet the ever-growing requirements of space launch,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO.
ULA assembles the Vulcan rocket at its sprawling factory in Decatur, where it has also built the Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles being replaced by Vulcan. ULA and its partner, Beyond Gravity, which makes payload fairings, are expanding the Decatur production site through projects valued at $350 million that will create a total of 200 jobs.
Montgomery, Ala. Hyundai workers announce union drive; UAW eyes Tesla, VW and Mercedes
Workers at a Hyundai plant in Montgomery have launched a union drive, the second announced organization effort at a major Alabama automotive manufacturer in the last month. The other is at the state’s Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County. That plant has fended off union efforts several times in its 26-year history.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) claimed in the winter quarter that 30 percent of workers at Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery had signed union cards.
Gov. Kay Ivey sets goal for Alabama to have highest starting teacher salary in the South
Alabama’s starting teacher pay could be going up to $47,600 - the highest among neighboring states, if Gov. Kay Ivey gets her way.
Primordial Ventures, a medical supplies manufacturing start-up, plans Birmingham production hub
The veteran and minority-owned company plans to create 30 new jobs at the Alabama facility.
Airbus continues constructing three new A320 hangar bays in Mobile
The aerospace giant’s major expansion is slated to bring 1,000 new jobs to the Mobile facility, doubling its industrial footprint in Alabama. Last May, the facility celebrated the delivery of its 100th Alabama-built A320 Family aircraft to Delta Air Lines.
Brasfield & Gorrie to expand Birmingham HQ
One of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms will expand its national headquarters with an $18.9 million investment. The expansion project will create 85 new, quality jobs.
Conecuh Sausage expanding in Andalusia, Ala.
The iconic Alabama maker of hickory smoked sausages will invest $58 million and create 110 with its second production facility in the state.
Myer Companies plans expansion in Mobile County
The engineering, fabrication and repair service company will invest $2.6 million and create 26 new jobs.
AE Industrial Partners affiliate Rocket Shoals LLC has acquired an industrial facility in Colbert County
The sprawling industrial facility will be used for aerospace manufacturing and will become the new headquarters for aerospace suppliers and manufacturers.
Toyota begins production on new engine line in Huntsville, Ala.
Toyota Alabama announced that it has begun production of its i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine line at its Huntsville engine plant, culminating a $222 million corporate investment in the project. The 2,000 employee plant will provide powertrains for the new Tacoma pickup.
Douglas Manufacturing expands in Pell City, Ala.
The conveyor systems manufacturer will construct a state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot idler plant at its Industrial Park Drive location in Pell City with an $11.7 million investment. The expansion will create 50 new jobs.
Arkansas
Missile manufacturer breaks ground on plant in East Camden, Ark.
R2S, a joint venture between Rafael Advanced System and Raytheon, broke ground in a new manufacturing facility in late February in East Camden. Sixty workers will be hired to build the Tamir missile for the Iron Dome Weapon System. R2S will invest $63 million in the project.
Hope Baking Co. expansion is underway in Hope, Ark.
The $37 million project is expected to create 266 new jobs.
Walther Manufacturing to expand firearm manufacturing facility in Fort Smith
The company plans to spend $30 million in western Arkansas, creating 76 new jobs.
Florida
Panacea Global Energy Inc. secured 63 acres in Osceola County for green tech campus, to create 1,200 jobs
A subsidiary of French renewable energy leader, CMG Clean Tech, Panacea Global Energy Inc. will build a flagship green garden village, a first-of-its-kind renewable energy research park.
Disney plans massive $60 billion spending plan for theme parks, cruises
The Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment giant has announced its 10 year plan, suggesting expansions at its Central Florida theme parks, cruise lines and more.
Kaseya to create 3,400 jobs in Miami, Fla.
The global IT management software firm will make a capital investment of more than $16 million to expand in Miami-Dade County, creating up to 3,400 high-paying jobs.
MSC Group to open $100 million North American Cruise HQ in South Florida
The international shipping company will open a 120-square-foot cruise division in Miami’s downtown. The new headquarters is expected to create 668 new jobs.
Georgia
By capturing so many data centers, Georgia now needs more power
Georgia Power has approached regulators in the Peach State to request approval to bring more electric power to the state, even after the company just started up the nation’s first new nuclear reactor in decades last year. The wave of economic development projects Georgia has captured in the form of the electric vehicle and battery industry and data centers is already putting a strain on the grid in the state.
Company officials claimed in the winter that it needed to produce more power and fast. Most of that additional electricity capacity will come in the form of fossil fuels being burned at this point. Much of the forecasted additional demand – about 80 percent – is driven by the power needed new data centers slated for the state. Data centers, while a tax generating bonanza for states and communities, are notoriously large electricity and water users.
AJC moves offices to Midtown Atlanta
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution is moving its operations from the Atlanta suburbs to a new office on Midtown’s Peachtree Street. The media property will least 21,000 square feet in its relocation to the city’s center. AJC is looking to hire 100 new worker in the move. Its goal is to top 500,000 in its subscription base.
Hyundai supplier to create 200 jobs in Georgia
Doowon Climate Control America will build a new plant near Metter in Candler County, Ga. The $30 million investment will create 200 new jobs.
Gov. Brian Kemp said that Georgia’s expanding EV industry is benefiting rural corners of the state. “In fiscal year 2023, alone, 82 percent of new jobs created and more than $20 billion of investments went to communities outside the metro Atlanta area,” Kemp said in a news release.
Gerresheimer to expand in Peachtree City
The medical device manufacturer is expanding with an $88 million investment in a new facility at the Southpark International Industrial Park. Bringing 200 new jobs to Fayette County, operations at the new facility will begin in fall 2024.
Amazon buys 430-acre site east of Atlanta
One of the world’s largest companies has purchased a massive site within the fast-growing industrial corridor east of Atlanta. Amazon Data Services Inc., a subsidiary of online retail giant Amazon, paid $36 million for the Covington, Ga. site that could soon house a large data center campus.
Qcells signs huge, 2,000 job deal to build solar panels for Microsoft in Ga.
The solar panel maker will supply tech giant Microsoft with Georgia-made solar panels, enough solar modules to power 1.8 million homes. The project is considered one of the largest such deals in history.
Mailchimp cuts ribbon on new Atlanta headquarters
The whimsy designed, Beltline adjacent office space opened as a 360,000-square-foot white-collar workers playground, with tiki-themed rooms and quirky backdrops.
Solarcycle to create 600 jobs in Polk County, Ga.
The advanced technology-based solar recycling company will invest $344 million in a first-of-its-kind solar glass manufacturing facility in Cedartown. The facility will use retired solar panels to make new solar glass.
Kentucky
Gov. Beshear joins North American Stainless to celebrate $244 million Carroll County, Ky. expansion
Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leadership from North American Stainless (NAS) and its parent company, Spain-based Acerinox, to celebrate the one-year mark since the company announced a $244 million expansion at its Carroll County facility, a project creating 70 full-time jobs.
The expansion to the company’s 4.4 million-square-foot Ghent facility consists of a new cold rolling mill, new roll grinders, extensive upgrades of anneal and pickling lines to support the new rolling mill, a new temper mill and the expansion of the melt shop building.
Details on Kentucky’s $9 billion bourbon economic impact
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) held its 2024 Bourbon Economic Impact Announcement in February. Gov. Andy Beshear was quoted as saying to the crowd, “Bourbon is America’s native spirit, and even during a time when Kentucky’s whole economy is on fire, this industry continues to play a unique and enormous role in driving our economy and representing Kentucky to the rest of the world.” The 2023 report, titled “The Economic & Fiscal Impacts of the Distilling Industry in Kentucky," valued the collective economic impact at $9 billion.
Toyota boosts investment to $1.3 billion for Kentucky battery production
The automotive leader announced the investment in their flagship Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) facility in Georgetown, cementing their commitment to being a long-term employer and establishing the automotive plant as a central part of Toyota’s electrification strategy. The company plans on producing an all-new, three-row battery electric SUV. With a total investment of $10 billion, TMMK is Toyota’s largest production facility globally, having produced 12 million vehicles including the Camry, America’s best-selling sedan.
Crown Verity USA Inc. to expand operations in Warren County
The grill and cookware manufacturer will spend $9.7 million expand and consolidate its fabrication operation, creating 73 jobs in Kentucky.
WPT Nonwovens cuts ribbon on new facility in Ohio County, Ky.
The $19.5 million, 35 job, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will add capacity for HVAC filtration media and hygiene fabrics.
Staghorn, an Atlanta-based spirits company, opens first distillery, Garrard County Distilling Co.
The $250 million facility in Garrard County, Ky. will support 60 new jobs. This is the first commercial distillery in the formerly dry county.
Bosch Berries to locate agri-business in Pulaski County, Ky.
The $49.5 million investment in a new greenhouse operation in Somerset will create 29 new, full-time jobs.
Tyson Food cuts ribbon at Bowling Green facility
The state-of-the-art, $355 million food production facility will create nearly 450 full-time jobs in Warren County. At 400,000-square-feet, the facility will produce classic Tyson Brands like Jimmy Dean and Wright Brand bacon. The advanced facility is equipped with high-tech robots for increase efficiency.
Belmark Inc. to locate new operation in Allen County
The manufacturer of packaging will invest $99 million on their new 156,000-square-foot flexible packaging plant, creating 159 full-time jobs.
Louisiana
Wind farms and carbon capture not likely to share the same areas off Louisiana’s coast
A turf war is brewing off the Southwest Louisiana coast where carbon capture projects and wind farms want the same seafloor off of Cameron Parish. From reports:
Lake Charles Methanol II, LLC plans to invest $3.24 billion in new Louisiana plant
The plant will produce low-carbon methanol at the Port of Lake Charles, creating 123 direct new jobs in Calcasieu Parish.
Life for Tyres Group Limited announces $46 million tire recycling facility in La.
Europe’s largest end-of-stage tire recycling company, the company will establish its first U.S. processing facility at the Port of South Louisiana, creating 46 direct new jobs in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Lincoln Foodservice Equipment, a Welbilt company, to establish operations in Caddo Parish, La.
The producer of commercial-grade foodservice equipment will create 99 direct new jobs with salaries above $50,000.
Boise Cascade announces $75 million expansion in Allen Parish
The wood products and veneer maker will create a total of 107 direct and indirect jobs for southwest Louisiana.
Mississippi
Mississippi captures its largest single investment in AWS
Amazon Web Services is investing $10 billion to establish multiple data center complexes in two Madison County industrial parks. The project is a planned $10 billion corporate investment and will create at least 1,000 high-paying, high-tech jobs.
This investment by AWS is the single largest capital investment in Mississippi history and four times the size of the previous largest economic development project.
AWS is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. These data centers will enable customers of all sizes and across all industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, financial services, public sector, telecom, and more, to transform their businesses. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile and innovate faster.
The new data centers will contain computer servers, data storage drives, networking equipment, and other forms of technology infrastructure used to power cloud computing.
Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority funds will be used to assist with infrastructure needs, workforce training and site development.
Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority said about the project, “MDA is proud to have been instrumental in the successful culmination of this transformative $10 billion project. This monumental win underscores Mississippi’s attractiveness for major investments and signifies a boost to our economic landscape.
In about a 10-day stretch, Mississippi captures its two largest projects in history
A joint venture among Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses and PACCAR, have chosen Marshall County, Miss. for a $1.9 billion electric battery cell production plant. The project will create 2,000 jobs.
Accelera, Daimler Truck and PACCAR each own 30% of, and jointly control, the joint venture. EVE Energy will serve as the technology partner in the joint venture with 10% ownership. The joint venture aims to accelerate and localize battery cell production and the battery supply chain in the U.S. The company will manufacture battery cells for electric commercial vehicles and industrial applications, creating quality manufacturing jobs in the growing clean technology sector.
CORE X Partners to establish cold storage in Gulfport, Miss.
The global supply chain and cold storage industry leader will break ground this year on a 150,000-square-foot cold storage facility. Serving food producers and manufacturing across the Southeast, the company will create a total of 73 jobs.
Cummins, Daimler Truck and Paccar to build $1.9 billion battery facility in Marshall County, Miss.
The tri-venture will bring 2,000 jobs at the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park in Byhalia, Mississippi. The operation will produce batteries for medium and heavy duty commercial electric trucks.
North Carolina
Disney to invest $1.5 billion in ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games; N.C. facility a go?
The game maker took down an entire mall for its new headquarters in Cary, N.C. and that project was thought to be lost. The Walt Disney company will invest $1.5 billion in Epic where the game maker to create a “games and entertainment universe” on the property. New games featuring characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more are expected to be created.
Siemens Energy is bringing more than 500 jobs to North Carolina
The manufacturing jobs will be located in both Mecklenburg and Wake counties. The jobs are high-paying, with minimum wages of more than $87,000, according to what the company told the state, Siemens Energy plan to invest nearly $150 million across both counties, where it already has operations. In Mecklenburg County, the company will establish its first manufacturing site in the U.S. to build Large Power Transformers (LPTs), a critical component of the nation’s power grid.
Cummins plans $580 million investment in Nash County
The engine and generator manufacturer will create 80 jobs in Eastern North Carolina with its investment in new equipment and upgrading its assembly line “for next generation products.”
Dominion Energy buys 500 acres for massive N.C. facility
The land buy in Person County precedes the breaking ground on a liquified natural gas storage facility.
Aircraft MRO to open at N.C.’s PTI
Marshall USA is scheduled to open its new aircraft maintenance facility at Greensboro’s Piedmont Triad International Airport. The project will create 240 jobs.
Dehn Inc. will invest $38.6 million and create 195 jobs in Iredell County, N.C.
The family owned German electrical engineering company manufactures surge and lightning protections systems and safety equipment.
Food manufacturer to open $42.25 million operation in Gaston County
Häns Kissle cut the ribbon at its new facility, where it plans to employ more than 200 workers. The company makes salads and prepared foods that are sold in grocery stores.
Japan-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Kyowa Kirin selects N.C. for $200 million project
The life sciences company will create more than 100 high-paying jobs at the new Helix Innovation Park at the Brickyard.
Fujihatsu & Toyotsu Battery Components, North Carolina LLC to invest $60 million near Toyota plant in Randolph County
The venture will produce prismatic aluminum cell cases and cell covers with discharge values. The Toyota supplier will create 133 jobs.
GXP-Storage is developing $80 million campus in Nash County
The biopharma storage firm will locate its headquarters at the Middlesex Corporate Centre, near Raleigh. The company plans on hiring nearly 100 employees.
Drylock Technologies to invest $27 million, create 113 jobs in Reidsville, N.C.
The Belgian maker of hygiene products picked the former Albaad site in Rockingham County to relocate their baby-care production from Europe. The company is moving in to an existing 450,000-square-foot building.
Oklahoma
Stardust Power selects Muskogee, Okla., to build battery-grade lithium refinery
The company will make a more than $1 billion investment in the lithium refinery.
Automated production machine maker bdtronic to expand in Broken Arrow, Okla.
The announcement secures 60 new jobs with an average wage of $66,000.
South Carolina
South Carolina announces second highest year in industry investment in state history
The South Carolina Department of Commerce reported that from January to December, 2023, the state saw $9.22 billion in capital investment with 14,120 announced jobs, the second highest. Notably, there were three announcements with investments of $1 billion or more. They are Scout Motors, Albemarle Corporation and QTS Data Centers.
Tech giant Google to build data center in S.C.
The company purchased a property in Dorchester County. The location of the property and Google’s investment amount has not been disclosed.
Tesla to establish first S.C. facility in Greenville County
The electric car company plans to lease 251,100-square-feet to create a regional parts distribution facility.
SHL Medical, Switzerland-based pharma manufacturer to expand in North Charleston
The provider of advanced drug delivery solutions is building a $150 million facility to meet the demand of the autoinjector market. The project will create 165 jobs in the Charleston area.
Nova Molecular Technologies expanding Sumter, S.C. facility
Nova Molecular Technologies (Nova), a high-purity solvents manufacturer, today announced it is expanding its operations in Sumter County. The company’s $23.75 million investment will create 20 new jobs.
Founded in Texas in 1991, Nova is a leader in high-value solvent recovery technology. The company’s Recover and Return model launched in 2017 and helps customers reduce their environmental impact by recovering chemicals that would otherwise be sent to waste disposal. Nova also manufactures and markets chemicals that are used in the biopharma, analytical and agricultural markets.
Tennessee
Type One Energy moves HQ to Tennessee from Wisconsin
Tennessee has selected its first recipient of Gov. Bill Lee’s nuclear energy fund. Type One Energy Group Inc. will receive funding tied to its $223 million investment in East Tennessee, according to a news release from the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
The company will build the world’s most advanced stellarator at TVA’s Bull Run Fossil Plant. The energy company will move its headquarters from Madison, Wisconsin, to Knoxville and expand its research and development center in Clinton, Tenn.
Oracle continues plans to build 1.2 million-square-foot campus in Nashville
The tech giant has purchased the industrial riverfront on the east bank of the Cumberland River, signaling the continuation of its 2021 announced, $1.35 billion investment in the River North campus. The project will create 8,500 jobs by 2031.
LG Chem signs $19 billion deal with GM
With construction of LG Chem’s $3.2 billion factory in Clarksville, the largest foreign investment in Tennessee history, the South Korean battery maker has agreed to provide GM with battery materials able to power 5 million all-electric vehicles with a 300 mile range.
Genera to expand its Sustainable Biomaterials Campus in Vonore, Tenn.
The vertically integrated manufacturer of circular, compostable packaging solutions will spend $350 million in capital investment, creating 230 new jobs.
Xxentria Technology announces $45 million investment to establish facility in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn.
Based in Taiwan, the leading manufacturer of metal composite material will create 85 new jobs at the Cherry Glen Industrial Park.
Custom Foods of America Inc. to expand in Knox County
The Tennessee-based food product manufacturer will create 249 new jobs with a $51 million investment at its Pleasant Ridge location.
Fiberglass and polymer concrete manufacturer NewBasis, LLC to establish operations in Wilson County, Tenn.
The company will create 249 new jobs.
FreightWise to expand Brentwood, Tenn. headquarters
The logistics data company will create 48 new jobs and invest $2 million in Williamson County.
Baltimore Aircoil to expand in Rhea County
The HVAC and refrigeration manufacturer will create 63 new jobs and invest $16.5 million to expand operations at its Manufacturers Road location in Dayton, Tenn.
Technology Lab to create 71 jobs in Nashville
The company will invest $1.8 million to expand its services in the Greater Nashville region.
Texas
Apple moving more jobs from California to Austin
By relocating about 120 jobs to Austin from California, tech giant Apple is growing its AI operations in the Capital City. According to Bloomberg, Apple is moving employees who work at the company’s Data Operations Annotations unit that they would be merging with the Texas portion of the group. The unit involved in artificial intelligence and Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri. Apple currently employs about 7,000 workers in the Austin area, more than any other place outside of the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters.
Austin named No. 1 by Millen Institute’s 2024 Best Performing Cities
The Austin area has retaken the top spot on the Milken Institute's prestigious 2024 Best-Performing Cities list. The index from the nonprofit think tank has been published annually since 1999 and ranks cities on a variety of metrics, including job creation, wage growth and output growth.
Samsung’s current economic effect on the Austin region is enormous
South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics Co. has put out new numbers to show the mighty effect the company has on the Austin area.
Samsung said in February is has invested $26.8 billion into the economy in the past year, which includes its long-running chip plant in Austin and its new factory being built in Taylor, Texas. The company employs about 15,000 direct jobs and it is unclear from reports if that includes thousands of construction workers building the new plant.
To put that amount into perspective, Tesla Inc. reported that the overall impact from its Giga Texas factory in eastern Travis County contributed $987 million to the gross state product in 2022.
Japanese Samsung supplier gets new digs in Austin
Samsung supplier Tokyo Electron has a new home in Austin. Tokyo Electron, which is based in Japan but considers Austin its North American headquarters, supplies customers with equipment used to manufacture semiconductors and other electronics.
Norwegian EV parts supplier set to spend millions, hire hundreds in Mesquite, Texas
Hexagon Purus ASA, which makes batteries and systems for electric vehicles, is moving into existing facilities in Mesquite. The project will create 250 jobs.
Tesla to occupy 1 million square feet in Kyle, Texas
EV automaker and Austin-headquartered Tesla is moving forward with a warehouse and light assembly facility in Kyle. No word on jobs.
Vehicle parts manufacturer for Tesla to open plant in Austin metro
US Farathane, parts supplier to Tesla’s Austin factory, announced in the winter it open a plant in North Austin. The project will create 100 jobs.
Global automotive parts supplier to invest $100 million north of Austin
Hanwha Advanced Materials LLC, a massive global automotive parts supplier is investing $100 million and hiring hundreds as it sets up shop in Williamson County, north of Austin. The company will build its new plant in Georgetown.
Natural gas power plant slated for Texas east of Austin
Sandow Lakes Energy Company is building a 1,200-megawatt natural gas power plant in Milam County, Texas at the former site of the 31,000-acre Alcoa aluminum plant. It is near where Samsung is building its multi-billion semiconductor campus.
Firefly Aerospace is growing in Central Texas
It all started with one rocket testing stand in the rural Central Texas town of Briggs, north of Leander. Today, Firefly Aerospace has grown into a commercial space payload company that plans four rocket launches this year, six to eight next year and a dozen in 2026. The company has doubled its manufacturing space and added new rocket stands as its new contract with Northrup Grumman takes off.
Grainger to open large facility in Hockley, Texas
Illinois-based W.W. Grainger, a distributor of maintenance and repair products, is opening one its largest U.S. facilities near Houston. The 1.2-million-square-foot facility will house 400 workers.
MGC Pure Chemicals America Inc. plans $130 million expansion in Killeen, Texas.
The chemicals manufacturer will double capacity to serve customers like Samsung, which is building a $1 billion plant 60 miles away.
Brazil-based Zallby Digital announces first U.S. headquarters in Frisco, Tex.
A leading provider of digital solutions, the company will establish a headquarters at The Star in Frisco, which is also the headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys.
Defense giant Lockheed Martin to expand in Fort Worth
The company will lease 136,265 square feet of industrial space to be used as a storage facility. Lockheed Martin has been producing aircraft from its Fort Worth factory at 1 Lockheed Blvd. since World War II.
Elon Musk wants to move Tesla, SpaceX Incorporation to Texas
The Tesla, SpaceX and X chief executive said the company will hold a shareholder vote to decide whether to incorporate in the Lone Star State.
Swedish firm relocates North American HQ to Plano, Texas from Connecticut
Assa Abloy Global Solutions, which operates in more than 70 countries, is a manufacturer of locks, doors and other high-tech security systems. The company will hire 350 in the move.
Virginia
Dominion receives approval for $9.8 billion wind farm off Virginal coast
The 2.6-gigawatt farm will generate enough renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes once complete.
Real Estate firm CoStar to relocate HQ out of DC and into NOVA
Real Estate data company CoStar Group will move its headquarters from downtown D.C. to Arlington, Va. The company employs about 650 in D.C.
Wizards and Capitals to move to Virginia
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is expected to move to the new $2 billion Entertainment District at Potomac Yard.
Universal Logistics Holdings plans to invest $50 million, create 45 jobs in Botetourt County
The Michigan-based transportation and logistics company will expand its heavy truck division at its 254,000-square-foot building in Cloverdale.
Mack Trucks will invest $14.5 million to expand in Roanoke County
The Swedish-based Volvo Group subsidiary and heavy-duty truck manufacturer will expand its current production facility by 72,000-square-feet to increase capacity for its medium-duty truck line and medium-duty electric truck line. The project will create 51 new jobs.
Solenis plans $193 Suffolk, Va. Facility
The Wilmington, Delaware-based producer of specialty chemicals will build an 80,000-square-foot production facility to supply the waste water treatment, pulp and paper industries. The facility will house approximately 100 employees.
Southern Business & Development
8086 Westchester Place
Montgomery AL 36117
205.871.1220
| SECTIONS | MAGAZINE | OTHER NEWS |