Relocations and Expansions - Fall 2017

All of the significant new starts, expansions and relocations announced in the South in the last quarter

ALABAMA

Steelmaker moving HQ from Chicago to Alabama - Swedish steelmaker SSAB Americas announced plans to relocate the division’s head office from suburban Chicago to Mobile, Ala. — a move that will bring 60 new jobs with it. The company has operated a mill north of Mobile since 2001. SSAB develops high-strength steels.

Louisiana bank to open regional headquarters in Hoover

Louisiana-based IberiaBank will locate a regional headquarters in Hoover, Ala. The existing 130,000-square-foot office building located there will house more than 450 employees.

 

Seven-hundred new jobs coming to Huntsville

The Huntsville City Council has approved the Aerojet Rocketdyne expansion project worth an estimated $27 million that will employ over 700 people. Part of the project will involve the creation of an advanced manufacturing plant to build propulsion engines for the SLS deep space rocket. The new development will also feature defense business headquarters and a rocket shop.

 

Z Modular to create 100 jobs with new Birmingham facility

Z Modular, a division of
the Chicago-based Zekelman Industries, plans to open a 106,000-square-foot advanced production facility in Birmingham that will eventually have 100 employees. At the Alabama facility, Z Modular will produce modular units that will be shipped across the U.S. to construction projects.

 

Talladega  approves tax incentive for new Georgia Pacific facility

The Talladega City Council approved a $5.2 million tax abatement for Georgia Pacific to bring a lumber production facility to the city. The company said the mill will cost $100 million to build and will employ more than 100 people.

 

Call center slated for Anniston

Viiz Communications, a Canadian call center firm, is locating a call center in Anniston, Ala. The deal calls for 150 jobs.

 

ARKANSAS

Snack company expanding in Arkansas - One of rural Jackson County’s largest employers is expanding its workforce. Shearer’s Snacks is hiring 85 workers to bring its employment to nearly 500.

New drug manufacturer starts up in Arkansas

OurPharma, a startup drug manufacturer, is investing $31.1 million to open a new facility in Fayetteville. The project will start with 12 employees, but the company expects to employ over 100 within seven years.

 

Telecommunications firm doubling Arkansas operations

First Orion, a company that provides caller ID and call blocking services, is moving its headquarters to North Little Rock. The firm will add about 100 positions.

 

Twenty-million-dollar plant, 130 new jobs coming to Jonesboro

China-based manufacturer Hefei Risever Machinery is building its first U.S. plant in Jonesboro, less than one hour from Memphis. Risever produces parts for heavy equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar, Volvo and Komatsu. The new facility will cost $20 million and will employ 130 people when fully operational.

 

Canfor’s sawmill in Urbana, Ark., will add second shift

Canfor Southern Pine has made an investment of $8.8 million for upgrades at its sawmill in Union County, Ark. Installing a third continuous dry kiln will potentially lead to 36 new jobs at the mill.

 

Simmons Foods to build $300 million chicken plant in Benton County

Simmons Prepared Foods will spend $300 million on a new chicken facility that will create about 1,500 jobs in Benton County, bringing total employment at the operation to more than 2,300 people by 2022.

 

FLORIDA

Tropic Ocean Airways to add 100 Florida jobs - Tropic Ocean Airways will create 100 new jobs in South Florida next year as it expands its fleet of seaplanes operating out of Fort Lauderdale. The new jobs will include pilots, administrative and salespeople.

Major defense hiring going on in Central Florida

Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are hiring in Melbourne and Orlando, Fla. Both have recently landed defense projects. Northrop is hiring 150 in Melbourne, and Lockheed Martin is hiring more than 900 people in Orlando and Melbourne.

 

Company hiring 400 in Melbourne

Jacksonville-based Enhanced Resources Centers, a provider of business process outsourcing, is expanding to Melbourne. The company is adding 400 jobs.

 

Satellite plant rises on Space Coast

OneWeb, whose new $85 million, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant is under construction in Merritt Island’s Exploration Park, has begun hiring engineers and associates. The plant will ultimately create 250 jobs.

 

Amazon plans to create 5,000 JAX jobs

Amazon plans to create up to 5,000 jobs at its two fulfillment centers in Northwest and West Jacksonville, Fla.

 

MetLife adding 430 jobs in Tampa

MetLife will invest $25 million to grow its operations in Tampa. The company currently employs about 1,500 at its campus there. The expansion will add 430 positions.

 

Panama City base captures 1,600 jobs from the Air Force - The Air Force has chosen Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., as the site for the new MQ-9 Reaper Wing drone division. The $250 million project will create 1,600 new jobs.

Financial website launches new Florida HQ

The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website, moved into its new headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg in the fall quarter. The move will create 165 new jobs.

 

FedEx Ground Ocala hiring

FedEx Ground, which has a massive distribution center in Ocala, Fla.,  is seeking to hire 150 to 200 new package handlers.

 

Sixt Car Rental to create 300 jobs in new Fort Lauderdale HQ

Sixt, a car rental company that made its name in Europe, will establish its North American headquarters in Fort Lauderdale and create 300 jobs. The project means $10.4 million in capital investment.

 

St. Johns County approves incentives for PGA Tour HQ

The St. Johns County commission voted unanimously to approve a $2.8 million incentive package for the Tour to build a headquarters building on property the PGA owns. The Tour told the commission in its proposal that the larger headquarters building and continued growth of the Tour will result in more than 300 additional jobs created by 2030.

 

Headquarters captured by Hillsborough County

Siemens and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation have chosen the Tampa Regional Industrial Park in Hillsborough County, Fla., as the headquarters location for their new joint venture, Advanced Airfoil Components. The manufacturing facility expects to create 350 new jobs with a capital investment of $139 million.

 

GEORGIA

Georgia expanding cybersecurity training center

Gov. Nathan Deal announced in the fall an appropriation of $35 million for the Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center in Augusta. Construction began earlier this year on the $58 million cyber center.

 

Beef processor expanding capacity in Georgia

National Beef Packing, a company that processes high quality beef, will expand capacity at its production plant in Moultrie, Ga. The $30 million project will add 100 jobs.

 

Anthem doubles down in Atlanta

The parent company of Blue Cross/Blue Shield has inked a deal to develop a 352,000-square-foot technology hub in midtown Atlanta. The 21-story building will house some 3,000 IT professionals. In announcing its initial investment last year, Anthem said it would bring about 1,800 IT-related jobs over the next six years to the Atlanta area. This new investment nearly doubles that commitment.

 

Purina to invest $320 million in Georgia plant

Pet food manufacturer Purina, owned by Swiss food giant Nestlé, will spend $320 million on a factory and distribution center in northeast Georgia. The plant will be located in Hartwell, and will employ 240 people at full strength. 

 

Georgia Ports Authority announces two companies and 150 jobs

During his presentation, GPA executive director Griff Lynch announced that two major e-commerce players plan to move into the Savannah market, creating another 150 jobs and adding nearly 1 million square feet to the area’s industrial footprint. Noble House, a national furniture supplier, will build a 630,000-square-foot facility to serve the eastern half of the U.S., while home accessories company Best Choice will build 345,000 square feet.

 

Alcon invests $97 million to expand Georgia plant

Alcon, a contact lenses manufacturer, is pumping $97 million into its facility in Johns Creek, Ga. The company has invested nearly $600 million in the plant, which houses several hundred workers. The expansion will add 200 more.

 

Amazon adds fourth Georgia fulfillment center, 500 jobs

Amazon will create more than 500 full-time jobs at a new fulfillment center in Macon-Bibb County. This will be Amazon’s fourth fulfillment center in the state. Amazon will lease 1 million square feet of industrial space in Macon for the facility.

 

Delta to hire 300 IT staffers in Atlanta

Delta Air Lines plans to hire 300 information technology employees over the next 12 months. . .most of which will be located at the airline’s headquarters near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The new hires will help the airline grow its expertise in cloud technology, apps and other areas.

 

Candor Healthcare to create 675 jobs in Floyd County

Candor, a healthcare coverage marketplace based in Rome, Ga., which specializes in pairing consumers with health plans, will create 675 jobs in Floyd County. The company plans to invest $39 million as it hires, builds out and trains its technical, sales and customer management teams.

 

Instacart delivers 100 jobs to Columbus, Ga.

An online shopping service called “Instacart” will provide same-day delivery service to 77,000 Columbus households, and will also be providing 100 new jobs. Instacart delivers orders from stores such as Publix, CVS and Petco.

 

Tech firm hires in Alpharetta

The American arm of a large, global Indian tech firm is adding more than 100 positions in Alpharetta. Tech Mahindra has 115,850 employees and a $4.5 billion-a-year business in the United States. This hiring initiative is in response to a new contract for a major U.S. company.

 

KENTUCKY

Chemical manufacturer to locate large operation in Kentucky - WhiteRock Pigments will locate a $179 million operation in Hancock County, Ky. The big deal will create 124 full-time jobs.

Vodka maker Stoli Group breaks ground on new bourbon distillery

In the fall quarter, Vodka maker Stoli Group broke ground on a $150 million bourbon distillery in Nelson County, Ky. The distillery is being built on a 420-acre site and will include a freshwater lake, gourmet restaurant, convention center and a renovated train station. The main product will be a small batch bourbon called Kentucky Owl. The deal will create nearly 60 jobs.

 

Senture’s new call centers bring hundreds of jobs to Kentucky

Senture opened two plants in eastern Kentucky in October. The company expects to house 150 people at its Annville facility in Jackson County, and 700 people at its Williamsburg facility in Whitley County.

 

Logan Aluminum expands in Logan County

Logan Aluminum and its parent companies recently opened the aluminum plant’s Phase I expansion in Logan County, as well as breaking ground on Phase II of the project. The expansions represent $407 million in new investment, which is creating about 250 full-time jobs at the sprawling mill in southwest Kentucky.

 

Research company opens Kentucky HQ

Kentucky officials have welcomed a clinical research company that moved its headquarters to northern Kentucky in a $36.4 million project, creating up to 500 jobs. CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services relocated its headquarters from Blue Ash, Ohio to Covington, Ky. CTI specializes in clinical research, working with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to plan, manage and analyze clinical trials.

 

Smart Wood cuts ribbon on $15 million facility

Smart Wood, a French family-owned manufacturer of ice-cream and coffee-stir sticks, opened the company’s facility in Corbin, Ky. — a 90-job, $15 million operation.

 

LOUISIANA

New Orleans’ Michoud Assembly Facility adding a tenant - A new tenant is moving in and another expanding its footprint at Michoud Assembly Facility, changes that will together add 45 new jobs at the New Orleans East manufacturing hub. Not so long ago, the fate of the facility hung in the balance as NASA ended the Space Shuttle program.

New Orleans captures the single largest jobs announcement in city’s history

Virginia-based DXC Technology, a company formed this year when CSC and the enterprise services division of Hewlett Packard Enterprise merged, will create 2,000 jobs with a new operation in the CBD of New Orleans. With 2,000 jobs, DXC will be the largest single jobs announcement in New Orleans’ history. The company provides “end-to-end” information technology services.

 

Dow Chemical dedicates $2 billion in Louisiana investments

Gov. John Bel Edwards highlighted the dedication of $2 billion in new chemical manufacturing investments by The Dow Chemical Company in Louisiana. Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, joined Dow officials for a ribbon-cutting event at Dow’s 3,300-acre Plaquemine site.

 

Intralox expands in Hammond

Intralox, the company that invented modular plastic conveyor belting, has completed a 60,000-square-foot expansion that will bring 40 new jobs to its Hammond facility.

 

Employment at Sasol’s Louisiana complex reaches 500; more hiring expected

Employment at Sasol’s petrochemical complex under construction in Westlake, La., reached 500 in October, and the company plans to hire at least 200 more over the next few years for a total of 700 full-time jobs. Combined with the 450-plus jobs at its existing facility, the new complex will bring Sasol’s employment in Southwest Louisiana to over 1,150 by 2019.

 

Manufactured homebuilder creating 200 jobs in Leesville

Champion Home Builders will open a facility in Leesville to build manufactured homes, a move that will create 200 new direct jobs in central Louisiana. Champion said it will spend $1.3 million renovating two buildings in a Leesville industrial park to manufacture the housing.

 

MISSISSIPPI

New jobs for Olive Branch toymaker thanks to Walmart - Walmart’s “Made in USA” program is driving growth at a toy factory in Olive Branch, Miss., that probably wouldn’t exist without the world’s largest retailer. Michigan-based American Plastic Toys has added 70 people to meet Walmart’s appetite for the affordable plastic toys.

Fortune 300 company locates in Southaven

Henry Schein Animal Health, the U.S. division of Fortune 300 company Henry Schein, is opening a new distribution center in Southaven. The $1.7 million project will create 27 jobs.

 

Tecumseh is consolidating Canadian operations to Mississippi

Tecumseh Products, a manufacturer of refrigeration and air conditioning products, is consolidating its Canada operations to Verona, Miss. The $1.1 million deal will create 60 new jobs.

 

Orbital ATK adding 50 jobs to Iuka operation

Aerospace and defense company Orbital ATK is adding 50 jobs as part of its $10.5 million expansion in Iuka. The news comes two weeks after defense giant Northrop announced it was buying Orbital ATK for $9.2 billion. As part of the expansion, the 320,000-square-foot Iuka facility will begin production of large aerospace structures for its Antares, Pegasus and Minotaur launch vehicles, and a large national aerospace and defense program.

 

MISSOURI

Nucor to build new plant

Charlotte-based Nucor, the most active steelmaker in the South, plans to build a $250 million rebar micro mill in Sedalia, Mo., located 90 miles east of Kansas City. The company considered other locations in Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina and Florida for the plant. The factory is expected to house 255 workers. Nucor also announced it is looking to build another micro mill somewhere in the Southeast.

 

Automated Technology Company opens Missouri facility

The Automated Technology Company, a startup that specializes in building automation, has opened its new location in Joplin. The company plans to create 130 new jobs as it runs its Boston and New York locations from Missouri.

 

Ajinomoto Windsor plans Joplin manufacturing center

Ajinomoto Windsor will support the expansion of its frozen foods business in North America by opening a new state-of-the-art coated appetizer manufacturing and R&D facility in Joplin. The project means 220 new jobs for the community.

 

Vital Farms brings jobs and eggs to the Ozarks

Adding to their list of locations, Vital Farms has found a new home in the heart of the Ozarks after opening its Egg Central Station in Springfield, Mo. The new factory, which will receive eggs from all over southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, is now up and running. “On day one, we started by creating 50 jobs here in Springfield, we’re now up over 60, and a year from now, we’ll be up over 100,” said Russell Diez-Canseco, President and COO of Vital Farms.

 

New company means new jobs for Joplin

Zaf Energy Systems has opened a new plant that will hire 20 workers by the end of this year, and will expand to more than 100 next year. The company manufactures nickel zinc batteries.

 

Marketing agency VML expands Kansas City operations

VML, a global marketing agency, will expand its operations and add a minimum of 120 new jobs to its current headcount of 600 in Kansas City.

 

Hundreds of new jobs coming to Joplin

A Joplin company announced the addition of 400 new jobs. Alorica will nearly double the number of jobs at its call center operation there, bringing the total to 820. Alorica is the largest provider of call center services in the country.

 

Call center to bring 200 jobs to Carthage, Mo.

A telemarketing company, iPacesetters, plans to open a new call center in Carthage. The new center could bring 150 to 200 full-time jobs to the southwest Missouri city.

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Germany-based healthcare company expanding in North Carolina

Fresenius Kabi is expanding its manufacturing facility in Wilson County. The company is a provider of drugs, medical devices and nutrition products. The $100 million project will create 445 jobs.

 

Medical diagnostic company to expand in Henderson

Raleigh-based Mako Medical Laboratories will invest $15.4 million to build a new lab and warehouse in Henderson. The deal will create 153 jobs.

 

Italian cable plant expanding in North Carolina

Italian energy and telecom cable manufacturer Prysmian Group will invest $54 million and add 50 jobs at its plant in Catawba County, N.C. The company makes optical fiber at the plant that houses 500 workers.

 

MetLife reveals plans for continued expansion in North Carolina

At a recent groundbreaking for MetLife’s third building at its Cary campus, the company revealed the number of promised new jobs there — 500. That’s in addition to the more than 1,000 employees the firm already houses at its Cary tech hub. MetLife also disclosed plans to invest $1 billion in technology.

 

Software company expands in Guilford County

Lake Mary, Fla.-based software firm Superion will expand with 80 new jobs in High Point and an investment of $3.46 million in its Triad operations.

 

Airgas to build $47 million North Carolina facility

Airgas USA, a distributor of specialty gases, will build a new air separation unit in Mebane, N.C. The project will create 35 jobs.

 

Swedish Höganäs opens headquarters in Cary, plans to hire 100

The Swedish research and manufacturing company Höganäs — the world’s largest producer of powdered metals — opened a new office in Cary in an expansion of its environmental sector. Cary will serve as the global headquarters for a division of Höganäs that aims to improve water purification and soil remediation techniques.

 

Pfizer lab will invest $100 million in Sanford, N.C.

The pharmaceutical company recently announced plans for a new gene therapy research lab in Sanford. The lab will bring 40 jobs to the location and the company plans to invest $100 million.

 

OKLAHOMA

Dish Network to expand in Tulsa, bring in 250 new jobs

The satellite TV provider, which employs around 600 people in Tulsa, plans to expand its customer care center there. Governor Mary Fallin said the company is working with the Cherokee Nation and the Tulsa Regional Chamber to educate the community about the 250 jobs the expansion will bring.

 

Manufacturer to invest $15 million in Broken Arrow, Okla.

Swedish manufacturing firm Alfa Laval broke ground on an expansion of its Broken Arrow plant. The company’s focus there is advanced welding technology for the oil and gas industry. Alfa Laval is expected to invest $15 million for the first phase of the expansion. One-hundred jobs are expected to be created.

 

Armacell expands West Virginia and Oklahoma plants

Armacell, the inventor of flexible foam for equipment insulation, will expand its capabilities in Spencer, W.Va. In addition, Armacell will expand production in its newly acquired plant in Yukon, Okla.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

Scout Boats adding hundreds of jobs in South Carolina - Scout Boats is expanding its headquarters in Summerville, S.C. The deal will create 370 new jobs.

WestRock investing hundreds of millions in Florence County

WestRock Company, a provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, announced in the fall it plans to invest $410 million in its linerboard mill in Florence County.

 

Arthrex announces new surgical device manufacturing facility in South Carolina

An orthopedic device manufacturer will create 1,000 jobs in Anderson County by 2025. Naples, Fla.-based Arthrex will invest $69 million to establish a new 200,000-square-foot production facility in Anderson County.

 

Manufacturer setting up shop in Richland County

Woodfield Systems USA, a designer and manufacturer of bulk liquid and gas handling equipment, will build a new facility in Richland County. The 39,000-square-foot facility will house 50 workers.

 

International manufacturer to set up shop in Horry County

Teknoware, a Finland-based lighting systems manufacturer, is investing nearly $6 million to set up an operation in Horry County. The project will create 45 jobs.

 

McCall Farms adding jobs in South Carolina

McCall Farms, a fixture in Florence County since the 1830s, is investing $35 million in existing operations. McCall produces Margaret Holmes, Glory Foods, Bruce’s Yams and other brands of canned food. The expansion will add 150 new jobs.

 

GE Appliances begins second shift in Camden

GE Appliances’ (formerly Haier American) manufacturing plant in Camden began second shift production in the fall quarter. After Haier’s acquisition of GE’s appliance division last year, Haier restructured its U.S. operations so that GE Appliances assumed responsibility for Haier’s refrigeration products at the Camden plant. The $31 million expansion has created 100 new jobs.

 

Bakery gets infusion of millions

Ace Bakery is expanding its baking facility in Cherokee County, S.C. The company is investing $31.9 million in the bakery and adding 40 jobs.

 

Boat manufacturer expands South Carolina operations

Sportsman Boats Manufacturing plans to invest $3.5 million and create 100 new jobs in Summerville, S.C. The 70,000-square-foot addition follows another recent investment — an 800-kilowatt solar power system mounted on the roof of its existing facility.

 

Tool company adding to South Carolina distribution center

Harbor Freight Tools is expanding its distribution center in Dillon County. The company is adding 1 million square feet of space and 500 new jobs.

 

Solamerica Energy launching operation in Edgefield County

Based in Atlanta, Ga., SolAmerica Energy, a provider of solar energy, is launching a new operation in Edgefield County. The project is expected to bring approximately $13 million of new capital investment.

 

Tech firm plans 300 new jobs for Myrtle Beach

Greenwood Hall is establishing operations in Horry County. The California-based educational tech firm is planning to hire more than 300 employees in South Carolina and make a capital investment of $1.4 million over the next five years.

 

Blue Eye Soft Corporation bringing 120 new jobs to Greer facility

Officials in Greer, S.C., recently welcomed Blue Eye Soft to the area. The U.S.-based information technology and staffing company focuses on providing IT solutions for its clients.

 

One-hundred new jobs for Dillon County

KB Biotech Solutions is set to open manufacturing operations in Dillon County that will create 100 jobs. KB Biotech Solutions is the largest producer of natural steroidal raw materials and intermediates in China.

 

Cleaning products company pledges 400 jobs at new Fort Mill HQ

Diversey, a cleaning products company that was spun off from Sealed Air, is moving its corporate headquarters from Charlotte, N.C., to York County, S.C. The relocation promises 400 jobs and $6.1 million in investment in Fort Mill.

 

TENNESSEE

LG breaks ground on $250 million plant in Tennessee - LG Electronics recently broke ground at the site of the South Korean appliance manufacturer’s first washing machine plant in the United States. The 1 million-square-foot facility in Clarksville is projected to cost $250 million and create 600 new jobs.

Big chicken deal in Tennessee

Arkansas-based Tyson Foods announced it will build a $300 million poultry processing, hatchery and feed mill in Humboldt, Tenn. The project will require the hiring of about 1,500 employees.

 

Shaw Industries investing in rural Tennessee

Shaw Industries Group is expanding its yarn facility in Decatur, Tenn. The company is investing $42 million and creating 75 jobs in the deal.

 

Cargill investing $146 million in Nashville plant

Cargill’s protein business is investing $146 million to expand its production facility in Nashville. The company will add 100 jobs to its dried sausage production facility.

 

Door maker expanding in Northwest Tennessee

Allegion Americas is expanding its Republic Doors & Frames plant in McKenzie, Tenn. The $4.5 million project will create 70 jobs.

 

M&M Industries expands in Chattanooga

M&M Industries, a packaging manufacturer, is spending $42 million on its Chattanooga facility and hiring 110 workers.

 

Tennessee glass manufacturer to expand

Techni-Glass, a custom glass manufacturer, will expand in Surgoinsville, investing $1.5 million and creating 54 new jobs in Hawkins County.

 

German company investing $64 million in White County

A fourth-generation German company is establishing its fourth U.S. manufacturing facility in White County. Hormann (pronounced “Herman”) will invest nearly $64 million to establish a garage-door manufacturing facility in Sparta, and plans to create approximately 200 new jobs there.

 

TEXAS

Stanley Black & Decker to open big plant in Texas - Stanley Black & Decker, the world’s largest tool and storage company, has signed a lease on nearly 300,000 square feet of space in Mission, Texas to make DeWalt power tool products. The project is expected to support 450 new jobs.

Hulu picks San Antonio

Streaming service provider Hulu has chosen San Antonio for its Viewer Experience Operations Headquarters. More than 500 jobs will be created in the deal.

 

South Korean manufacturer to invest $100 million in DFW expansion, 1,600 jobs

A South Korean company is making a $100 million investment to expand its operations in Garland, Texas. Nutribiotech USA, a nutritional supplement maker, will renovate part of the old Raytheon campus to expand its research and development and production facilities. The deal will create 1,600 jobs.

 

Mission Foods builds major plant in Dallas

Mission Foods, a subsidiary of Gruma Corporation, has established a new production plant in Dallas that will house 1,000 workers. The plant has a capacity to produce 30 million tortillas a day.

 

IKEA to set up distribution center near Houston

Sweden-based retailer IKEA announced the operation of a distribution center in Baytown, Texas. The project will create 200 jobs.

 

Ernst & Young to create 600 jobs in San Antonio

The global accounting giant Ernst & Young plans to build a new client services center in San Antonio that will create 600 new jobs. The company’s $10 million investment is in exchange for incentives from the city, county and state worth up to $3.4 million.

 

Louis Vuitton bringing 500 jobs to Keene, Texas - The multi-billion dollar French company, part of the Paris-based LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE conglomerate, is on its way to Texas. They’ve gotten the green light for a $20 million project with a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Keene. Referred to as “Project Mustang” in early proposals, the project promises 100 to 500 jobs.

Facebook to expand in Austin

Facebook is poised to massively expand its presence in downtown Austin. About 700 employees already work in the city, and the social media behemoth plans to lease additional space that could handle more than 1,000 additional employees.

 

FedEx announces Texas facility

FedEx is expanding its footprint and has announced plans to build a new freight facility in Conroe, Texas. FedEx will purchase 45.5 acres in the Conroe Park North Industrial Park to build its 78,000-square-foot distribution center, at a cost of $18 million. Once completed, the facility will create 96 jobs in the area.

 

El Paso uniform company to hire 500

ReadyOne Industries of El Paso is set to fill 500 positions after being awarded more than $1 million in new contracts for the production of military uniforms for the U.S. government.

 

Indian manufacturer to expand San Antonio operations

India-based manufacturer Indo-MIM has opened its first U.S. plant at Port San Antonio with 52 workers and plans to expand to 330 employees. First announced in 2015, the metal-injection-molding plant held formal opening ceremonies in September. Indo-MIM has invested $22 million at the 100,000-square-foot factory.

 

Ericsson launches design center in Texas

Networking giant Ericsson has opened a new design site in the United States, which will be used to develop and test microelectronics for 5G radio base stations. The Ericsson Austin Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Design Center in Texas will provide jobs for around 80 designers.

 

VIRGINIA

Furnace Record Pressing plans vinyl record plant in Fairfax, Va. - Furnace Record Pressing will open a new 50,000-square-foot vinyl record pressing plant in Fairfax. According to company officials, the new plant will fill a desperate industry need for more vinyl record production capacity while creating 40-plus new jobs in Northern Virginia.

SAP adding jobs in Northern Virginia

SAP National Security Services, a provider of security and infrastructure solutions, is expanding its operations in Fairfax County. The company will invest $6 million and add 95 jobs.

 

Research organization relocates to Northern Virginia

American Institutes for Research, one of the world’s largest behavioral and social science research and evaluation organizations, will invest over $12 million to relocate its major operations from Washington, D.C., to Arlington County, Va. The deal will create 320 jobs.

 

AEP adding jobs in Roanoke

American Electric Power will add workers at its operations in downtown Roanoke. The company will hire 102 workers engaged in support of the transmission grid in Virginia.

 

Humm Kombucha brewing in Roanoke, Va.

Humm Kombucha, an Oregon-based producer of kombucha, a carbonated tea, will invest $10 million to establish a brewing operation in Roanoke. The project will create approximately 50 new jobs.

 

DanoneWave invests $60 million in Virginia beverage facility

Six months after Danone completed the acquisition of organic producer WhiteWave, the newly combined DanoneWave is expanding its plant-based beverage manufacturing operations with up to $60 million in investment in its Rockingham County facility. Forty-nine new hires will be added to the current staff of 500 to produce brands including Activia, Dannon, Horizon Organic and others.

 

Altec Industries investing $30.2 million in Botetourt County

Altec Industries will invest $30.2 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Botetourt County, which will create 180 new jobs. Altec is a provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs and contractor markets.

 

Loudoun County lands $1 billion data campus

California-based Vantage Data Centers has acquired 42 acres in Ashburn, Va., which is known as “Data Center Alley,” and plans to invest $1 billion in a data center campus.

 

DP Facilities South invests $65 million in Wise County

DP Facilities South will invest $65 million to construct a Mission Critical Tier III Data Center operation in Wise County that will create 40 jobs.

 

WEST VIRGINIA

Oilfield company bringing 160 jobs to West Virginia

Fountain Quail Energy Services is bringing more than 160 jobs to Lewis County as part of a new field office the oilfield services company is opening in the Jane Lew Industrial Park.

 

Armacell to add jobs in West Virginia

Armacell, a leader in engineered foams, is expanding its plant in Spencer. The project will create 24 jobs.

 

West Virginia Great Barrel Company starts up in Greenbrier County

A new company will harvest white oak and turn it into whiskey barrels at its barrel manufacturing plant (known as a cooperage) on a 23-acre site in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The company will employ 113 workers at its cooperage, and 25 more at its stave mill and log yard in Monroe County.

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