March 2026

National

 

U.S. manufacturing is in a jobs retreat

U.S. manufacturers shed workers in each of the eight months after President Trump unveiled “Liberation Day” on April 2, 2025. More than 200,000 manufacturing jobs have been eliminated since 2023, and 85,000 in 2025, after more than a decade of rising counts. President Trump said his tariffs would usher in a “golden age” for manufacturing in the U.S., but that has not happened as of yet, even though our data showed project activity increased in February in the sector. 

 

Fewer Americans now work in manufacturing than at any point since the pandemic ended in 2021. For example, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis have taken multi-billion-dollar losses since tariffs were first disclosed in early 2025. The Supreme Court struck down those tariffs in February, however, Trump maintains they will continue.

 

Regional

 

Spotted: Chinese automaker sniffing around the Southern Auto Corridor for a site

By Michael C. Randle

 

SB&D has confirmed a Southern site search by a Chinese automaker just after the first of the year, which SB&D is keeping confidential until more information is gathered.

 

With the right economic environment, Chinese autos and automakers could be in the U.S. sooner than you think.

• China automakers make more vehicles than any country on Earth.

• China more than doubled U.S. light vehicle production in 2025.

• In 2025, China produced one-third of all cars worldwide.

• China eclipsed Japan as the world’s largest exporter of vehicles in 2023.

• Chinese automakers would rather build plants in the U.S. than rely solely on exports to North America. 

• In fact, multiple Chinese automakers are actually preparing for the day they can build assembly plants in the U.S. 

• China is particularly competitive when it comes to electric vehicles.

• A Chinese automaker locating here would be a boon to the Southern Automotive Corridor, as it has essentially taken down Detroit in three-and-one-half decades.

• The formal entry into the U.S. would bring more choice and capacity, which means lower prices. That has been the case in Europe since Chinese automakers entered that market.

“The ambition is there,” said Lei Xing, former chief editor of China Automotive Review magazine. We predict it is just a matter of time before as many as three new full assembly Chinese plants are built, not in the U.S., but in the Southern Auto Corridor. 

 

But, in the true President Trump playbook, don’t be surprised if this administration goes all-out in recruiting Chinese automakers during the last two years of its governing time. In fact, in February, Trump said to the Economic Club of Detroit, “If they want to come in and build the plant and hire you and hire your friends and neighbors, that’s great. I love that.” 

 

Yes, it’s true that several Chinese automakers and companies with significant Chinese ownership are manufacturing or assembling vehicles for the North American market, primarily through subsidiaries or partnerships, with manufacturing footholds already established in the U.S. and growing interest in Mexico. 

 

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is a major player, utilizing its Volvo factory in South Carolina, and actively considering using that site to build vehicles for its Zeekr and Lynk & Co. brands. 

 

Key Details on Chinese Manufacturing in North America according to several sources, including Automotive News and the Detroit News

·       Geely (Volvo/Polestar): In addition to South Carolina, Volvo (owned by Geely) imports the S90 and plans for other models. Polestar, another brand under the Geely umbrella, has significant manufacturing ties to China.

·       Joint Ventures (BUICK/LINCOLN): The Detroit News reported that the Buick Envision is produced via the SAIC-GM joint venture in China. Similarly, the Lincoln Nautilus is produced by a joint venture with Changan Automobile.

·       Future Expansion: Chinese automakers are heavily expanding in Mexico and exploring further U.S. production, with companies like BYD and others expected to make significant moves to establish local production to bypass tariffs. 

 

Key Factors Affecting Presence:

·       Tariffs: The 25 percent tariff on Chinese-made gas-powered vehicles, and 100 percent for electric vehicles, has significantly delayed direct imports, encouraging the establishment of, or partnerships for, U.S.-based manufacturing.

·       Market Entry: While direct, branded sales of Chinese brands (like BYD or NIO) are not yet widespread, they are expected within the next five to 10 years. 

 

SB&D believes that with the news that at least one Chinese automaker is walking sites in the Southern Automotive Corridor, it is not going to take five to 10 years for a plant to locate in the U.S. Our four decades of experience monitoring the industry tells us it will be within three years. 

 

Light Vehicle Production Units by Country

1. China                  34.78 million 
2. United States      15.24 million 
3. Japan                   7.99 million
4. Germany              4.15 million
5. South Korea          4.10 million
6. India                      3.98 million
7. Mexico                   3.95 million
8. Brazil                    2.64  million
9. Spain                      2.31 million
10. Thailand                  1.45 million

Source: International Organization of Motor Vehicles

 

When China fully enters the U.S. market, it will run into trouble similar to the Japanese entering the market in the 1970s. “Made in Japan” during that time was a reference to cheap, poor craftsmanship. That is no longer the case since Toyota placed their first plant in Kentucky in the 1980s.  

 

When the South Koreans entered the U.S. market with Hyundai’s first U.S. plant in Montgomery, Ala., it too faced questions of vehicle quality. That is no longer the case, as well. Xenophobia can only take you so far. 

 

The data is in: The American South is the best place to live and work

According to a February 2026 U.S. News & World Report study, the South once again shows its U.S. regional dominance: The South is the most active moving zone in the country, with 45 of the top 50 most-searched counties in the U.S. Eleven of those counties are in North Carolina, with Brunswick County (the fastest-growing county in the Tar Heel State) ranked No. 1. The state of North Carolina had 11 counties in the top 50 list. 

 

Siemens Energy investing $1 billion in U.S. operations

Siemens Energy is investing $1 billion to ramp-up manufacturing across locations in the United States and will also expand its workforce by more than 1,500. The company’s move is aimed at helping to meet growing electricity demands, requiring the accelerated deployment of modern, resilient grid infrastructure and a substantial increase in power generation capacity. The Germany-based energy giant’s expansion will add more than 1,500 jobs in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina and Texas.

 

The Siemens investment will include several brownfield expansions, increasing transformer production and servicing, plus strengthening the manufacturing of large gas turbines on American soil. It also includes construction of a new factory in Mississippi that will build essential grid components.

 

Ford lost over $8.2 billion with tariffs, EV investments and supplier issues in 2025

Unexpected tariffs cost Ford roughly $900 million in lost revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone. Ford took a major charge over the conversion of its multi-billion-dollar battery plant in Glendale, Ky., to energy battery storage, and a fire at a Novelis aluminum supplier plant disrupted the production of the critical F-150 Lightning electric pickup at its plant in Haywood County, Tenn., all contributing to Ford’s ending of its battery agreement with South Korea’s SK On.  

Update on the relocation of the U.S. Space Command from Colorado to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. 

 

·       Transition Leader: Maj. Gen. Terry Grisham, an Alabama native with nearly 40 years of service, will direct the program management office in Huntsville.

·       Location: The permanent home for U.S. Space Command is Redstone Arsenal, chosen for its ability to support long-term, mission-critical operations.

·       Progress: An initial office has been established in Huntsville, and the move is expected to take place over the next three years.

·       Economic Impact: The move is projected to bring 1,600 to 1,800 jobs, with thousands more "spinoff" jobs anticipated.

·       Incentives: The Command is offering significant retention and relocation bonuses to employees moving from Colorado.

·       Context: The decision follows a lengthy battle over the location, with the move now proceeding despite legal challenges from Colorado.

 

Montgomery Chamber of Commerce: Keep emphasis on Maxwell Air Force Base

From the Black Belt News Network 

Hyundai has had a huge impact on central Alabama, but Montgomery should continue to focus on Maxwell Air Force Base as well, a chamber of commerce official said.

“When we discuss the economic impact that Hyundai has on Montgomery, this region and this state, I think sometimes we forget the economic impact that Maxwell Air Force Base has on not just Montgomery, but the state of Alabama,” Caleb Goodwyn, chief economic development officer for the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, told the Montgomery County Commission in the winter quarter. “It’s imperative that we continue to focus on Maxwell,” Goodwyn said. “That’s why we’ve made it our priority at the chamber (MGCC) to focus on the redevelopment of Maxwell Boulevard, and we’ve been working with our local partners.”

 

Opelika, Ala., lands nice project

Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), a Wisconsin-based electrical and energy infrastructure firm, is investing over $79 million to transform a former JoAnn Stores distribution center in Opelika into an advanced manufacturing facility. The project will create 200 new jobs. 

 

Auto supplier DAS North America expands in Montgomery, Ala. 

The Montgomery Regional Chamber held a press conference at the end of February to present new economic data and to announce a “major” industry expansion. An automotive supplier, DAS North America, announced a $77.6 million expansion in Montgomery that will bring 100 new jobs to the city.

 

Birmingham, Ala.-based Altec investing in North Carolina

Altec Industries, the Birmingham-based maker of bucket trucks and cranes for a wide array of uses, is investing nearly $10 million in Mount Airy, N.C. The deal will create 100 jobs. 

The U.S. Army is partnering with Hanwha Defense USA to build a $1.3 billion munitions plant at the Pine Bluff Arsenal

The project aims to modernize the U.S. defense supply chain and enhance the safety and performance of munitions. The deal will create 200 jobs. 

 

Arkansas is the “new game in town” for data centers

Data center developers are finding Arkansas to be pro-business, with competitive land prices, laws and regulatory timelines. Recent major investments include a $6 billion project in Little Rock and a $4 billion Google facility in West Memphis, attracted by fast-tracked approvals and robust infrastructure. 

 

The state offers substantial, fast-tracked power from Entergy and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Advocate. Critics and local residents have raised concerns about the high water and electricity usage, potential noise pollution, environmental impact, and lack of transparency in deals, notes the Arkansas Advocate and Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

 

The construction of a new $145 million, 88-acre, 380,000-square-foot vehicle processing center at Jaxport’s Blount Island Terminal has been completed. The new facility allows for processing nearly 4,000 vehicles per week, representing a 6 percent increase over previous operations. The project represents the largest investment in the company's history. 

Revive Design and Renovation is the design firm creating approximately 70 new local jobs in the Orlando area, as announced in January 2026. The firm is expanding into the market with a 5,000-square-foot showroom and design center located in Winter Park, marking a significant investment in Central Florida's residential design sector.

 

A confirmed reshored deal in Tampa

Lithium Battery Company is reshoring a fully automated, 100 percent domestic lithium-ion battery plant to South Tampa near the MacDill Air Force Base. It will feature five fully automated robotic manufacturing lines that can customize batteries in any shape or size imaginable. The plant will initially house 150 workers. The company expects to grow to 2,500 jobs as production scales. 

Swisher secures unusual deal in JAX

As part of a $135 million manufacturing expansion in Jacksonville, Fla., Swisher has committed to hiring at least 60 residents from the surrounding Historic Eastside neighborhood for new positions. These 60 roles, part of 240 total new jobs, are reserved for individuals living within a 2-mile radius of the Springfield campus, aiming to provide local economic opportunities in neighborhoods like Oakland and Phoenix in Northeast Florida.

 

Mercedes-Benz opens $100 million coach division NA HQ in Jacksonville

Mercedes-Benz Tourriders will be delivered across the nation from Daimler Coaches North America's new headquarters in Jacksonville. The Mercedes-Benz subsidiary's new West Jacksonville facility represents a $100 million investment and marks the company's first physical presence in the United States, with executives planning to significantly expand their workforce in the coming weeks.

 

The 30,000-square-foot facility will include a manufacturing plant and surgeon training center and positions Florida as a hub for the company's expansion plans.

Palantir Technologies officially moved its headquarters from Denver to the Miami area (specifically Aventura) in February 2026, marking its second major move in six years. The A.I. data-analytics firm is temporarily operating out of an industrious co-working space while searching for a permanent location. The relocation, aimed at capitalizing on Florida's business-friendly, low-tax environment, makes Palantir one of the largest firms in the region's expanding tech sector.

Standard automotive parts supplier deals are back in vogue in the Southern Auto Corridor, kinda

After a 2025 calendar year that saw automotive-related deals drop by almost 70 percent from normal annual levels, the South is seeing an uptick in one of its greatest economic strengths -- automotive supplier projects. Dongwon Autopart Technology, a South Korean automotive supplier, announced a $30 million investment to build a new production facility in Emanuel County, Ga., located near Swainsboro. The project is expected to create 200 jobs over the coming years. The plant will produce automotive components such as door and seat frames. The site is about an hour's drive from Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicle plant near Savannah.

Nidec Aerospace opens hub in Atlanta 

Nidec Aerospace has opened a new 50-job engineering and customer support hub at 730 Peachtree Street Northeast in Atlanta to accelerate electric propulsion unit development, with plans for a second, dedicated laboratory facility in Norcross. The St. Louis-based firm (a joint venture with Embraer) aims to bring Nidec closer to key partners like Georgia Tech and support the certification of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company cites Atlanta's strong aerospace ecosystem and talent base as key reasons for the expansion

 

Industrial ball manufacturer plans $17 million facility in Georgia

 

 

Beyond the top three, BioTouch announced a $12.5 million, 480-job expansion, while NVH and Muscogee Mills committed to local growth, reinforcing the city's manufacturing base.

 

Questar Solutions expands HQ and Atlanta distribution center

Questar Solutions, a leading distributor of industrial and UN-certified performance packaging, announced two significant strategic expansions. The company is relocating its corporate headquarters and North Canton, Ohio-based warehouse to a larger, upgraded facility, and opening a new distribution center in Atlanta to enhance its service network across North America. No job numbers have been announced. 

 

A great career at Georgia’s Ports soon to end 

Griff Lynch is set to step down from his role as president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority. Kevin Price has been chosen as his successor. Lynch has been CEO for Georgia’s Ports in Savannah for 10 years. 

Toyota to build new electric SUV Highlander in Kentucky

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, Toyota will produce the all-electric 2027 Highlander three-row SUV at its Georgetown, Ky., plant, marking a major U.S.-based EV expansion. Backed by a $1.3 billion investment, production begins this fall, with the vehicle featuring a 300- to 320-mile range, available AWD, and seating for six to seven passengers. 

 

Louisville mayor announces economic development organizations’ merger

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg recently announced the boards of directors of the Louisville Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) and Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) have approved the transfer of their organizational assets into a new, combined organization: One Louisville. One Louisville will unify economic development, talent attraction, member services and advocacy under a single structure designed to strengthen competitiveness across the Louisville region.

 

Following several months of collaborative discussions between both boards, the broader business community and leaders across the region, the new entity will become effective on March 1, 2026. LEDA CEO Trevor Pawl has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of One Louisville. 

 

Green Energy Parks announces $142 million deal in Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted major growth in Kentucky’s energy sector as Green Energy Parks announced plans to locate a new $142 million agricultural waste-to-energy facility in Arlington that will create 20 high-wage positions. The project represents a record investment in Carlisle County and the first private-sector announcement in the county in more than a decade.

Amazon selects Louisiana for $12 billion data center campuses in major U.S. expansion

• The project is expected to create 540 on-site new jobs and support an additional 1,700 in the community overall.

• The investment establishes Amazon’s first data center campus in Louisiana, supporting cloud computing technologies to serve customers and continues Amazon’s commitment to Louisiana.

Akston creating jobs in Caddo Parish, La.  The $7 million project is expected to create 162 new job opportunities in the Northwest Region. The expansion will support production of USDA-regulated animal health therapies in Shreveport.

Firehawk Aerospace to establish new rocket engine plant in Lowndes County, Miss. 

Firehawk Aerospace is investing $16.5 million to establish a new rocket engine manufacturing and integration facility in Crawford, Lowndes County, Miss. The project, which includes a 636-acre site, will create 100 high-tech jobs focused on producing proprietary 3D-printed propellant rockets for defense. Operations are set to begin soon, supported by Mississippi’s MFLEX tax incentives.

 

 

According to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, The Tar Heel State is ranked No. 1 in the nation for tech occupation growth (2019-2024), driven by a strong, expanding tech industry and high demand for talent. While Charlotte and the Research Triangle remain central, tech growth is expanding into other regions, supported by a highly skilled workforce and, in some cases, remote work trends. The sector continues to show strong, long-term growth potential with a 17.7 percent increase in tech jobs over five years, per 2023 NC Tech data.

The company plans to invest up to $875 million over three phases in the historic project for Hertford County. US Forged Rings (USFR), a manufacturer of large steel components, announced the big deal at the end of February. Products include critical service fabrications, specialty tubulars and forgings, used in power generation such as reactors, heat exchangers and high-temperature steam handling; and industrial components such as rings, shafts and cylinders used in a variety of other industries, like the marine, mining, defense and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) markets.

Microsoft reveals use for 1,350-acre site in eastern North Carolina

Microsoft has confirmed plans to develop a massive data center campus on a 1,350-acre site in Person County, N.C. The center will support A.I. and cloud computing infrastructure. 

 

Life sciences are thriving in North Carolina’s Triad region

Long-time North Carolina economic developer, Bob Leak, Jr., left Winston-Salem Inc. to run Whitaker Park in downtown Winston-Salem. Whitaker, part of Winston-Salem’s Innovation Quarter using buildings from the old Reynolds Tobacco facilities, has helped propel the Triad’s region’s job counts in the life sciences to 9,500 jobs today, a huge success story. The Innovation Quarter has recently expanded by 2.7 million square feet as Japanese and Korean firms are adding regenerative medicine work. 

 

German manufacturer rides data center boom in Winston-Salem

German ventilation fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg is rapidly expanding its Winston-Salem operations, with plans to nearly double its workforce due to surging demand for data center cooling systems. Following its 2024 move to a 500,000-square-foot North American headquarters, the company is adding a third shift to meet high production demands. The deal will created 189 new jobs. 

 

Chatham County, N.C., unanimously approves 12-month moratorium on new data center construction

Lithuanian furniture maker has opened $70 million factory in North Carolina

Lithuanian furniture manufacturer SBA Home opened a $70 million factory in Mocksville. The company will add 50 employees in March when it launches a second shift. SBA Home received $1.9 million in state incentives and $800,000 in local support. 

QA1 Brands is establishing a new 81,120-square-foot manufacturing facility at Mooresville Business Park East. Trinity Capital Advisors is developing the facility, which will specialize in precision sheet metal work, CNC machining and advanced welding, particularly for products related to the recently acquired Speedtech Performance brand.

 

Companies are increasingly reversing hiring promises after implementing A.I.

North Carolina has terminated more than one company's incentives package in the latest sign that artificial intelligence is having an impact on the job market. According to BLS and other sources, 55,000 job cuts in the U.S. in 2025 were directly attributed to the implementation of artificial intelligence programs eliminating those positions. 

 

 

U.S. Aluminum Company’s goal is to build a plant near the smelter to turn liquid aluminum into products for the electrical, defense, aerospace, automotive and machinery industries. U.S. Aluminum Company was founded by the Plotkin family of Oklahoma City, owners of leading aluminum fabrication company M-D Building Products, which has been a national leader in the hardware industry stretching back more than a century.

 

Unmanned aircraft systems facility opens in Oklahoma City

MyDefence officially opened its U.S. counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) manufacturing and innovation facility in Oklahoma City on February 26, solidifying the company’s North American production footprint. By producing C-UAS technology on U.S. soil, MyDefence guarantees speed and access to the end user and a secure supply chain. Drone threats continue to evolve in complexity, range and frequency, driving increased demand for agile and scalable counter-UAS. By bringing advanced C-UAS production within the U.S., MyDefence contributes to a more secure and responsive defense manufacturing ecosystem. Domestic production reduces dependency on extended supply chains and supports compliance with U.S. procurement and security standards.

 

Mecad USA selects Oklahoma’s Port of Catoosa for U.S. headquarters, bringing nearly 300 jobs

In the winter quarter, Mecad USA announced that it has chosen the Tulsa Port of Catoosa for its U.S. operations, making a strategic investment that is projected to create nearly 300 new jobs in northeastern Oklahoma. The company will leverage recent state policy advances -- most notably Oklahoma’s 2025 behind-the-meter legislation -- to support flexible, onsite energy generation and modern manufacturing operations.

Scout Motors delays EV launch at South Carolina plant

Scout Motors is facing reports of delaying its electric vehicle (EV) launch from 2027 to 2028 due to technical challenges and software integration issues, according to German media. While some reports claim the delay is official, Scout maintains it is still on track for initial production and validation in 2026/2027. The impact on its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., which is currently in development, remains unclear, although the company continues its expansion. The Scout project is part of Germany’s Volkswagen. 

 

Approximately $9 million investment will create about 70 new jobs in Laurens County, S.C.

Coastal Precast Systems, a manufacturer of precast concrete components for bridge and marine infrastructure, announced it has selected Laurens County for its first South Carolina operation. The company’s approximately $9 million investment will create about 70 new jobs.

 

$63 million investment will create 13 new jobs in Laurens County, S.C.

Hydrite Chemical Co. (Hydrite), a chemical solutions manufacturer and distributor, announced it is expanding its operations in Laurens County. The company’s $63 million investment will create 13 new jobs. 

 

Approximately $40 million investment will create 50 new jobs in Sumter County, S.C.

Georg Utz, Inc., a plastic container manufacturer, announced it selected Sumter County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The approximately $40 million investment will create 50 new jobs. 

 

Over $82 million investment will create 90 highly skilled jobs in South Carolina

Cyclic Materials, a leader in recycling solutions for rare earth elements, announced it selected Chesterfield County, S.C., in the winter quarter to establish the company’s first East Coast operation. The over $82 million investment will create 90 highly skilled jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Cyclic Materials uses innovative technology to source rare earth elements from end-of-life products, providing an environmentally sustainable supply chain alternative.

UAW reaches agreement with Volkswagen Chattanooga plant

From the UAW report: Autoworkers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant have won a historic tentative agreement with the company. After making history as the first Southern autoworkers outside the Big Three to join the UAW, the 3,200 workers at Volkswagen Chattanooga have won a tentative contract deal that provides 20 percent across-the-board wage increases, affordable health care, real job security and more.

 

This agreement reflects significant improvements over the company’s last proposal in October, including:

·       New product commitments

·       Enhanced right-to-strike protections

·       Key newly won job security agreements, including protections against outsourcing

·       Thousands of additional dollars of annual compensation per worker

·       Key skilled trades issues addressed

·       Stronger safeguards against plant closures or the sale of operations

Documotion Research Inc. officials announced in the winter quarter the company is expanding its manufacturing operations in Maury County, Tenn.

Documotion Research will create 48 new jobs and invest $9.1 million in Columbia as the company expands by adding approximately 40,000 square feet of space for manufacturing and maintenance operations. Founded in Santa Ana, Calif., in 1998, Documotion Research expanded to Maury County in 2020. There, the company produces and distributes StickyPOS® linerless labels to over 50,000 locations a day. StickyPOS® is a liner-less label product for point-of-sale systems and restaurants that was first introduced in 2014 and has sold more than 50 billion labels worldwide.

 

Belgian manufacturer to create nearly 80 jobs and invest $50 million in Maury County, Tenn. 

Recticel Group officials announced recently that the company has selected Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., as the location for its first insulated panels manufacturing facility in the U.S. The company plans to create 78 new jobs and invest $49.6 million at the Cherry Glen Industrial Park, a Select Tennessee Certified Site. Once operational, the Tennessee plant will produce insulated panels for the company’s U.S. market, which will be marketed under the brand name Trimo North America. Belgian companies have created more than 840 jobs and invested nearly $245 million in Tennessee through foreign direct investment.

 

Manufacturer announces deal in Tennessee

Durable Products officials announced that the company is expanding by renovating one of its current facilities in Cumberland County. Through the project, Durable Products will create 134 jobs and invest $27.3 million in Crossville, Tenn. The company is a subsidiary of Texas-based GreenLiner, LLC, which will oversee the refurbishing and retrofitting of its current operations to accommodate new machinery, warehousing, inventory and offices.

From the U.S. Department of Energy: Energy department approves export expansion at Corpus Christi LNG

In late February, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright signed an export authorization for a 12 percent expansion in exports at Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi liquefied natural gas (LNG) Terminal.  The authorization allows additional exports of up to 0.47 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of U.S. natural gas as LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) countries from Trains 8 and 9 of the Corpus Christi Stage 3 Project, known as the Midscale Trains 8 & 9 Project. With the order, Corpus Christi LNG is now authorized to export a total of 4.45 Bcf/d, making it the second largest LNG export project in the U.S.

 

Secretary Wright announced the export expansion approval during a visit to the terminal. He also highlighted the United States’ leadership in LNG exports and the recent 10-year anniversary of the first cargo of U.S. LNG from the lower 48 states.

Federal Reserve Report: Texas employment growth in 2025 was “around zero”

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas projected in January that Texas employment growth in 2025 was "around zero" with a net gain of just 10,700 to 10,800 jobs, marking a significant slowdown from 2024's 1.6 percent growth. This flat, near-zero growth follows a decline in late 2025 and reflects a major shift in the state’s traditionally strong labor market, driven by factors like reduced immigration, weak oil prices and high-tech layoffs. The state lost approximately 23,000 jobs during the fall of 2025.

 

Governor Abbott announces MP Materials rare Earth magnet manufacturing expansion In Northlake, Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced in the winter quarter that MP Materials Corp. will expand its presence in Texas and establish a rare earth magnet manufacturing campus in Northlake that will create more than 1,500 new jobs and represents more than $1.25 billion in capital investment. 

 

A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $12,880,500 has been extended to MP Materials for the development of the campus’ corporate operations. In addition, a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant of $53,457,500 has been extended for the manufacturing facility on the campus that will scale the company’s capacity to produce neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are a critical component for semiconductor manufacturing. “Hardworking Texans will advance America’s semiconductor manufacturing independence,” said Gov. Abbott. 

 

Novartis to build new $280 million radioligand therapy site in Denton, Texas

Novartis, a leading global innovative medicines company, announced plans to establish a new 46,000-square-foot radioligand therapy (RLT, a precision cancer treatment) manufacturing site in Denton, Texas. The deal will create 150 jobs. This purpose-built RLT site will be the company’s fifth in the US and first manufacturing facility in Texas, and marks further progress in the company’s $23 billion US investment.

 

SpaceX adding more space to massive Bastrop, Texas facility

SpaceX is adding about 500,000 square feet to its 1.1 million-square-foot Starlink hub in Bastrop, located near Austin. The site is the key manufacturing hub for Starlink internet terminals. The site is also part of a larger complex that includes The Boring Company and X, formerly Twitter. To the west in Austin, is Elon Musk’s massive Tesla factory and multiple support facilities. About 400 new jobs are being created in the Starlink hub in Bastrop. 

 

Defense firm Allen Control Systems (ACS) is expanding in Austin

ACS is responding to strong demand for its “Bullfrog” A.I.-powered, autonomous counter-drone system. The expansion will support increased capacity and R&D designed to support U.S. and allied forces. Hundreds of employees are being actively recruited for the expansion. 

 

Company to occupy nearly 600,000 square feet across three buildings in Richardson

In the winter quarter, GEICO celebrated the opening of its second North Texas building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Richardson, while announcing a lease agreement for a third building and a new sponsorship with the Dallas Cowboys. As a result, GEICO is in the process of adding 2,500 jobs since it first began rapidly expanding its presence over the last year. Since December 2024, GEICO has announced 2,500 new jobs in North Texas supporting GEICO's sales, service and claims operations.

 

Expand Energy, the company formed by the merger of Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston in 2026

The move aims to strengthen industry partnerships, improve access to global natural gas markets, and centralize executive leadership. While the corporate HQ shifts, Oklahoma City will remain a key operational center. This move follows a trend of major energy companies consolidating corporate leadership in Houston to leverage its status as a global energy hub. 

 

GlobalWafers has begun production in Sherman, Texas

GlobalWafers’ first U.S. plant is producing 12-inch wafers with a $3.5 billion investment total. It opened in May 2025. The second plant there is a $4 billion facility. The product will be used by Texas Instruments and Apple. 

 

Empty “see-throughs” in D/FW

Empty offices abound in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. For example, the popular Park at Legacy in Plano has more than 1 million square feet of empty space available. Legacy is one of the largest office campuses in D/FW. So, of the 1.85 million square feet total of rentable space, 1 million is vacant at the Plano site. In addition, some of largest office buildings in Dallas are partially or mostly empty, according to the Dallas Business Journal. 

 

More evidence that data centers are the No. 1 “Southern economic development game”

Dallas officials are discussing data center regulations amid grid and water use, as well as environmental concerns. Several sources have claimed that Texas will overtake Virginia as the data center of the world by 2030. The Dallas Environmental Commission is discussing the environmental impacts of data centers and has outlined next steps to move forward with policy recommendations. Amazingly, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality faces a backlog of 1,400 data center cases that could take more than 30 years to resolve at its current pace; not anywhere close to sustainable. 

 

Apple to bring Mac mini production to Houston for the first time

Apple’s commitment to the Houston area is going through some significant expansions. Here is what Apple is bringing to Houston this year: 

• Mac mini production: Apple is establishing a new factory at its Houston manufacturing site to produce the Mac mini, marking the first time this device will be manufactured in the United States.

• Expanded A.I. server manufacturing: Building on the advanced A.I. servers it began producing in Houston in 2025, Apple is increasing its local production capacity for these servers to support Apple Intelligence.

• Doubled campus footprint: The expansion, which includes a new factory building, will effectively double the size of Apple's existing manufacturing campus in northwest Harris County.

• Job creation: These initiatives are expected to create thousands of additional high-tech manufacturing jobs in the region. 

• Total investment: In 2026, investments by Apple will total about $600 billion in the U.S. going forward. 

 

Economic development officials in the South have been waiting for the start of Samsung’s new chip plant near Austin in Taylor, Texas, for some time now. Samsung has confirmed its massive semiconductor factory in Taylor is on track to become fully operational by the end of 2026, with hundreds of employees already working on-site since November 2025. The 1,200-acre site is transitioning staff from the Austin campus, aiming for 1,500 permanent employees as construction enters its final phase. 

 

The facility is slated to begin producing chips by the end of 2026. The project is one of the largest foreign investments in U.S. history, with plans to employ 1,500 people initially, scaling up to 10,000 plus total jobs in the region, according to various sources, including the Austin Business Journal.

 

CesiumAstro plans $500 million investment in Bee Cave, Texas

 

HVAC manufacturer creating 100 jobs in Dallas

Miami-based Filter King, a maker of filters, is creating 100 jobs at a new distribution center near Dallas Love Field Airport. 

Proposed shipbuilding project could be valued at $3.2 billion in South Texas

Saronic, a maker of autonomous surface ships, is checking out a site near Brownsville that is close by to SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The company makes the vehicles to support maritime missions for the U.S. military. If completed, it will be called Port Alpha. 

 

A rare automotive supplier deal near San Antonio

Sanko Texas, a Japanese plastics manufacturer, is investing $40 million in a new plant in the South Side of Bexar County. Sanko will be a supplier to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, a nearby facility. The project will create 300 new jobs. After the implosion of the EV industry where investments totaled over $200 billion in the Southern Automotive Corridor from 2021 to 2024, standard combustible engine parts (and EV parts) suppliers mainly stayed on the sidelines in 2025. 

 

U.K. chip designer with more than 1,000 employees is expanding in Austin

Arm Inc. is expanding its Austin, Texas, campus -- its largest U.S. site -- with a new semiconductor lab focused on failure analysis, backed by a $4.16 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant from the Office of the Texas Governor. The $71 million investment aims to create over 320 jobs, enhancing advanced processor design for mobile, cloud and data center applications. 

 

Gov. Greg Abbott is putting in Texas funds to back a massive shipbuilding investment along the Texas Gulf Coast, which plans to add over 2,400 jobs to the region. Canadian shipbuilder Davie Defense has secured a $21.8 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant to establish an "American Icebreaker Factory" in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas. This $730 million-plus investment will build Arctic security cutters, and leverage expertise from their Finnish subsidiary, Helsinki Shipyard. The project, sometimes referred to as a $1 billion investment in broader reports, is expected to significantly enhance the U.S. defense industrial base. 

 

Applied Optoelectronics growing fast in Sugar Land, Texas

Applied Optoelectronics held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 10, 2026, for a new 210,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sugar Land, doubling its planned investment to $300 million. The expansion aims to boost production of A.I.-focused optical transceivers, creating 500 new local jobs. 

 

CenterPoint Energy deal supports over 200 new manufacturing jobs in Humble, Texas

The local manufacturer's headcount will grow by 50 percent to meet demand from the electricity distribution company's infrastructure upgrades.

 

Public Storage reported $4.8 billion in revenue in 2025 and 5,770 employees as of December 31. Public Storage has operated out of California since its founding more than 50 years ago, but the company just announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to North Texas. 

 

Select Water Solutions and LibertyStream Infrastructure Partners have partnered to build four commercial lithium extraction hubs in West Texas, starting with a 1,000-tonne-per-year plant in Howard County by December 2026. The project utilizes Select's existing water infrastructure to process oilfield brine for lithium, with subsequent facilities planned through 2027. 

Avio selects Pittsylvania County for $500 million-plus investment

Avio USA Inc. — a subsidiary of global aerospace company Avio S.p.A — will invest approximately $500 million to establish an 860,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt, Va. The new facility will produce solid rocket motors for defense, tactile propulsion, missile systems and the commercial space sectors. The Pittsylvania County facility will bring more than 1,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia through a major custom investment incentive partnership with the Commonwealth.

Manufacturer to invest over $10 million in Hampton Roads, Va. 

Wire arc additive manufacturing startup Radian Forge announced plans to invest $10.5 million to increase manufacturing operations in Portsmouth, creating 53 new jobs in the Commonwealth. Radian Forge specializes in the production of large-scale precision-grade maritime parts, primarily for the U.S. Navy.“Virginia continues to be a leader in investing in technologies that help keep our country safe,” said new Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. 

Solstice Advanced Materials plans to expand its ballistic fiber plant in Chesterfield County, Va. 

Solstice Advanced Materials is investing over $220 million to expand its ballistic fiber manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County. The project, set for completion by September 30, 2030, will create 100 new full-time jobs by 2029 to boost production of defense-critical materials. 

Satellite and radar company to hire 100 in NOVA

Umbra, an Arlington, Va.-based satellite and radar company, plans to hire 100 workers and grow into a new 20,000-square-foot office amid a $6.75 million expansion. The company offers high‑resolution radar satellite imagery and custom satellite mission services.

 

Defense tech firm GRVTY expanding in Northern Virginia

GRVTY, a Virginia-based defense technology company with nearly 1,000 employees, plans to invest $8 million to expand the firm’s presence by establishing a new headquarters in Tysons, Va. In addition to this space expansion, GRVTY plans to hire 200 highly skilled engineers, technologists, scientists and corporate staff in Virginia. With capabilities designed to address defense and intelligence priorities, GRVTY’s work centers on cyber, space and spectrum national security missions.