Fall 2010 Small Town South News

For complete daily coverage of economic development news in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com.

ALABAMA

GE Aviation to Build Jet Engine Coatings Plant in Alabama

In the fall quarter, GE Aviation announced it will build a new 200,000-square-foot jet engine coatings plant in Auburn, Ala. The new facility will treat components for the GE/Rolls-Royce F136 jet engine for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 program. The deal will create 400 jobs.

Call Center Adding 350 in Wiregrass Region

Vantage Sourcing announced in the fall that it will expand and establish an additional call center facility in southwest Alabama, known as the wiregrass region. The deal will create 350 new jobs.

North American Lighting Adding 100 New Jobs in Alabama

North American Lighting is expanding its operations in Muscle Shoals and will add almost 100 new jobs. The company, which manufactures signal lamps for the automotive industry, is investing $10.2 million in machinery to expand its operation that has been operating in Northwest Alabama since 2006. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Toyota Supplier Amtex Setting up Shop in Walker County, Ala.

Amtex is investing $12.8 million to finish a speculative building at Bevill Industrial Park in Jasper, Ala. in order to provide carpeting and interior trim for the Toyota Corolla model that will be assembled in Blue Springs, Miss. next year. The project will create about 60 jobs initially.

Metal Casting Company Reopening

Cullman Casting, which closed two years ago, plans to reopen in Cullman, Ala. The company, which makes counterweights for forklifts and off-road vehicles, is a division of Indiana-based North Vernon Industries. The project, which should be operational by Christmas, will create 60 new jobs.

Plantation Patterns to Add 100 Jobs in Selma, Ala.

At total of 100 more jobs over three years will come to Selma as a result of Plantation Patterns Furniture's expansion. The company, owned by Home Casual LLC of Fitchburg, Wis., will invest about $1 million to add capacity at its facilities at Craig Field Industrial Park.

Vector Aerospace Adding Jobs in Rural Alabama

Vector Aerospace announced in October it is building a 42,000-square-foot expansion of its facility in Andalusia, Ala. The military helicopter maintenance company will add 100 jobs that will pay about $25 an hour. 

ARKANSAS

Tyson Plant Adding 250 Jobs in Hope, Ark.

New equipment worth $13 million is being installed at Tyson Food's plant in Hope, Ark. The plant, which houses about 880 workers, will add 250 jobs as a result of the expansion.

AREZ to Locate New Plant in Crossett, Ark.

AREZ LLC announced in November it will locate its U.S. headquarters and a new manufacturing facility in Crossett, Ark., that will produce rosin-based resins for the printing ink industry. AREZ will invest $6.8 million in the deal, where 121 jobs will be created. AREZ is a subsidiary of AREZ International of Ireland. The plant is the company's first location in North America.

Champion Expanding in Hope, Ark.

The Champion Parts plant in Hope has qualified for a $2 million state government loan guarantee, which will help the auto parts supplier to expand. The company remanufactures fuel system components and air conditioning compressors. The deal will result in 30 new hires.

Georgia-Pacific Investing $250 Million in Arkansas Mill

In late October, GP announced it is spending $250 million on upgrades at its paper mill in Crossett, Ark. The investment helps secure the 1,300 jobs currently at the plant.

Awesome Expands in Rural Arkansas

Detergent manufacturer Awesome Products announced in the fall it is investing $44 million and adding 240 employees as it expands its Arkansas operations. The California-based company will upgrade its West Memphis, Ark. plant and will build a new plant in Marked Tree, Ark. 

Ranger Boats Expands in Flippin, Ark.

Fishing Holdings, the parent company of Ranger Boats, announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Flippin, Ark. The company will invest $13 million and create 115 new jobs.

GEORGIA

Ohio-Based Plastics Company Announces Georgia Operation

Encore Plastics, an injection molder and thermoformer, will locate a distribution and manufacturing operation in Forsyth, Ga. The company, which will locate in an existing 60,000-square-foot building, will hire 100 in the project.

Great Dane Trailers Breaks Ground in Rural Ga.

Great Dane Trailers broke ground in Statesboro, Ga. on its new $33.5 million plant. The facility will manufacture refrigerated trailers and will house 400 workers.

Systemax to bring 400 Jobs to NE Georgia

In October, Systemax announced a complex in Jackson County, Ga., that will include an electronics distribution center, call center and retail warehouse. The company, which will create 400 jobs in the deal, is the parent company of electronics retailers Tiger Direct, Comp USA and circuitcity.com.

KENTUCKY

Tractor Supply Locating New Distribution Facility in Kentucky

In November, Tractor Supply Company announced it will build a new 840,000-square-foot distribution facility in Simpson County, Ky. The facility will serve the mid-eastern U.S. The company, which offers a variety of products for home improvement, agriculture, lawn and garden and pet care, is investing $53 million and creating 216 jobs in the deal.

Fischbach USA Investing over $8M in Kentucky

Fischbach USA, a supplier of plastic packaging to sealant and adhesive customers, announced in the fall it is investing $8.7 million in its Elizabethtown, Ky. plant. The project will result in increased facility capacity and efficiency and will help retain the company's 76 employees.

Packaging Company Adding Jobs in Kentucky

Integrated Pharmaceutical Packaging will create 100 new jobs with its $5.1 million investment in Glasgow, Ky. The company will occupy an existing 106,000-square-foot building where it will convert bulk medication into unit of use and unit dose-sized packaging. 

Bando USA Expanding in Bowling Green

Bando USA, a manufacturer of power transmission products, is expanding its operation in Bowling Green. The $7 million project will create 15 new jobs. The plant currently employs 134 Kentuckians. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Toyo Seat Growing in Small Town Kentucky

In November, Toyo Seat USA began the expansion of its plant in rural Flemingsburg, Ky. The $4.7 million project will create 33 new jobs.

Parts Supplier Martinrea makes Capital Investment in Kentucky

Martinrea Hopkinsville officials announced in November it is investing $13.7 million at its plant in Christian County, Ky. to update and revise several assembly lines. The expansion will not only increase efficiencies at the plant, it will ensure the jobs of the current employee base of 438.

German Supplier Completes Expansion in Rural Kentucky

In the fall quarter, German-owned parts supplier Bruss NA completed a 125,400-square-foot expansion of its facilities in Russell Springs, Ky. The company, which is headquartered in Russell Springs, is adding 100 new employees.

Stamper to Locate New Plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

Shiloh Industries announced in November it will locate a new plant in Bowling Green. The company will build an 81,000-square-foot facility that will provide stamping services for a variety of customers including those in the automotive industry. The nearly $10 million deal will create 60 new jobs.

LOUISIANA

$300 Million to be invested by Georgia-Pacific at Louisiana Mill

Georgia-Pacific announced in the fall quarter that it will invest $300 million to modernize its Port Hudson, La. mill. GP will introduce new proprietary tissue-papermaking technology at the mill, which houses about 1,000 workers.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Railcar Hiring 40 in Meridian

Mississippi Railcar is bringing 40 new jobs to Meridian, the company announced in November. Investment in the project will exceed $4 million.

Delta Furniture Expanding in Rural Mississippi

Delta Furniture, a manufacturer of upholstered living room furniture, is relocating from its current facility in Pontotoc, Miss. to an existing 220,000-square-foot facility there. The expansion will result in 50 new jobs.

Bluefire Starts Construction of $300M Ethanol Plant

California-based Bluefire Renewables has begun construction of its $300 million ethanol refinery plant in Fulton, Miss. The project will use green and wood waste for the plant that will produce 19 million gallons of ethanol a year.

Hol-Mac Expanding in Bay Springs, Miss.

Hol-Mac, a supplier of steel fabrications, cylinders and tanks, announced recently it is expanding its operations in Bay Springs. The $2.5 million project will add to the company's existing facility and will include the purchase of new machinery to increase production. The deal will result in 35 new jobs.

Peavey Electronics Adding Jobs in Meridian

Peavey Electronics, a well known manufacturer of musical equipment, gear and accessories, is expanding at its headquarters in Meridian, Miss. The company is adding a new line of guitars, which will result in 25 new jobs initially and as many as 100 down the road.

Madison House Locating Operations in Rural Mississippi

Madison House, a start-up upholstered furniture company, announced in the fall it is locating its manufacturing operations in rural Amory, Miss. The project will create 85 new jobs.

Navistar Wins $252M Contract, Adding 120 Workers in Mississippi

Navistar Defense announced recently that it received an order for 250 International MaxxPro(R) Recovery vehicles from the U.S. Marine Corps. The contract will increase Navistar's employment at its West Point, Miss. plant by 120 workers.

Pioneer Aerospace Adding 50 Jobs

Officials from Pioneer Aerospace, a manufacturer of parachutes, announced in the fall it is expanding in Columbia, Miss. The company, which employs 320 at its Columbia facility, is adding 50 new workers.

Sly Inc. Expanding in Webster County, Miss.

Sly Inc., a manufacturer of air pollution equipment used in industrial settings, is expanding operations at its facility in Mathiston, Miss., in Webster County. The deal will create 33 new jobs.

NORTH CAROLINA

Fountain Boats to Hire 411 in Rural N.C.

Boat manufacturer Fountain Powerboat Industries is expanding its existing facility in Beaufort County, N.C. The company will invest $5.1 million in the project, which is designed to create 411 jobs.

Facebook to Open $450 Million N.C. Data Center

In November, Facebook announced it will build a massive data center in western North Carolina, joining Google and Apple. Facebook's data center will store information for the company's more than 500 million users. The $450 million deal will create 45 new jobs.

Wipro Adds to North Carolina’s Data Center Deal List

Joining similar data center projects from Apple, Google and Facebook, Wipro announced in the fall quarter it will open a data center in western North Carolina. Wipro is owned by a Bangalore, India-based conglomerate that is known as the Microsoft of India. The $75 million data center will locate in the former Chris-Craft boat factory in Kings Mountain, N.C.

FAS Controls Expanding in Cleveland Co., N.C.

FAS Controls, a manufacturer of electromechanical components used primarily in diesel engines and heavy truck transmissions, announced in November it is expanding in Shelby, N.C. The company is investing $1.5 million and adding 52 employees. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Ernie Green Locating New Supplier Plant in N.C.

Automotive parts supplier Ernie Green Industries is investing $1.75 million for a new plant in rural Randolph County, N.C. The project will locate in the former Moll Industries facility in Seagrove, N.C. The deal will create 96 new jobs.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Tissue Company to Locate New Production Facility in Barnwell County, S.C.

South Carolina Tissue (SCT) announced in November it will locate its new production facility in Barnwell County. The $140 million investment is expected to generate 200 new jobs.

Treleoni Group Announces New Facility in Rural S.C.

Start up Treleoni Group, a manufacturer of non-woven products for industrial applications, is establishing its new facility in Clarendon County, S.C. The $7.7 million investment is expected to generate 100 new jobs.

Husqvarna Increasing Operations in Exurban S.C.

Husqvarna North America, a manufacturer of lawn mowers, chainsaws and other lawn equipment, announced in the fall it is investing $30 million in its Orangeburg County facilities. It also announced it will invest $105 million in the plant over the next 13 years. No employment figures were announced.

Thirty New Jobs in Rural S.C.

OldCastle Lawn and Garden is expanding its current production facility in Cherokee County, S.C. The deal will increase production of the company's bagged wood chip and mulch products and will result in 30 new jobs.

TENNESSEE

GE to Invest $32M in Selmer Facility

GE announced in the fall quarter it plans to invest $32 million in its Monogram Refrigeration Operation in Selmer, Tenn. The project will redesign the built-in refrigeration line and produce a new configuration for the high-end market.

NW Tennessee Port Project Awarded $13M Grant

The Northwest Tennessee Port Authority and industrial park located in Lake County received word in the fall they have been awarded $13 million for the completion of the Port of Cates Landing on the Mississippi River. When completed, the port is expected to bring 1,700 jobs to the region and retain 2,293 related jobs, according to an economic development study performed by the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University. The money comes from the competitive TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant, which the port authority applied for in August. These federal grants are authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, sometimes referred to as the "stimulus bill."

UGN to Expand Jackson, Tenn. Plant

Illinois-based UGN, a manufacturer of automotive parts that reduce road noise, is investing $11 million to expand its Jackson plant. The company, which has a contract with the new Toyota plant being finished in Blue Springs, Miss., is adding 40,000 square feet to its existing facility, which currently houses 250 workers. About 40 new jobs will be created in the deal. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Japanese Automotive Supplier Announces $30M Expansion in East Tennessee

Koyo Corp. USA is expanding its manufacturing facility in Washington County, Tenn. Koyo is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM, Daimler and BMW. The company is investing $30 million and adding 125 employees in the deal.

TEXAS

Latex Foam Expanding in Wichita Falls

Latex Foam International, a maker of bedding products, is expanding its operations in Wichita Falls, Tex. The $32.7 million project will create 190 new jobs.

Caterpillar Continues its Love Affair with Texas

Illinois-based Caterpillar announced it is adding another facility in Texas after recent deals in Victoria and Seguin. This one is a relocation of a plant in Mexico to Schertz, Tex., in Comal County that includes a new 260,000-square-foot facility. The project will support CAT's facility in Seguin, Tex., and will mean at least 60 new jobs.

WEST VIRGINIA

Contractor Moving to Putnam County, W.Va.

Bayliss & Ramey, an electrical contractor, is building a new facility at the Putnam County Business Park that will serve as its new home. The company will move about 300 current employees and add 12 others in the move.

First Project in New Industrial Park Creating 50 Jobs

The new industrial park being developed by the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport has landed its first tenant; a 20,000 hanger facility. The hanger will be used by Aurora Flight Sciences of West Virginia. The deal will create 50 jobs.

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