Summer 2011

For real-time news on economic development, business and politics in the American South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For more information on economic development in the South go to www.SB-D.com and www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com for automotive news in the region. 

ALABAMA

Hackleburg's, Ala. Wrangler plant, destroyed in April tornadoes, to be rebuilt

A Wrangler plant destroyed when a powerful tornado struck the city of Hackleburg, Ala. will be rebuilt, the company announced this summer. The plant will be bigger, with a greater capacity that could add 50 additional jobs, according to a statement from Wrangler's parent company, VF Corp.

Steel Warehouse eyes $16 million, 60-job plant on ThyssenKrupp site

An Indiana company is considering opening a steel processing plant on the ThyssenKrupp AG property in Calvert, Ala., the potential first tenant in an industrial park of steel users that was part of ThyssenKrupp's vision for the complex. Steel Warehouse, based in South Bend, Ind., is considering a 60-job, $16 million facility that would process hot-rolled carbon steel from ThyssenKrupp Steel USA. A pickling line would remove corrosion from the steel, making it suitable for makers of heavy equipment.

Korean supplier adding hundreds of jobs in Auburn

Seung Chang Airtech announced in September it is expanding its plant in Auburn, Ala. The deal is expected to bring at least 200 new jobs to the facility. The supplier makes injection-molded plastic parts and vibration and noise-dampening materials for Kia and Hyundai, among other automakers. The expansion should bring employment at the plant to around 400. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Wise Metals moving HQ to Shoals region of Alabama

Wise Metals announced in July it is relocating its headquarters from Baltimore to the Shoals region in Northwest Alabama. The headquarters will be located on the same campus with its largest subsidiary, Wise Alloys. Wise Metals is the second largest producer of aluminum can stock for the beverage and food industries. About 1,000 workers are housed at the Wise Alloys plant in the Shoals.

Hyundai-Kia supplier to bring 150 jobs to rural Alabama

C and J Alabama, a supplier to Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai, is bringing 150 jobs to Alexander City, Ala. The company will locate in a former Russell Athletic Corp. plant.

Golden Boy Foods to open peanut butter plant in Alabama

Canada-based Golden Boy Foods announced in the summer it will open a new peanut butter plant in Troy, Ala. The deal will bring 130 jobs to Troy.

ARKANSAS

Nucor Steel planning $50 million expansion in Blytheville, Ark.

Nucor Steel Arkansas said it plans to spend close to $50 million expanding its Hickman plant in Blytheville, Ark., pending approval from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The steel manufacturer, with headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., hopes to receive ADEQ's approval to start the project by the end of the year, said Nucor's Controller Mark DiGirolamo. If the project is approved, construction would begin in 2012 and scheduled to be finished in the third quarter of 2012.

Florida manufacturer to open plant in Springdale

Dixie-Southern Arkansas is leasing a 50,000-square-foot facility in Springdale, Ark., that previously housed Shiloh Steel Fabricators. The Bradenton, Fla.-based company will operate a custom steel fabrication center at the location.

Mining company to spend $100M to expand Ark. plant, create 140 jobs

Saint-Gobain Corp., a bauxite mining company, announced this summer it plans to spend about $100 million to build a second manufacturing plant in Arkansas. The new plant is expected to add up to 140 additional jobs, company officials said.

FLORIDA

Everglades Inland Port back on front burner

In late July, the on-again, off-again endeavor that would bring a major intermodal center to the Glades region of Palm Beach County that would link to the Port of Palm Beach moved up to the front burner. The Port of Palm Beach and Florida Crystals Corp., the sugar company and a large land owner in the Glades, announced they have decided to collaborate on the project, which will be called the South Florida Intermodal Logistics Center. The project is slated to be built on 850 acres Florida Crystals owns off U.S. 27 in rural South Bay, Fla.

Palm Beach Co., Fla. turbine farm gets OK

Palm Beach County commissioners gave final approval to a series of development rules that could allow a wind farm to rise on thousands of acres of sugar land near Belle Glade. The commission voted 6-0 in favor of changes to the county's land development regulations that would allow wind turbines to rise throughout the county.

GEORGIA

Korea's Mando to open new parts plant in Georgia

South Korea-based and Kia parts supplier Mando Corp. announced in September it is investing $200 million to open a manufacturing operation in Meriwether County, Ga. The plant will supply electric steering gears and anti-lock brakes to OEMs such as Hyundai, Kia, GM and Chrysler. The deal will create 426 jobs.

Firth Rixson to add 100 jobs in Liberty County, Ga.

Firth Rixson Forgings, a subsidiary of U.K.-based Firth Rixson Limited, will expand its forged metal operation in Midway, Ga. as a result of increased business, Gov. Nathan Deal announced in the summer. The company said it anticipates creating 75 to 100 new jobs, which would bring its total to 304 employees when in full production mode.

Fulfillment center locating in Rock Spring, Ga.

A distribution/fulfillment center that is expected to house 40 workers is locating in Rock Spring, Ga. Findlay's Tall Timbers will operate the facility.

Big automotive industry deal goes down in Georgia

Toyo Tire North America's Bartow Co., Ga. facility is its first U.S. consumer tire production operation. The 900,000-square-foot plant has been in operation since 2006, and includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse. The company expanded by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people and then added 200 workers in 2010. In July, state, Bartow County and Toyo officials signed an agreement to increase Bartow County's bonding capacity an additional $910 million. The agreement enables Toyo to expand its current facility, adding 470 new jobs over the next few years. 

New auto industry tech park to be built in rural Georgia

The Americus Motorsports Complex will be built on a 450acre site in Americus, Ga. The auto industry complex will include a racing industry technology park, a drag strip and a 2.5-mile road course.

Suppliers hiring in Harris Co., Ga.

Two of Kia's top suppliers for its plant in West Point, Ga. are expanding in Harris County. Johnson Controls is adding 175 workers to its current workforce of 380 and Daehan Solution is adding 150 to its current workforce of 300.

500 new jobs for Brunswick, Ga.

GSI Commerce, which is part of the eBay online network, is opening a call center in Brunswick, Ga. The deal will create about 500 part-time and full-time jobs.

Chromalloy creating 125 jobs in Newnan, Ga.

Chromalloy, a turbine engine component repair company, is adding 125 jobs at its plant in Newnan, Ga. The 131,000-square-foot facility serves commercial aircraft engine operators and users of industrial gas turbine power systems.

WellStar Health System hiring 500 in Paulding Co., Ga.

WellStar Health System, one of Atlanta's largest medical providers, announced in July it will replace its Paulding County hospital with a new 112-bed, $125 million facility. The 226,000-square-foot hospital will be located in Hiram, Ga. and will create 300 new jobs. An adjoining medical office will house an additional 200 new jobs.

Tifton, Ga. to get 200 new jobs

A Spanish company is expected to create 200 new jobs in Tifton, Ga. after purchasing the former Tifton Extrusions plant. The company manufactures aluminum profiles for lifts, heat sinks, transportation and naval construction applications and a variety of other products.

KENTUCKY

Kentucky leads states in corporate relocations

Kentucky now leads the nation's 50 states as a premier corporate relocation destination, according to a comprehensive annual national study conducted by Atlas Van Lines. With an "inbound" rate of 63 percent, Kentucky is second only to the District of Columbia in terms of companies transferring or relocating new employees to the state. Thousands of human resources executives participated in what is known as the "Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns" study, which tracked nearly 75,000 moves in 2010.

Denyo reinvesting in Danville, Ky. plant

In September, Denyo Manufacturing announced it is reinvesting $6.9 million to modernize its industrial electric generator plant in Danville, Ky. The investment will retain 101 workers. 

Dynamic Fabrication expands in rural Kentucky

Dynamic Fabrication announced in July it is adding 22 new jobs at its steel fabrication facility in Beaver Dam, Ky. The company will invest about $1 million in the project.

Hitachi to add 100 jobs in Berea, Ky.

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas in Berea, Ky., which recently secured a contract to manufacture components for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle, will soon begin hiring for about 100 new manufacturing jobs. Depending on the success of the contract, that number could eventually increase to 500, Berea Mayor Steve Connelly said.

FP International to create 60 new machine manufacturing jobs in Hopkinsville, Ky.

FP International has announced plans to add machine build operations to its Christian County, Ky. facility. The project will result in 60 new machine manufacturing jobs over the next several years and a $3 million investment in the Commonwealth.

Cooper Standard expands in Kentucky
Cooper Standard is expanding its operations in Mt. Sterling, Ky. The automotive parts supplier is investing $3 million in its Mt. Sterling plant and will add 120 new jobs to the 310 it already has there.

LOUISIANA

La. Gov. Jindal announces Sasol might build $8 billion GTL complex

In September, La. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that South Africa-based Sasol has selected Calcasieu Parish, La. as the location for a potential gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex that could entail a capital investment of $8 to $10 billion. The facility would consume about 305 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per year. The complex would provide a new source of demand for the Haynesville Shale and other natural gas plays in Louisiana.

Louisiana FastStart named nation's best state workforce training program for second consecutive year

In the summer quarter, Louisiana FastStart was named the nation's best state workforce training program for the second straight year by Business Facilities magazine. Georgia (2), North Carolina (3), Florida (5), Alabama (7) and South Carolina (8) made the publication's top 10 training programs.

Redevelopment to bring 450 jobs to Madison Parish, La.

Redevelopment at the Madison Parish Port St. John in northeast Louisiana is expected to add 450 jobs in five years, according to Louisiana Economic Development. St. John Enterprises Inc. plans to invest $32 million in cranes, machinery and other upgrades at a 100,000-square-foot facility on 56 acres at the Tallulah port.

DG Foods opens plant in rural Louisiana

In August, DG Foods celebrated the opening of its $10 million plant that reclaims part of a dormant paper mill in Bastrop, La. The poultry company will house 317 workers at the facility. 

Cheniere Energy announces one of the largest single investments ever in the South

One of the largest capital investments in the history of economic development in the South and the largest in Louisiana was announced in July. Cheniere Energy CEO Charif Souki announced that the company will construct a $6.5 billion natural gas liquefaction facility at Cheniere's Sabine Pass terminal in Cameron Parish, La. The new facility will handle the shipment of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from the company's international LNG terminal.

Entergy Louisiana to build $721 million natural gas unit

Entergy Louisiana announced in the summer it will build a new 550-megawatt natural gas unit at its Ninemile Point plant in Westwago, La. The project is expected to create 600 construction jobs.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi legislators approve incentives for Calisolar's Columbus project

In September, Mississippi lawmakers approved more than $75 million in bonds for Calisolar, a California-based solar silicon manufacturer to build a 1-million-square-foot plant in Columbus, Miss. The plant will produce silicon metal to be used in the automotive, consumer electronics and solar panel industries. Over 900 jobs are expected to be created in the project.

Mississippi-built Toyotas coming soon

At deadline Toyota was producing Corolla models at its new Blue Springs, Miss. plant (TMMMS), but none of them are for sale yet. The Japanese automaker is assembling test vehicles at the plant in order to train line workers. The working assembly line is a long time coming for officials in Northeast Mississippi. Announced in 2007, Toyota planned to open the plant in 2009 or early 2010 to produce the Highlander SUV model. While the plant was being built, Toyota decided to build the Prius model at the facility. Through several delays, it was decided that the plant would assemble the popular Corolla compact model. The 2-million-square-foot facility is expected to house 1,500 workers by the end of the year when official production is expected to be in full swing. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Enersteel to take over Dynasteel plant in Natchez

Enerfab, an equipment manufacturer, is taking over the former Dynasteel plant in Natchez, Miss. The new venture will be known as Enersteel and it will retain much of Dynasteel's existing workforce and the company will add 75 new jobs. The Natchez facility will specialize in fabricated steel plate products.

Gov. Barbour announces second GE manufacturing facility in rural Ellisville, Miss.

In the summer, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and GE Aviation CEO David Joyce announced the company will locate a second manufacturing plant in Ellisville where it will produce advanced composite components for aircraft engines and systems. The company will build a 300,000-square-foot plant at Howard Technology Park. The deal represents a $56 million investment and will create 250 new jobs. 

BorgWarner expands in rural Mississippi

Michigan-based BorgWarner announced in late August it will expand its facility in Water Valley, Miss. The plant, which produces transmission controls, will add two new production lines and 120 jobs to the current workforce of 300.

Delphi to invest $15M in Mississippi plant, 200 jobs

Delphi Automotive says it's investing about $15 million to improve its manufacturing plant in Brookhaven, Miss. The investment by the international automotive supplier was announced by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who said more than 200 jobs will be retained there.

Toyota logistics company to hire 100 in Mississippi

Michigan-based KC Integrated Services is looking for a permanent location in Northeast Mississippi to serve the new Toyota plant in nearby Blue Springs. The company, which provides logistics support, has been a Tier 1 supplier to Toyota for 12 years. KC announced it will hire at least 100 workers.

Dennen Steel breaks ground on new plant in Iuka

Dennen Steel, a contract stamping manufacturer of steel products, broke ground on a new 50,000-square-foot plant at Yellow Creek Port in Iuka, Miss. in the summer. The $7.4 million project will create 50 new jobs.

Blue Mountain expands in Mississippi

Blue Mountain, a subsidiary of Oil-Dri, celebrated its $9 million expansion in Northeast Mississippi in July. The company added 41,000 square feet of space to its facility and added 20 workers.

NORTH CAROLINA

Enviva to create 62 jobs in Garysburg, N.C.

Enviva LP, a manufacturer of processed biomass fuel, will build a new wood pellet manufacturing facility in Northampton County, N.C. The $60 million project is expected to create 62 new jobs.

Spirit Aerosystems adding 200 jobs at its N.C. Global TransPark facility

Spirit AeroSystems, one of the largest commercial airplane parts suppliers in the world, is expanding at the North Carolina Global TransPark. The company, which produces fuselages for the Airbus A350 at the plant, is moving production of Gulfstream G250 wings from Tulsa, Okla. to its TransPark assembly facility. The new work will add 200 jobs at the Kinston, N.C. plant.

Solar module company opening plant in rural N.C.

Semprius, a Durham, N.C.-based solar module manufacturer, announced in July it is building a new plant in Vance Co., N.C. The company will invest $90 million in the project that is expected to create 256 new jobs.

S.C. candle maker expanding in N.C.

Charleston, S.C.-based MVP Group is planning to expand its Colonial Candles plant in Eklin, N.C. The $10.6 million project is expected to create 67 new jobs.

Defense company moving to Harnett Co., N.C.

American Defense Systems, a manufacturer of defense and security products, announced in the summer it is moving its headquarters from New York to rural Harnett Co., N.C. The company, whose stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange, is relocating from Long Island to Lillington, N.C. to cut costs. The company's products include bullet-resistant armor. Ten employees will relocate from New York to Harnett Co.

OKLAHOMA

Report shows Oklahoma's economy expanding at rapid pace

In an AP story published in the summer quarter, Oklahoma Treasurer Ken Miller announced that the state's economy continues to improve at an "accelerating pace," with gross tax receipts in June that were 15 percent higher than June of 2010. Tax receipts in June topped $1 billion and Miller said much of the increase can be attributed to Oklahoma's oil and gas industry.

Oil industry is huge in Oklahoma
A recently released study by Oklahoma City University showed that the oil and gas industry is far and away Oklahoma's largest industry. Nearly 300,000 jobs are tied to the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma and the sector injected about $51 billion into the state's economy in 2009. According to the study, about one out of every seven jobs in Oklahoma is directly or indirectly tied to the oil and gas industry and according to Oklahoma's treasurer the oil industry paid more than $100 million in taxes to the state in August of this year.

Oklahoma Governor promoting unmanned aerial industry

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was the only governor to attend the recently held Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International convention in Washington and she had a reason for going. Fallin believes Oklahoma is uniquely situated to recruit companies in the unmanned vehicle industry field. In an article published in the Tulsa World in September, Fallin said that Oklahoma has a "unique capacity other states don't have." Among Oklahoma's unique assets for unmanned vehicle design, testing and production include research already being done at Oklahoma State University, the 40,000-foot restricted air space for testing the vehicles at Fort Sill in Lawton and the 150,000 Oklahomans already working at aerospace facilities throughout the state. Fallin recently appointed Stephen McKeever of Oklahoma State to lead the state's Unmanned Aerial Systems Council.

Virginia company plans Oklahoma wind farm

Virginia-based APEX Energy announced plans to build a 300-megawatt wind farm in Canadian Co., Okla. in the summer quarter. The electricity generated by the wind farm is expected to supply power to as many as 120,000 Oklahoma households.

SOUTH CAROLINA

ZF Group expanding in Laurens County

In September, The automotive supplier ZF Group announced it is investing an additional $80 million in its Laurens Co., S.C. operation. The expansion is in addition to the $350 million, 900-job new manufacturing plant the company announced in 2010. The deal in rural Laurens County will mean 300 more workers will be housed at the transmission plant. 

Bridgestone announces major expansion in Aiken, S.C.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is expanding its plant in Aiken County, S.C. The $135 million investment in the facility will enable the company to produce an additional 4,750 passenger and light truck tires a day beginning in 2013. The deal will also add 266,000 square feet at the plant and create 122 new full-time jobs.

Innovative Composites announces new Orangeburg facility

In September, Toronto-based Innovative Composites International (ICI), a manufacturer of advanced materials, announced it will build a new facility in Orangeburg Co., S.C. The $9.3 million project, which will produce composite housing, is expected to create 300 new jobs.

5-Star USA announces global HQ in rural S.C.

5-STAR USA, a venture capital start-up investing in a manufacturing campus that will finance and manage vertically integrated businesses, is establishing its new global headquarters in Bennettsville, S.C. The company is based on a "Made in the USA" philosophy, providing capital and management to help build and sustain markets for businesses locating on the campus. The $25 million project may grow to over 1,000 jobs over the next five years.

Masonite expanding in rural S.C.

Masonite International, a manufacturer of doors, is investing $14 million in its Bamberg County operations. Masonite purchased the plant from Lifetime Doors last year. The deal will create 159 new jobs, tripling the plants current workforce.

BMW supplier plans expansion in Duncan, S.C.; will create 130 jobs

A BMW supplier revealed details about its plans for expansion into Spartanburg County, S.C. Fehrer Automotive North America LLC announced it will invest more than $14 million to establish a 100,000-square-foot production plant in Duncan and create 130 new jobs during the next five years. The company said the announcement is in response to growth during the past few years that caused it to outgrow its current 80,000-square-foot facility in Fountain Inn, which produces seat cushions for nearby BMW Manufacturing Co.

Georgia firearms company opening plant in S.C.

Daniel Defense, an Ellebel, Ga.-based firearms manufacturer, announced in the summer it will build a new plant in South Carolina rather than expand its Georgia facility. The new plant is expected to house about 100 workers.

TENNESSEE

GM to reopen Spring Hill, Tenn. plant

Since the bloodletting of the domestic automotive industry in 2009 and for years before it, the Southern Automotive Corridor has been shocked to its core with domestic automotive assembly plant closures. Just 10 years ago, the South was home to 20 U.S.-owned major assembly plants. That figure was reduced to 11 in 2010 with another closure pending; the GM plant in Shreveport, La., next year. But in September, GM announced it is reopening its Spring Hill, Tenn. plant that was formerly operated by Saturn. The facility boasts what is probably the largest stamping operation in the country. The reopening promises 600 new jobs next year and 1,110 more in 2014. GM closed the assembly line at Spring Hill in November 2009 and pink-slipped 2,000 workers at the plant in the wake of GM's bankruptcy. The plant is expected to be back online by summer of 2012 building one vehicle and another will follow. Plans are for GM to invest more than $400 million in the Tennessee facility. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com. 

Olin Chlor Alkali breaks ground on $160M facility in rural Tennessee

In the summer quarter, Olin Chlor Alkali broke ground on its state-of-the-art membrane cell manufacturing facility in Charleston, Tenn. The $160 million plant will produce chlorine, caustic soda, potassium hydroxide and other products.

Nissan expanding rural Tennessee engine plant

Nissan announced in the summer quarter that it is investing $67.9 million in its engine plant in Decherd, Tenn. The Japanese automaker, which is headquartered in nearby Nashville, will add electric motor production for its Leaf battery-electric cars that will be assembled in Smyrna, Tenn. Up to 150,000 motors will be produced annually at the Decherd facility for the all-electric Leaf model. About 90 jobs will be added at the plant in Decherd.

Occidental adding 85 jobs in small town Tennessee

Occidental Chemical announced in late July it will build a chemical plant adjacent to DuPont's Johnsonville, Tenn., titanium dioxide plant in rural Humphreys County. The project will create 85 new jobs and 300 construction jobs. For more information on rural development in the South, go to www.SmallTownSouth.com. 

Quaprotek to open West Tennessee plant, hire 120

Quaprotek USA plans to open a manufacturing plant in Lauderdale County, Tenn., that will employ 120 people within five years. The German company will invest $22 million in an existing, 63,000-square-foot facility in Ripley, where it will manufacture metal parts for vehicles, engines and power trains. Ripley is located about 50 miles northeast of Memphis. Most of Quaprotek's hiring will take place in the second half of 2012.

Japan-based Sekisui Plastics to open second facility in Maury County

Sekisui Plastics, a manufacturer of foamed plastics used primarily in automotive safety components, is locating a second facility in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. The Japanese company will invest $3 million and create 25 new jobs in the deal.

Tennessee lands 400 new jobs, $23M NYX plant

Michigan-based auto supplier NYX Inc. is planning a $23 million plant in Perry County, Tenn. that will create 400 jobs over five years, state officials announced. The plant, located in Linden, Tenn., will produce injection-molded plastics. The company will begin production in 2012.

Convergys adding 375 jobs in Clarksville, Tenn.
Call center operator Convergys announced in the summer it will add 375 jobs at its Clarksville, Tenn. facility. The company currently employs 685 in Clarksville.

Goodyear closes Union City, Tenn. plant

The only bad news coming out of the automotive industry in the South in the first six months of this year is the closure of Goodyear's massive tire plant in rural Union City, Tenn. The closure was supposed to occur at the end of the year, but the company stopped production in July. The plant housed about 1,800 workers in a town of 10,500 residents. The closure, according to Goodyear officials, will save the company $80 million per year.

TEXAS

Gov. Perry signs tax break for Texas aviation employers
In the summer, Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed legislation that reduces tax appraisals on aircraft production in Texas. The bill requires aircraft temporarily in the state for assembly to be appraised at 10 percent of their market value, reducing tax obligations for large aviation employers like Boeing. The governor signed the legislation during a ceremony at Boeing's San Antonio facility.

Scentsy opening distribution center in Coppell

Idaho-based home fragrance company Scentsy has planned for a 150,000-square-foot distribution center in Coppell, Tex. The project is expected to create 190 new jobs.

Durcon consolidating U.S. operations in Taylor, Tex. adding 65 new jobs

Durcon Inc., the Taylor, Tex.-based maker of work surfaces for laboratories, is moving all its U.S. operations to Taylor, which will result in an expansion of its Central Texas facilities and 65 new jobs. Durcon's consolidation involves closing a plant in Canton, Mich., the company said. The move will include an additional capital investment in Durcon's Central Texas facilities.

VIRGINIA

Virginia wins CNBC's Best States for Business

Virginia again topped CNBC's annual "Best States for Business" ranking that was released this summer. Texas placed second, North Carolina third and Georgia fourth.

Virginia again named top state for business

Pollina Corporate Real Estate has named Virginia the top state for business in its annual rankings. It marks the third straight year that the Commonwealth has held the top spot in the Pollina rankings. Virginia won the 2011 rankings by the largest margin in the history of the study.

100 new jobs for Botetourt County

TREAD Corp., a manufacturer of bulk handling equipment servicing the explosives industry, is investing $5 million to expand its operations in Botetourt County. The project will create 100 new jobs.

ABB expands in rural Virginia

ABB Inc., a transformer manufacturer, plans to invest $4.6 million to expand and retool its plant in Halifax Co., Va. The deal will secure the 140 jobs at the plant and add 15 jobs.

Gov. McDonnell announces MeadWestvaco to invest $285 million in Covington plant

In the summer quarter, Richmond-based MeadWestvaco Corp. announced that it will invest $285 million to construct a new biomass boiler and upgrade power infrastructure at its massive mill in rural Covington, Va. The project will allow the plant to become self-sufficient in energy production and significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs. The plant is the world's largest solid bleached sulfate mill.

WEST VIRGINIA

Lewisburg, W.Va. ranks as "Coolest Small Town in America"

Lewisburg, in Greenbrier Co., W.Va. took top honors in the 2011 list of the "Coolest Small Towns in America." The annual list published by Budget Travel, looks for towns with populations of less than 10,000 that have "everything -- great coffee, food with character and shop owners with purpose."

West Virginia ranks third in job creation according to Gallup

Gallup's Job Creation Index that came out in the summer shows that West Virginia ranks third in the nation in job creation during the first half of 2011. North Dakota topped the chart, followed by Washington, D.C. Gallup reported that energy producing states such as Oklahoma and West Virginia in the South have ranked in the 10-best job generating state markets for the past three years.

Dominion moving forward with $500M gas processing plant in Marshall Co., W.Va.

Dominion, the energy conglomerate, announced in the summer it is proceeding with the construction of a $500 million natural gas processing plant in Marshall County, W.Va. Contracts have been awarded for more than 90 percent of the project's first phase, which should be in service by December 2012. The project will create 50 jobs when completed next year.

Caiman Energy to invest $500M in Marshall County processing plant

Caiman Energy will invest $500 million to increase the capacity of its Fort Beeler cryogenic gas processing plant. The plant currently processes about 120 million cubic feet of gas per day. The expansion will increase total gas processing to 520 million cubic feet per day by next summer.

Chemical firm to invest $1.7M to expand

Momentive Performance Materials announced plans in the summer to invest $1.7 million to expand capacity at its Sistersville plant to produce amino silanes. Silanes are used to help materials bond to surfaces.

Mining project to create 250 jobs

Ground was broken in August at the Roaring Creek coal mine near Ellamore, W.Va. Roaring Creek Coal is a division of United Coal Co. The company is investing $150 million in the project that will create 250 new jobs.

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