gold and silver SHOVEL AWARDS
By Crawford, Mark | |
Proquest LLC |
Winning economic development projects is hard work. Having the right combination of site selection factors isn't enough these days - with tough competition from other states and even other countries. Making a company's short list really depends on the location's marketing skills, truly understanding the needs of the prospect, and being able to quickly customize incentives packages to make a winning offer. Above all, successful states take the time to develop relationships - sometimes years in the making - with industries, companies, and location consultants. This also means following up with companies to see how they are doing, or if they have any specific needs or concerns - long after groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting.
Area Developments annual Gold and Silver Shovel Awards recognize individual states for their economic development prowess. In this issue we honor 20 states for their achievements in 2013 in garnering company investment and job creation. These states and communities understand economic development. Their governors and legislatures work tirelessly to improve infrastructure, reduce taxes, provide reasonable incentives, and - most of all - establish a cooperative business environment that creates sustainable, good-paying jobs for future generations.
15+ MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY
In 2013
The Texan economy is driven by energy production, especially in the highly productive,
Five of the top-10 development projects are billion-dollar Investments related to energy or chemical production. For example,
Other big announcements were made in the technology, customer service, and insurance sectors. For example,
Key industries in
Over half of
Another major financial project is
Over the 12-month period ending
Therefore, it is not surprising that several of the state's top-10 development projects in 2013 were IT-related. These include Global Foundries' research center in
Other key industries in
"Our location in
8+ to 15 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY
Building on a strong year in 2013,
The automotive industry is a key employer In the state. Almost one quarter of the
Georgia Is also well known for its IT sector. The state has one of the fastest-growing information-technology markets in the country, with nearly 200,000 workers. Recent announcements include digital media company Medient, which is developing a
"We expect to double our size by combining innovative mobile technology and exceptional talent with the state's economic development resources," states AirWatch Chairman
New Jersey Silver Shovel
The state's pharmaceutical industry has stabilized and is regaining economic steam. For example, Merck recently dedicated a new headquarters for its animal health division. Bayer has consolidated its operations from
With Its outstanding transportation infrastructure and proximity to the
"A critical factor in our decision to relocate to
Some of the strongest job growth in
More than 40 new manufacturing facilities were announced in
"These investments will reinforce our position as a global, low-cost manufacturer," says
Key industries in
Expansions in
With a gross domestic product of more than
Industries undertaking major locations or expansions include retail, agribusiness, life sciences, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and distribution.
With its top transportation infrastructure and central
"We are delighted to bring additional jobs to the
5+ to 8 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY
Top sectors are automotive, bioscience, information technology, energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and transportation and logistics. Last year was a good one for automotive in
Automotive suppliers also announced significant new investments, including
Other hot growth sectors include IT and aerospace. According to the
Key industries in
The hottest sector in
"
Transportation equipment manufacturing continues to create jobs across the state. North-central
Other important sectors in the
According to
Manufacturing continues to drive the
The transportation equipment manufacturing industry is especially strong in
In 2013 the leading export was transportation equipment (
The large number of automotive projects announced in 2013 reflects the huge contribution transportation equipment manufacturing makes to the state's economy. These projects include
Top projects in other sectors include
Manufacturing is
Other major industry announcements include
In 2013, the
Much of this impressive growth is driven by the energy sector. In fact, in 2013 Louisiana announced several big energy projects worth
Other sectors with strong projects in 2013 include chemicals (
"In 2014,
FEWER THAN 3 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY
One reason
IT and telecommunications platforms are also critical for customersupport, fulfillment, and backoffice operations, which continue to grow in
"A very positive experience with our operations hub in Sandy has encouraged us to consolidate more of our back office operations from other processing centers to
Manufacturing roots run deep in
Key industries are timber, paper, agriculture, food processing, and transportation equipment manufacturing. The state is also working hard to accelerate the growth of knowledge-based industries such as aerospace, biotechnology, smart-grid technologies, and software development.
Agriculture and food processing are key drivers of the state economy. Nearly 50,000 people are employed in the food manufacturing industry.
One of the biggest manufacturing projects in the history of the state is Big River Steel's plan to build a
The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor continues to expand - 40 percent of global animal health and veterinary science interests are located within the corridor. For example,
Of course, one of the state's "bread and butter" industries is agriculture and food processing. A rapidly growing food-processing segment is milk production. In 2013 Kansas posted the third-largest increase in total pounds of milk production in the country (trailing only
Another growing industry in
"We look for associates who are dedicated and customerservice oriented, with a desire to contribute to their communities," says
Automotive is one of the most important manufacturing industries in
"After an intensive site selection process, we are convinced locating our first overseas manufacturing facility in
Other high-tech industries in
Project of the Year
Global Foundries
Global Foundries, one of the fastest-growing semiconductor companies in the world, will build a
"The new center will help us bridge between the lab and the fab by taking research conducted with partners and further developing the technologies to make them ready for volume manufacturing," states
Project of the Year
Engineered Floors
Leading carpet manufacturer Engineered Floors, based in
"We are pleased that these new facilities will allow for further job creation for the area," comments
Methodology
Project of the Year
A leading provider of IT and technology solutions for hospitals and other healthcare providers,"Over the 30-plus years we've been here, there have been a lot of milestones for the company," says
"After leading the nation in technology job growth for two years running,
3+ to 5 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY
Project of the Year
The expansion is needed to keep up with increased orders for commercial airplanes. "With unprecedented demand for commercial airplanes, including a forecast of another 34,000 airplanes required over the next 20 years,
Project of the Year
. *
Over the 20-year life of the project, MSC will pay nearly
SPONSORS
Alabama
Alabama
800-248-0033 or 334-242-0400
Located in the
William P Murphy, Executive Vice President of Economic Development
P.O. Box 1200
706-327-1566 * Fax: 706-327-2137
bmurphyOthevaileypartnership.com
P.O. Box 1466
480-644-2398 * Fax: 480-644-3458
1-800-905-6577 * 501-377-6006
www.metrolittlerockalliance.com
Andrew Cames, Vice President of Economic Development
706-712-0958 * Fax: 706-226-8739
404-506-2216 * Fax: 404-506-1474
Located in the
William P Murphy, Executive Vice President of Economic Development
P.O. Box 1200
706-327-1566 * Fax: 706-327-2137
bmurphyOthevalleypartnership.com
Hoosier Energy
Hoosier Energy is an electric generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity and other services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives, in central/southern
Hoosier Energy
P.O. Box 908
812-876-0294 * Cell: 812-360-4796
Fax: 812-876-5030
812-378-7300 * Fax: 812-372-6756
Hoosier Energy
Hoosier Energy is an electric generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity and other services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives, in central/southern
Hoosier Energy
P.O. Box 908
812-876-0294 * Cell: 812-360-4796
Fax: 812-876-5030
Kansas
Already a terrific place for business,
Business Recruitment Manager
Kansas
1000
913-307-7379 * Cell: 913-375-5835
Fax: 913-307-7392
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Department for Business Development
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Old Capital Annex
Mandy. LambertOky.gov
859-228-1040
Mobile: 859-626-2426
Fax: 859-228-1043
The progress of
504-527-6900
Opportunity is abundant in
The
P.O.Box 1157
573-751-4962 * Fax: 573-526-7700
314-725-0949 * Fax: 314-725-0743
www.ad.missourlparternship.com
609-297-2200 * Fax: 609-297-2201
As
609-989-6555 * Fax: 609-695-4943
BusinessAdvocate4MercerCounty.org
Mohawk Valley EDGE
Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT is a 430-acre greenfield site in Upstate NY, pre-permitted for semiconductor manufacturing. Since 2000, over
Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT
315-338-0393
518-433-3691
Mobile: 518-423-5833
Located within 175 miles of
518-587-0945 * 1-800-587-0945
Electricities of
Electricities of
1-800-768-7697 ext. 6363
Mobile: 919-218-7027
Pennsylvania DCED
Small Business Champion Network
800-280-3801
2158
610-266-6775 * Fax: 610-266-7623 TO
www.lehighvalley.org 1SJF
Business is a sound investment in
615-532-1294 * Fax: 615-741-7306
www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com
210-226-1394
60
801-538-8879 * Fax: 801-538-8881
435-865-5115 * Mobile: 435-233-0055
Fax: 435-586-2949
www.cedarcrty.org/523/Office-of-Economk-Development
Information for this report was compiled by Area Developments Editor,
Copyright: | (c) 2014 Halcyon Business Publications, Inc. |
Wordcount: | 9228 |
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