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gold and silver SHOVEL AWARDS [Area Development Site and Facility Planning](Area Development Site and Facility Planning Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) 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 Texas - Gold Shovel In 2013 Chief Executive magazine ranked Texas as the best state for doing business. "The rankings prove that smart policies result in increased investments, jobs, and greater overall economic activity," states Marshall Cooper, CEO of the magazine. Texas led the nation in job growth for the fourth straight year, adding 252,400 jobs. More than 10 major industries added jobs In 2013, including professional and business services, education and health services, energy, construction, mining, IT, and manufacturing. Manufacturing employment in Texas has grown by 7.2 percent since 2010. The Lone Star State also led the nation In the total value of shipped manufactured goods. The Texan economy is driven by energy production, especially in the highly productive, West Texas oil-shale deposits. Overall the energy sector contributes about $175 billion to the Texas economy. As a result, Texas is also the nation's leader in petroleum refining and chemical production. Five of the top-10 development projects are billion-dollar Investments related to energy or chemical production. For example, Golden Pass is spending $10 billion to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Port Arthur, and ExxonMobil is investing $2 billion in its ethylene operations in Baytown. Ascend Performance Materials plans to construct a $1.2 billion, propane dehydrogenation facility in Alvin, creating 100 jobs. And, thanks to hydraulic fracturing needs, Tenaris SA is constructing a $1.5 billion facility to manufacture seamless pipe for the oil and gas industry. The facility is expected to produce 600,000 tons a year of casing and drilling pipe. Other big announcements were made in the technology, customer service, and insurance sectors. For example, Flextronics recently opened Its new manufacturing facility in Fort Worth ($25 million, 2,500 workers) to provide final assembly and customization for Motorola Mobility's Moto X smartphone. In the field of customer care, Kohl's Corporation will open a $54.9 million, customer-service operations center in Dallas, which will require 1,500 workers. The state of Texas will contribute $864,000 to the project through the Texas Enterprise Fund. Florida - Silver Shovel Florida's economy is carrying on where it left off in 2013 - with some of the best job growth in the nation. The number of competitive jobs projects won by Florida during fiscal year 2013 jumped almost 25 percent over fiscal year 2012, creating 41 percent more private-sector jobs and nearly 30 percent more capital Investments. In April the Scott administration eliminated the manufacturing and equipment sales tax on manufacturing companies, which is expected to save manufacturers in the state more than $140 million annually. Key industries in Florida are aerospace and aviation, life sciences, manufacturing, IT, financial and professional services, and logistics and distribution. Sectors expected to have the strongest job growth over the next three years are construction (10 percent), professional and business services (4.3 percent), and trade, transportation, and utilities (4 percent). Over half of Florida's top-10 economic development projects are in financial and professional services. These include Bank of America ($13 million, 1,500 jobs), USAA ($163 million, 1,215 jobs), Comprehensive Health Management (nearly $2 million, 700 jobs), and Healthplan Holdings ($4.18 million, 1,025 jobs). In Lake Mary, Verizon recently opened a new $50 million, 220,000-square-foot finance center. Another major financial project is Navy Federal Credit Union's $200 million expansion in Pensacola, where it is building 342,000 square feet of office space at its existing campus, creating 1,500 new jobs. To date, the credit union has invested over $225 million in its Pensacola operations. "Our expansion is key to supporting Navy Federal's strong growth and we are proud to be part of the economic growth for the area," says Cutler Dawson, president and CEO at the credit union. New York - Silver Shovel Over the 12-month period ending March 2014, New York added 108,200 private-sector jobs, a 1.5 percent increase over the previous year. The TechAmerica Foundation indicates that New York ranked third in the country for high-tech employment in 2012 (behind only California and Texas). New York also placed near the top in more than half of the IT sectors the foundation tracks, including computer systems design. 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 Malta (see Project of the Year) and Advanced Nanotechnology Solutions in Marcy, which is creating 1,000 jobs. It will be housed at the $125 million, 253,000-square-foot Computer Chip Commercialization Center, better known as Quad-C at SUNYIT. With an annual operating budget of $500 million, the center will host public-private partnerships through the $1.5 billion Nano Utica initiative. Other key industries in New York are life sciences, advanced materials, data centers, logistics and distribution, and food processing. Projects in life sciences and pharmaceuticals include the expan- sion of the New York Genome Center ($135 million, 400 jobs) and Amneal Pharmaceuticals' $50 million expansion in Yaphank. Hoffman La Roche also recently opened its $5 million Translational and Clinical Research Center (TCRC) in New York City's Alexandria Center for Life Science. "Our location in New York City will enable us to combine our expertise with that of world-class researchers here in a vibrant scientific environment," sates Judith Dunn, head of the Roche TCRC. "We will be engaging collaborators in a transformative approach to drug development, which will provide solutions for unmet medical needs and ultimately improve the lives of patients and their families." 8+ to 15 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY Georgia - Gold Shovel Building on a strong year in 2013, Georgia's economy is expected to outperform the national economy in 2014. Thanks to a diverse economy that includes both traditional and knowledge-based industries, the state's inflation-adjusted GDP is projected to grow 3 percent next year, with a 1.8 percent increase in jobs. The automotive industry is a key employer In the state. Almost one quarter of the East Coast's automotive-related exports come from Georgia (valued at nearly $10 billion per year). Over the last few years, auto manufacturers have invested $5.2 billion in their operations within the state. Major manufacturers include General Motors, Honda, Kia, Porsche, and Toyota - all of which are supported by an expanding supplier network. For example, Inalfa Roof Systems, a provider of vehicle roofing systems, is building a $17.1 million manufacturing plant in Cherokee County, resulting in 300 new jobs. The facility will build components for major OEMs like Hyundai, Kia, Ford, General Motors, Volvo, Chrysler Group, and BMW Group. 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 $90 million movie and game production facility in Effingham County, creating at least 250 jobs. AirWatch, a leader in mobility technology and security, is expanding its headquarters in Atlanta, creating 800 jobs and investing more than $4 million in new equipment. The expansion Is scheduled for completion In 2015. "We expect to double our size by combining innovative mobile technology and exceptional talent with the state's economic development resources," states AirWatch Chairman Alan Dabbiere. "AirWatch and other software companies are playing a critical role in attracting new businesses to the region and solidifying Atlanta as a leading technology player." New Jersey Silver Shovel New Jersey is the home headquarters for nearly two dozen Fortune 500 companies, including both Fortune 100 and Global 500 organizations. The state has a reputation for leadership in key markets including financial, pharmaceutical, life sciences, IT, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics. New Jersey added about 58,000 jobs in 2013, a 1.5 percent growth rate, surpassing the 49,100 jobs the state added in 2012. Many of these new jobs are high-tech positions - according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Jersey was one of the top states for tech-job growth last year. 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 New Jersey and New York into a 650,000-square-foot space in Hanover - Its new East Coast headquarters. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is also planning a $37 million expansion of its operations In Flanders, Mount Olive Township, creating about 500 jobs. With Its outstanding transportation infrastructure and proximity to the East Coast and Midwest, New Jersey continues to attract logistics and distribution investment. For example, Amazon.com's new one-millionsquare-foot, $150-million distribution facility in Robbinsville will employ about 1,400 workers. Destination Maternity is also building a $50 million retail headquarters and distribution center in Moorestown, moving its operation from Philadelphia. "A critical factor in our decision to relocate to New Jersey was the approval we have obtained from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for an incentive package of $40 million in benefits, over a 10-year period," adds Ed Krell, CEO of Destination Maternity. North Carolina - Silver Shovel North Carolina has a highly diversified economy that includes traditional industries (for example, lumber, agriculture, and textiles) and knowledge-based industries such as aerospace, biotechnology, alternative energy, and information technology. North Carolina began this high-tech transition over 50 years ago with the establishment of Research Triangle Park in 1960. Today "RTP" is one of the premier high-tech research parks in the country and home to more than 170 global companies, including IBM, GSK, Syngenta, RTI International, and Cisco. Some of the strongest job growth in North Carolina is coming from its rapidly expanding professional and business services sector. For example, Red Ventures, a company that optimizes online marketing and data analytics for major companies, is expanding its operations in Mecklenburg County, creating over 600 new jobs. MetLife, a life insurance and employee benefits company, intends to create 2,600 jobs in Charlotte and Cary by the end of 2015 through its $125.5 million investment in its Mecklenburg County and Wake County campuses. "The strong sense of community in Cary and Charlotte, as well as the region's robust infrastructure and sustain- able talent pool, were all compelling reasons for coming here," says Eric Steigerwalt, executive vice president at MetLife. More than 40 new manufacturing facilities were announced in North Carolina during 2013. These include Electrolux Home Products ($85 million, 810 jobs), Wright Foods ($53 million, 505 jobs), and Sturm, Ruger & Company ($26 million, 476 jobs). In October 2013 Gildan Activewear indicated it would invest $250 million to expand its yarn-spinning manufacturing facilities in Bladen and Rowan counties and establish a new yam-spinning facility in Davie County, creating more than 500 jobs. "These investments will reinforce our position as a global, low-cost manufacturer," says Chuck Ward, president of Gildan Yarns. "North Carolina provides a qualified textile workforce, competitive energy rates, and a good transportation network, which are all central to our expansion projects." Ohio - Silver Shovel Ohio is getting off to a great start this year - for the month of January 2014, the state ranked second in the nation for job gains with 16,700 jobs (second only to Texas). According to a survey by Forbes, Columbus, Ohio, is also only one of six cities where the population of the core district has grown more than the surrounding suburbs - another good sign of economic recovery. Key industries in Ohio include professional and financial services, energy, aerospace, automotive, food processing, plastics, chemicals, and logistics and distribution. Major manufacturing announcements in 2013 included Vitamix Corporation's $1.3 million expansion in Strongsville (500 jobs). Festo Americas, which manufactures pneumatic and electromechanical systems and components for process and industrial automation, plans to build a $250 million, state-of-the-art product assembly and distribution center in Mason (250 jobs). The facility will have foreign-trade-zone status, making it easier to support customers throughout North America from a central U.S. location. Expansions in Ohio's important food-processing industry include Nestle USA ($2.5 million, 250 workers) and H.J. Heinz ($28 million, 250 workers). Daisy Brand also plans to build a $116 million production facility in Wooster, creating 89 jobs. This will be the third U.S. facility for the company, the nation's largest sour cream manufacturer, and serve the East Coast market. Ohio faced tough competition from other Midwest states for the project - key factors that drove the Daisy Brand decision to locate in Ohio included its high-quality supply of cream, abundant clean water, and pro-growth business climate. Pennsylvania - Silver Shovel With a gross domestic product of more than $600 billion, Pennsylvania has one of the largest economies in the country. It is also highly diverse, ranging from longstanding, traditional industries like agriculture, coal, and steel to innovative, knowledge-based markets, including life sciences, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. In addition, production of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale is stimulating growth in the oil-and-gas and chemical markets. Industries undertaking major locations or expansions include retail, agribusiness, life sciences, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and distribution. Urban Outfitters plans a $210 million expansion of its headquarters in Philadelphia and fulfillment center in Gap, Pa., creating a total of 2,500 new jobs. Church & Dwight Company, a vitamin manufacturer, plans to invest $55 million in its operations in York County. The new manufacturing line will expand production capacity by 75 percent and employ about 180 people. Strengthening Pennsylvania's ranking as the fourth-most-valuable food manufacturing industry in the country, Bell & Evans will develop a $39 million food processing plant in Fredericksburg employing 380 people. With its top transportation infrastructure and central East Coast location, Pennsylvania is also a preferred location for distribution facilities. In 2013 Wal-Mart Stores announced a $96 million distribution facility in Bethlehem (351 jobs) and Gordon Food Service revealed plans for a $78 million facility (166 workers) in Imperial. One of the biggest projects is American Eagle Outfitters' construction of a onemillion-square-foot, $160 million distribution facility in Luzerne County, creating 369 jobs. "We are delighted to bring additional jobs to the Pennsylvania community and look forward to working with the state to build this new facility," commented American Eagle Outfitters former CEO Robert Hanson at the facility's opening. The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $400,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant and a $166,050 Guaranteed Free Training grant for the new workforce. 5+ to 8 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY Missouri - Gold Shovel Missouri added almost 44,000 jobs in 2013, some of the best jobgrowth numbers in the country. One reason companies are hiring is the favorable tax structure in the state - according to the Tax Foundation's 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index, Missouri ranked seventh for the most favorable corporate tax structure in the U.S. 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 Missouri - General Motors announced plans to invest $133 million in its Wentzville facility. Ford Motor Company is also expanding - the automaker is adding a third production shift for the F-150 and hiring an additional 900 workers at its Kansas City assembly plant, part of a $1.1 billion expansion. Automotive suppliers also announced significant new investments, including Grupo Antolin North America ($16 million, 118 jobs) and Yanfeng USA ($45 million, 263 workers), which will manufacture interior trim components in Riverside for General Motors. "Missouri offers an excellent business climate and we are excited to join the state's strong community of automotive companies," states David Wang, president of Yanfeng USA. Other hot growth sectors include IT and aerospace. According to the Tech America Foundation, Missouri had the third-fastest rate of technology job growth in 2013 and major IT announcements like Cerner Corporation ($4.3 billion, 15,000 jobs) and Express Scripts ($57 million, 1,600 jobs) back that up. In aerospace, Boeing is expanding its research facilities in St. Louis County and Aviation Technical Services will establish an $8 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul base at Kansas City International Airport, creating about 500 jobs in the next three-to-five years. Arizona - Silver Shovel Chief Executive magazine ranked Arizona as the sixth-best state in the nation in which to do business in 2013 - a four-spot jump from the previous year's report. Forbes also picked Arizona to have one of the best economies in the U.S. over the next five years, projecting an economic growth rate of 4.6 percent and job growth of 3 percent. Key industries in Arizona are aerospace, renewable energy, bioscience, photonics, advanced manufacturing, and IT. Bioscience is quite strong, generating $36 billion in annual revenue and employing more than 100,000 workers. The finance and insurance sector is also expanding - for example, State Farm Insurance will build a $600 million regional headquarters in Tempe, adding 5,000 new jobs. The hottest sector in Arizona is IT. In Mesa, Apple (through its partner GT Advanced Technologies) will undertake a $1.5 billion expansion to manufacture synthetic sapphire for cell phones, camera lenses, biometric devices, and other products. The project will require 700 new workers. GoDaddy plans to open a $27 million, 150,000-square foot global technology center in Tempe that will create at least 250 new jobs. Garmin International, an Olathe, Kansas-based GPS device manufacturer, is also expanding in Arizona. After a nationwide search, the company has decided to build an $11 million, 60,000-square-foot facility in Chandler, where it has leased space for the last five years. "Garmin has been a longtime employer in Chandler and the greater Phoenix area because of the highly skilled workforce," says Kevin Rauckman, Garmin's chief financial officer. "Investing in the construction of our own facility signals a long-term commitment to Chandler and the state of Arizona." Indiana - Silver Shovel Indiana's manufacturing industry is the driving force behind its economic recovery. Indiana ranked second in the country for manufacturing job growth, with more than 13,400 manufacturing jobs added in 2013. Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research predicts that Indiana's economy will slightly outperform the nation as a whole in 2014, growing at about 2.2 percent when adjusted for inflation. Transportation equipment manufacturing continues to create jobs across the state. North-central Indiana (including the Elkhart-Goshen area) is projected to see strong growth in 2014, with GDP rising by 4.6 percent - thanks to its vibrant cluster of automotive manufacturers and suppliers. For example, Drew Industries, which manufactures components for recreational vehicles, will move its headquarters from New York to Elkhart and expand its manufacturing operations there, investing $12.75 million and hiring up to 800 people by 2015. In another announcement, Grand Design RV is spending about $11 million to equip four manufacturing plants and establish its headquarters in Middlebury, creating up to 500 new jobs by 2016. In the Kokomo and Tipton areas, Chrysler Group is investing $374 million to expand Its facilities, making it the largest transmission manufacturing operation in the world. The expansion is expected to create about 1,400 jobs Other important sectors in the Indiana economy include life sciences and financial and insurance services. For example, American Specialty Health is spending more than $10 million to move its corporate headquarters from California to Carmel, Indiana, where it will create 675 jobs by 2016. And, Ash Brokerage Corporation ($19.6 million, 115 workers) and NextGear Capital Corporation ($19.5 million, 169 workers) are both undertaking expansions in the state. Tennessee - Silver Shovel According to Tennessee's 2014 Economic Report, the state is poised for strong growth in 2014 and 2015. Nonfarm employment increased by 1.5 percent from 2010 to 2013, an increase of more than 40,000 jobs - many of them in manufacturing. The greatest gains in 2014 are expected from leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and the booming transportation equipment manufacturing market. Tennessee has one of the largest automotive Industries in the South. It has generated more than 12 percent of all jobs in the state since the Great Recession and more than one-third of the manufacturing sector's output growth since 2010. Recent expansions include Nissan North America ($134 million, 900 jobs) and CalsonicKansei North America ($109 million, 1,200 jobs). Hankook Tire Company also plans to locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility In Clarksville. The $800 million manufacturing plant will create 1,800 new jobs and be operational by 2016. Tennessee will also be home to 9to5 Seating, which is "reshoring" its furniture manufacturing operations back to the U.S. from China. The company will invest in a $39.5 million facility in Union City and hire 510 people over the next five years. "We chose Union City because of its close proximity to our major markets and the availability of its talented workforce," says 9to5 Seating CEO Darius Mir. "We are determined to not only bring back manufacturing to the United States, but to reverse a 30-year trend by exporting our high-quality USAmade products competitively to Asia and other countries around the world. South Carolina - Gold Shovel Manufacturing continues to drive the South Carolina economy. One of the greatest strengths of its manufacturing industry is the diversity of its sectors - aerospace, automotive, plastics, chemicals, food processing, textiles, and forestry products are all showing gains. For example, Keer is building a $218 million textile plant in Lancaster County; Harbor Freight Tools USA is undertaking a $75 million expansion of its distribution center in Dillon County; JN Fibers will build a $45 million facility in Chester County; and ColgatePalmolive Company will build a $196 million plant in Greenwood County to manufacture hand soap. Combined, these four projects represent over 1,300 new jobs. The transportation equipment manufacturing industry is especially strong in South Carolina. Boeing leads the way in aerospace, with its $1 billion expansion in North Charleston. For the automotive sector, South Carolina has recruited more than $5 billion in capital investment and more than 8,000 jobs since 2011. The state is home to more than 250 automotive manufacturing plants and continues to attract top-tier suppliers, such as ZF Transmissions, a global supplier of driveline and chassis equipment, which recently announced a $175 million expansion of its operations in Laurens County. This will be the third expansion in four years for ZF, bringing the company's total investment in South Carolina to more than $600 million. South Carolina also supports a booming tire-manufacturing industry, led by Michelin - South Carolina's largest manufacturing employer. Nine of Michelin North America's 18 production facilities are located in the state. Over the last several years the company has announced new projects totaling $1.15 billion, which will create nearly 900 new jobs. Alabama - Silver Shovel Alabama is a leading exporting state - according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, it ranked 23rd for dollar value of exports in 2013. That total value - $19.3 billion - was just shy of the record high of $19.6 billion set in 2012. In 2013 the leading export was transportation equipment ($8.3 billion, 8.6 percent growth), followed by chemicals ($2.5 billion, 3 percent growth) and primary metal manufacturing ($1.5 billion, 3.9 percent growth). In fact, vehicles and parts have been Alabama's top export since 1998. 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 Mercedes Benz's plans to build a $70 million logistics hub in Vance, Tuscaloosa County, creating 500 new jobs. As automobile production increases, so does pressure on suppliers to deliver parts and components. DAS North America, a manufacturer of seat components, will invest nearly $40 million to expand its operations in Montgomery to supply Kia Motors. North American Lighting, which makes taillights and headlights, will undertake a $36 million expansion at its Muscle Shoals factory, creating 275 jobs. In Auburn, Donghee America is building a fuel-tank manufacturing plant to supply the Hyundai assembly plant in Montgomery. Phase one represents a $48 million investment and 80 jobs, but Auburn economic development officials say investment will ultimately grow to $90 million and 400 jobs. Top projects in other sectors include Boeing Research and Technology ($6 million, Huntsville) and Pharmavite ($16.5 million, Opelika). AlphaPet, a leading manufacturer of poly- ethylene terephthalate (PET) resins, announced it would build a $190 million manufacturing plant in Decatur, producing about 500,000 tons of resin per year. "We strongly believe in the future of manufacturing in the USA and believe Decatur is an excellent choice for our current expansion plans," comments Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama Ventures, parent company of AlphaPet. Kentucky - Silver Shovel Manufacturing is Kentucky's third-largest employment sector (13 percent) and contributes about 17 percent to the state GDP. Kentucky exports reached a record $25.3 billion in 2013, with products and services shipped to nearly 200 countries. Therefore it is no surprise that seven of the state's top-10 job creation/investment projects for 2013 are in manufacturing - and, as usual, automotive leads the way. Toyota Motor Manufacturing recently announced plans to expand its Georgetown assembly plant to build the Lexus ES. The $531 million investment will add about 750 jobs. Germany-based Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems is building a $29 million manufacturing operation in Russell Springs to produce high-end vent and trim systems. In Florence, Mubea recently opened a state-of-the-art, $44.5 million tailored rolled blank facility, which will use new techniques to manufacture automotive parts for lighterweight vehicles. "This facility is the only one of its kind in North America," says Doug Cain, CEO of Mubea North America. "The innovative technology we've brought to northern Kentucky is a key factor in our continuing successful growth." Other major industry announcements include Custom Food Products in Owingsville ($44.4 million, 200 employees) and PTC Seamless Tube Corporation in Hopkinsville ($102 million, 283 jobs). Two of the largest job-creation numbers in the state come from new support centers, a growing market in Kentucky. General Dynamics Information Technology plans to hire up to 1,000 workers at its new customer-care center in London, which represents an $18.5 million investment. Also in London, Serco recently opened a $15 million Medicare/Medicaid support center that will employ about 1,000 workers. Louisiana - Silver Shovel In 2013, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranked Louisiana as the top export state in the country and second for export growth. Louisiana had its best year for business development in the last six years. The company expansions and relocations announced in 2013 account for about 27,000 new jobs and $26.4 billion in new capital investment, along with hundreds of millions in new sales for suppliers and other smaller businesses across Louisiana. Much of this impressive growth is driven by the energy sector. In fact, in 2013 Louisiana announced several big energy projects worth $1 billion or more - including BG Group and Energy Transfer Partners' $9 billion facility in Calcasieu Parish that will employ 250 workers. Another impressive project will be Houston-based G2X's $1.3 billion natural gasto-gasoline facility (also in Calcasieu Parish), creating 243 new direct jobs and 748 indirect jobs. At The Port of Lake Charles, Magnolia LNG plans to invest $2.2 billion to develop a natural gas liquefaction production and export facility, producing about four million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year. "Southwest Louisiana's attractive infrastructure and strong workforce made Lake Charles an ideal location for our planned facility," indicates Maurice Brand, managing director for Magnolia LNG. Other sectors with strong projects in 2013 include chemicals (Russia-based Eurochem, $1.5 billion), information technology (IBM, $55 million), and engineering (ISC Constructors, $7 million). In aviation, AAR Aircraft Services will establish a $2 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul operation in Lake Charles, hiring 500 workers. "In 2014, Louisiana will be well-positioned to secure a healthy share of new business investment projects in the U.S.," says Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret. "Moreover, Louisiana's economy will experience significant job growth from projects announced in 2008 through 2013 that have not yet fully ramped up." FEWER THAN 3 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY Utah - Gold Shovel Utah has one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S. - its GDP growth rate of 3.4 percent was seventh-best in the country in 2012, driven by manufacturing and financial and insurance services. In 2013 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called Utah a "boom state," declaring it was the only state in the U.S. that placed in the top-10 for economic performance, infrastructure, business climate, exports, workforce, and entrepreneurship. One reason Utah's economy is so strong is because it is highly diverse, ranging from energy and traditional manufacturing to aerospace and defense, life sciences, nanotechnology, IT, electronics, telecommunications, and software development. Recent high-tech developments include SolarWinds' (IT management software) plan to build a $50 million operations hub in Salt Lake City (1,040 jobs). Also in the Salt Lake City area, ondemand digital interviewing platform provider HireVue will invest $30 million to expand its operations center, creating 540 new jobs. IT and telecommunications platforms are also critical for customersupport, fulfillment, and backoffice operations, which continue to grow in Utah. For example, 1800 CONTACTS, the largest retailer of contact lenses in the country, plans to invest $59 million to expand its Salt Lake City operations. In addition, Cardon Outreach, which works with healthcare providers to recover revenue and bad debt, is also expanding its operations in Utah, creating over 300 jobs. "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 Utah, and to focus on Utah for our centralized service functions going forward," says Mark Robinson, CEO of Cardon Outreach. Arkansas - Silver Shovel Manufacturing roots run deep in Arkansas. Nearly 14 percent of the state's workforce is employed in manufacturing. In fact, Arkansas has the highest percentage of manufacturing employment in the South, and the third-highest in the nation. With this deeply experienced workforce, low business costs, and the second-lowest unionization rate in the country, it is no surprise that manufacturers like to set up operations in Arkansas. 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. Arkansas is the headquarters for Tyson Foods, the third-largest employer in the state. Major food-industry announcements include Global Food Group's plans to build a $4.7 million manufacturing and packaging facility in Clinton, which will create 224 new jobs. Vikon Farms will build a $5.4 million poultry processing plant in Arkadelphia (172 workers) and contract with local growers. "Vikon Farms is doing more than bringing jobs to Arkadelphia; they're building agricultural partnerships with growers in the region," says Governor Mike Beebe. One of the biggest manufacturing projects in the history of the state is Big River Steel's plan to build a $1.1 billion steel mill in Osceola, which will employ 500 people and produce steel for a variety of industries, including automotive. Tier-1 and Tier-2 automotive suppliers in the state continue to expand to meet the growing needs of automobile manufacturers. For example, Hino Motors' plant in Marion will undertake a $55 million expansion to provide components for Toyota's Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia models. Kansas - Silver Shovel Kansas has long been known for its agricultural, foodprocessing, aviation, renewable energy, and animal science industries. Wichita is the center of aviation manufacturing in the state, which makes 50 percent of all domestic commercial aircraft and 40 percent of global aircraft. Leading manufacturers are Cessna, Bombardier Learjet, Hawker Beechcraft, Airbus, and Boeing. 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, Stason Animal Health, a pharmaceutical company that develops new chemical entities for companion animals, is establishing its corporate headquarters in Kansas City. 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 Wisconsin and New York). Top projects in the food industry include Hostess Brands ($130 million expansion, 500 jobs), Creekstone Farms ($60 million food-processing facility, 300 jobs), and Unilever's $152.5 million expansion of its margarine plant in Gardner. Another growing industry in Kansas is customer support/back office operations. Quest Diagnostics is planning to build a $10 million support center in Lenexa (500 jobs). Starwood Hotels and Resorts is con- strutting a $5 million customer service center in Wichita, employing nearly 1,000 workers. "We look for associates who are dedicated and customerservice oriented, with a desire to contribute to their communities," says Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president of Distribution, Loyalty, and Partnership marketing for Starwood Hotels. "After reviewing a number of options, Wichita was chosen as the best place to expand our North American customer service operations." Mississippi - Silver Shovel Mississippi has one of the better-performing economies in the Southeast. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Mississippi's economy grew 2.4 percent in 2012, outperforming the Southeast's 2.1 percent growth average. Since 2012 the state has announced the creation of more than 6,300 new jobs and more than $1 billion in private sector investment. Automotive is one of the most important manufacturing industries in Mississippi. Major manufacturers like Nissan, PACCAR, and Toyota are supported by a growing network of suppliers. For example, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing is investing $300 million in a new manufacturing plant in West Point, producing one million tires per year. Nissan's auto plant in Canton is developing a $50 million supplier park that will create 800 new jobs - the company's first major supplier park located in North America. In addition, Germany-based Feuer Powertrain GmbH has started construction on a $140 million plant in Tunica, where it will hire 300 workers to produce crankshafts for the automotive industry. "After an intensive site selection process, we are convinced locating our first overseas manufacturing facility in Mississippi is ideal for expanding our global manufacturing footprint," says Bernd Gulden, CEO of Feuer Powertrain GmbH. Other high-tech industries in Mississippi include advanced manufacturing and aerospace. Hybrid Technologies in Hattiesburg, for example, is one of the leading nanotechnology companies in the country. Important to many advanced manufacturing industries, especially aviation and aerospace, is the use of composite materials to improve specific material properties and reduce weight. Aurora Flight Sciences, a company in Columbus that designs and builds aerospace vehicles, recently opened a new $17 million facility that increases its commercial composites manufacturing operations. ** Project of the Year Global Foundries MALTA, NEW YORK Global Foundries, one of the fastest-growing semiconductor companies in the world, will build a $2 billion, 500,000-squarefoot-plus research and development center at its Fab 8 chip factory in Malta, creating about 1,000 jobs. The new center, which includes 90,000 square feet of cleanroom and laboratory space for developing new semiconductor technologies, will be the main global R8tD center for the company. The $2 billion expansion will bring the company's total investment at Fab 8 to nearly $9 billion over the last six years. "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 Ajit Manocha, CEO for Global Foundries. "The growth of GLOBALFOUNDRIES in Saratoga County, through the Technology Development Center (TDC), means an increase in the number of good paying jobs, opportunities for expansion of the supply chain, and the continuation of a robust business environment," added Dennis Brobston, president of the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. Project of the Year Engineered Floors WHITFIELD AND MURRAY COUNTIES, GEORGIA Leading carpet manufacturer Engineered Floors, based in Dalton, will invest $450 million to construct new facilities in Whitfield and Murray counties, creating 2,000 new jobs over the next five years. The company already has several manufacturing facilities and a distribution center in northwest Georgia. "We are pleased that these new facilities will allow for further job creation for the area," comments Robert E. Shaw, CEO of Engineered Floors. "The exemption of sales tax on energy in the manufacturing process that was put in place during the 2012 legislative session makes a significant difference to manufacturers looking to grow and succeed." Methodology Area Development s annual Gold and Silver Shovel Awards recognize states for their achievements in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. We collected information from all 50 states about their top-10 job-creation and investment projects initiated in 2013 (only those projects that actually had monies invested, "broke ground," began an expansion, started new hiring, etc. were considered). Based on a combination of weighted factors - including the number of new jobs to be created in relation to the state's population, the combined dollar amount of the investments, the number of new facilities, the diversity of industry represented - five states achieving the highest weighted overall scores are awarded Area Development's 2014 Gold Shovels in five population categories: 15+ million, 8+ to 15 million, 5+ to 8 million, 3+ to 5 million, and fewer than 3 million. Runners up in each of these population categories are awarded 2014 Silver Shovels. Project of the Year A leading provider of IT and technology solutions for hospitals and other healthcare providers, Cerner Corporation will build a $4.3 billion, 4.1 -million-square-foot campus in south Kansas City, creating up to 15,000 new jobs. The campus will include office buildings, data centers, a daycare center, and retail shops. Kansas City provided $1.63 billion in tax incentives to win the project. "Over the 30-plus years we've been here, there have been a lot of milestones for the company," says Cerner co-founder Cliff lllig. "Our preference is to grow in Kansas City. This is as big a statement as we can make about where we want our future." "After leading the nation in technology job growth for two years running, Cerner's historic expansion in Kansas City cements Missouri's position as hub for high-tech, high-paying jobs," says governor Jay Nixon. "Today it's clear that our strategy of providing a competitive business climate and investing in our highly skilled workforce is resulting in more jobs and more investments in the Show-Me State." 3+ to 5 MILLION POPULATION CATEGORY Project of the Year Boeing NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA Boeing plans to expand its 787 Dreamliner campus in North Charleston, investing $1 billion and adding at least 2,000 jobs by 2020. The company is acquiring additional acreage adjacent to its campus to build an information technology "center of excellence" that will require about 1,000 employees; the other 1,000 workers will consist of engineers and production employees. 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, Boeing is positioned for significant and sustained growth in the years ahead," says Boeing South Carolina spokesperson Candy Eslinger. Project of the Year MSC Aerospace CEDAR CITY, UTAH . * MSC Aerospace (MSC), in partnership with subsidiaries Syberjet Aircraft and Metalcraft Technologies, will construct a $400 million facility in Cedar City to manufacture business jets, creating 1,200 new jobs. MSC, which already owns 250,000 square feet of manufacturing and hangar space at the Cedar City airport, makes components for aerospace companies. Over the 20-year life of the project, MSC will pay nearly $130 million in state taxes and over $1 billion in payroll. "This is a landmark moment for the community of Cedar City and is an economic development game-changer," says Brennan Wood, economic development director for Cedar City. "A project of this size and scope does not go unnoticed by the manufacturin9 industry or site selection professionals. SPONSORS Alabama Alabama Department of Commerce The Alabama Department of Commerce helps bring jobs and investment to the state by recruiting some of the finest companies in the world to locate within the state's borders and by helping companies located here expand. Call us to find out how we can help your company grow. Greg Canfield, Secretary of Commerce Alabama Department of Commerce 401 Adams Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 800-248-0033 or 334-242-0400 www.madeinalabama.com The Valley Partnership Located in the Greater Columbus, Georgia, Region, the Valley Partnership includes Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot, and Taylor counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama. The Valley Partnership in the Columbus, Georgia, region is a public-private partnership focused on business attraction and retention, regional marketing, and advocacy on behalf of Fort Benning and the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. William P Murphy, Executive Vice President of Economic Development The Valley Partnership 1200 Sixth Avenue P.O. Box 1200 Columbus, GA 31902-1200 706-327-1566 * Fax: 706-327-2137 bmurphyOthevaileypartnership.com www.thevalleypartnership.com Arizona City of Mesa City of Mesa Office of Economic Development works to enhance Mesa's economy, create quality jobs, increase per capita income, and improve quality of life for residents through attracting companies to Mesa and helping Mesa companies grow and expand. The Office of Economic Development is the primary point of contact for businesses, site selectors, ana community stakeholders to obtain technical expertise and support services necessary to properly evaluate the business opportunities in Mesa. Kim Lofgreen, Marketing and Business Development Manager City of Mesa Office of Economic Development 20 E. Main St. P.O. Box 1466 Mesa, AZ 85211-1466 480-644-2398 * Fax: 480-644-3458 kim.lofgreenOmesaaz.gov www.mesaaz.gov/economic Arkansas Metro Little Rock Alliance The Metro Little Rock Alliance represents a 12-county region with a population of over 1,000,000 people. It is located in the center of the country and in the second-fastest-growing region of the United States, with 40 percent of the nation's population and buying power within a 550-mile radius. It's where "America Comes Together." Joey Dean, Executive Director Metro Little Rock Alliance One Chamber Plaza Little Rock, AR 72201 1-800-905-6577 * 501-377-6006 jdeanOlittlerockchamber.com www.metrolittlerockalliance.com Georgia Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority The Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose goal Is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting new investment into the community while providing a full range of economic development services to existing and prospective businesses in Greater Dalton. Andrew Cames, Vice President of Economic Development Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce 100 S Hamilton Street Dalton, Georgia 30720 706-712-0958 * Fax: 706-226-8739 carnesOdaltonchamber.org www.locationdalton.com Georgia Power Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. With an international reputation for excellence in economic development, the company has helped bring more than 113,000 jobs and almost $24 billion in investment to Georgia over the last decade. Jonathan Sangster, General Manager Economic Development Georgia Power 75 Fifth Street NW, Ste. 175 Atlanta, GA 30308 404-506-2216 * Fax: 404-506-1474 econdevgaOsouthernco.com www.SelectGeorgia.com The Valley Partnership Located in the Greater Columbus, Georgia, Region, the Valley Partnership includes Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot, and Taylor counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama. The Valley Partnership in the Columbus, Georgia, region is a public-private partnership focused on business attraction and retention, regional marketing, and advocacy on behalf of Fort Benning and the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. William P Murphy, Executive Vice President of Economic Development The Valley Partnership 1200 Sixth Avenue P.O. Box 1200 Columbus, GA 31902-1200 706-327-1566 * Fax: 706-327-2137 bmurphyOthevalleypartnership.com www.thevalleypartnership.com Illinois Hoosier Energy Hoosier Energy is an electric generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity and other services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives, in central/southern Indiana and southeast Illinois. The Hoosier Energy economic development team provides a wide array of services including site and building searches, incentive guidance, site analysis, and electric rate estimates. Harold Gutzwiller Hoosier Energy P.O. Box 908 Bloomington, IN 47402 812-876-0294 * Cell: 812-360-4796 Fax: 812-876-5030 hgutzwillerOHEPN.com www.HoosierSites.com Indiana Columbus Economic Development Board Columbus, Indiana, is known for its manufacturing prowess, engineering strengths, and world-renowned architecture. Significant growth has recently occurred at Cummins Inc., PMG Indiana, Toyota Industrial Equipment and sister firm Toyota Material Handling USA, and many more. Information on recent corporate relocations and expansions is available at www.ColumbuslN.org. Jason Hester, CEcD - Executive Director Columbus Economic Development Board 500 Franklin Street Columbus, IN 47201 812-378-7300 * Fax: 812-372-6756 jhesterOcolumbusin.org www.ColumbuslN.org Hoosier Energy Hoosier Energy is an electric generation and transmission cooperative providing electricity and other services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives, in central/southern Indiana and southeast Illinois. The Hoosier Energy economic development team provides a wide array of services including site and building searches, incentive guidance, site analysis, and electric rate estimates. Harold Gutzwiller Hoosier Energy P.O. Box 908 Bloomington, IN 47402 812-876-0294 * Cell: 812-360-4796 Fax: 812-876-5030 hgutzwillerOHEPN.com www.HoosierSites.com Kansas Kansas Department of Commerce Already a terrific place for business, Kansas keeps getting better. Recent tax reform has eliminated income taxes for many types of companies, ensuring that businesses have more money to invest in our economy. With pro-growth, business-friendly policies and incentives, and numerous other advantages, Kansas is the perfect state for your business. Barbara Hake, CEcD Business Recruitment Manager Kansas Department of Commerce 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66612 913-307-7379 * Cell: 913-375-5835 Fax: 913-307-7392 bhakeOkansascommerce.com KansasCommerce.Com/KBIZ Kentucky Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Kentucky is open for business. Whether your company is looking for an ideal location, competitive utility rates, a highly skilled labor pool, or flexible workforce development programs, Kentucky is the choice for companies to do business. Explore the many advantages of the Commonwealth and you'll find Kentucky will go the extra mile to exceed your needs. Mandy Lambert, Acting Commissioner Department for Business Development Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Old Capital Annex 300 W. Broadway Frankfort, KY 40601 Mandy. LambertOky.gov www.ThinkKentucky.com Berea Industrial Development Authority Berea is always open for business. We have 473 acres available for building; we are a work-ready certified community, 600 miles from 50 percent of U.S. population; 52 percent of the personal income; and 55 percent of manufacturing employees. We nave I-75 running north and south through Berea and east west I-64 only 24 miles to the north. Thomas McCay, Director of Business Development Berea Industrial Development Authority 212 Chestnut Street Berea, KY 40403 859-228-1040 Mobile: 859-626-2426 Fax: 859-228-1043 tmccayObereaky.gov http://bereaky.gov/ Louisiana Greater New Orleans, Inc. The progress of Greater New Orleans over the past five years has been rapid and dramatic; the publisher of Forbes called it "one of the great turnarounds in American history." In economic development, we are at the highest point, in every economic ranking, in our history. Grady Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President, Business Development Greater New Orleans, Inc. 365 Canal Street, Suite 2300 New Orleans, LA 70130 504-527-6900 infoOgnoinc.org www.gnoinc.org Mississippi Mississippi Development Authority Opportunity is abundant in Mississippi. A growing list of global companies and entrepreneurs are calling Mississippi home. The state's strategic location offers easy access to U.S. markets, and recent tax and energy reform add to Mississippi's growth capacity. Find out why Mississippi is ranked one of the top states to do business at mississippi.org. Mario Dorsey, Chief Marketing Officer Mississippi Development Authority mdorseyOmississippi.org www.mississippi.org Missouri Missouri Department of Economic Development The Missouri Department of Economic Development works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri's businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. Missouri Department of Economic Development 301 W. High Street P.O.Box 1157 Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 LÏJÎSii© 573-751-4962 * Fax: 573-526-7700 ecodev4ded.mo.gov www.ded.mo.gov Missouri Partnership The Missouri Partnership is a public-private, nonprofit corporation responsible for recruiting new jobs and investment to Missouri. Through collaboration with a network of partners across the state, the Missouri Partnership's dedicated team works to attract new companies by marketing Missouri's business advantages. For more information, please visit www.ad.missouripartnership.com. Christopher Chung, CEO Missouri Partnership 120 South Central Ave., Suite 1535 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 314-725-0949 * Fax: 314-725-0743 chris4missourlpartnershlp.com www.ad.missourlparternship.com New Jersey New Jersey Partnership for Action led by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno New Jersey offers a powerful combination of business assets including a strategic Northeast location, a highly educated and trained workforce, a comprehensive transportation network, a state-of-the-art communications infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment with powerful new Grow NJ financial incentives. Tracye McDaniel, President Choose New Jersey, Inc. 201 Rockingham Row Princeton Forrestal Village Princeton, NJ 08540 609-297-2200 * Fax: 609-297-2201 President4choosenj.com www.choosenj.com Mercer County, NJ, Office of Economic Development and Sustainability As New Jersey's capital county, Mercer County is a center for commerce and culture in the Garden State. Located midway between New York City and Philadelphia, Mercer County's 12 municipalities are home to more than 366,000 people in 226 square miles. Brian M. Hughes, County Executive Elizabeth M. Muoio, Director Mercer County, New Jersey Office of Economic Development and Sustainability McDade Administration Building 640 South Broad Street Trenton, New Jersey 08650 609-989-6555 * Fax: 609-695-4943 BusinessAdvocate4MercerCounty.org www.businessinmercer.com New York Mohawk Valley EDGE Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT is a 430-acre greenfield site in Upstate NY, pre-permitted for semiconductor manufacturing. Since 2000, over $25 million has been invested in infrastructure at the site. Features include in excess of 100MW of power with 99.9999 redundancy, over 6MGD of water, and within a twohour drive of SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Cornell University, RIT, RPI, and Clarkson and Binghamton universities. Mark Reynolds Marcy Nanocenter at SUNYIT 315-338-0393 Reynolds4mvedge.org www.mvedge.org National Grid National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks in Northeast U.S. and Great Britain. As part of its continued commitment to the economic well-being of the communities and companies we serve, we have budgeted $12m in 2014 to support economic development in Upstate N.Y. Linda J. Hill, Lead Economic Development Representative National Grid 1125 Broadway Albany, NY 12204 518-433-3691 Mobile: 518-423-5833 Linda.Hill4NationalGrid.com www.Shovelready.com www.nationalgrid.com Saratoga Economic Development Corp. Located within 175 miles of Boston, New York City, and Montreal, Saratoga County New York is in the middle of the world's richest marketplace. Our economy is diverse, ranging from manufacturing to agribusiness, including a growing semiconductor and microelectronics industry sector and a growing highly educated, skilled, and productive workforce. Dennis Brobston, President Saratoga Economic Development Corporation 28 Clinton Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-0945 * 1-800-587-0945 dbrobston4saratogaedc.com info4saratogaedc.com www.saratogaedc.com North Carolina Electricities of North Carolina, Inc. Electricities is a not-for-profit government service organization representing 70+ NC cities and universities that own electric distribution systems. A site selection professional can receive detailed reports from our extensive databases on dozens of NC sites, from mountains to coast, within 48 hours of a request. We're your turnkey services partner. Brenda Daniels, Manager, Economic Development Electricities of North Carolina, Inc. 1427 Meadow Wood Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 1-800-768-7697 ext. 6363 Mobile: 919-218-7027 bdaniels4electricitles.org www.electricities.com Pennsylvania Pennsylvania DCED Pennsylvania. Built to Advance. Pennsylvania's rich industrial heritage, bolstered by its strategic Northeast location offering prime access to top U.S. markets, has established a rocx-solid infrastructure that's both supporting today's advanced industries and paving the way to sustain future economies. Pro-business Governor Tom Corbett is revolutionizing Pennsylvania's jobs climate by lowering taxes and growing the state's energy sector. By harnessing the world's second-largest energy field, Pennsylvania is driving down energy costs and reigniting manufacturing. Factor in a highly skilled workforce of 6.4 million and unparalleled collaboration with world-renowned universities, and you'll see why Pennsylvania is built to advance. Scott Deitrich, Director Small Business Champion Network Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development 400 North Street, 4th Floor |g|%x,/si'isi Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225 SInMT 800-280-3801 ra-dcedsbcn4pa.gov www.newPA.com/sbcn Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation is an accredited economic development agency that works to help companies come, start, stay, and grow here in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. The scenic Lehigh Valley is the fastest-growing region of Pennsylvania - and a top-75 metro region in the U.S. John McGran, Vice President, Marketing Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation 2158 Avenue C, Suite 200 Ma|LUM Bethlehem, PA 18017 ISlCftUÜ 610-266-6775 * Fax: 610-266-7623 TO JMcGran4lehighvalley.org |-.i www.lehighvalley.org 1SJF Tennessee Tennessee Department of Economic andCommunity Development Business is a sound investment in Tennessee. As a fierce competitor on a global scale, the Volunteer State provides expanding or locating companies a central location with unparalleled infrastructure, a highly qualified workforce with a focus on education and training, a low tax burden, and a collaborate environment with a business-friendly administration. Allen Borden, Assistant Commissioner, Business Development Division Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue Nashville, TN 37243-0405 615-532-1294 * Fax: 615-741-7306 allen.borden4tn.gov TNECO.com http://tnecd.com http://tn.gov/ecd Texas Texas Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism The Texas economy continues to thrive across a wide range of industries. While Texas leads the nation with a diverse and robust energy sector, the state's large work force and nation-leading infrastructure create a thriving network that supports IT operations, plastics manufacturing, call centers, and chemical projects - making Texas truly Wide Open for Business. Jonathan Taylor, Executive Director j- Economic Development & Tourism t-IluiXSI- Office of Governor Rick Perry www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com biztexCgov.texas.gov San Antonio Economic Development Foundation San Antonio has a "culture of business" that includes pro-business leadership, solid growth, abundant workforce, land, and affordable energy that attracts diverse industries and job-producing investments to the city. Learn why 100 companies in six years have chosen to partner with SAEDF and San Antonio's collaborative business community. Tom Long, Executive Vice President of Business Recruitment San Antonio Economic Development Foundation 602 E. Commerce St. San Antonio, TX 78205 210-226-1394 tlongCsanantonioedf.com www.sanantonioedf.com Utah Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) provides resources for the creation, growth, and recruitment of companies to Utan. GOED is your front door to one of the top states for business, according to Forbes, Pollina, and CNBC. This and past years' winning projects demonstrate the diversity of our economy. Michael O'Malley, Business Marketing Director Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development 60 E. South Temple - Third Floor Salt Lake City UT 84111 801-538-8879 * Fax: 801-538-8881 businessutahCutah.gov http://business.utah.gov Cedar City-Iron County Office of Economic Development Cedar City, Utah, is home to MSC Aerospace, which is expanding its facilities to manufacture the Syberjet SJ30 Aircraft. This project is a 2014 Gold Shovel Project of the Year award winner. Cedar City is an ideal location for companies desiring easy access to markets throughout the western U.S. Brennan Wood, Economic Development Director Cedar City-Iron County Office of Economic Development 10 N Main Street Cedar City, UT 84720 435-865-5115 * Mobile: 435-233-0055 Fax: 435-586-2949 wbrennanOcedarchy.org www.cedarchy.org www.cedarcrty.org/523/Office-of-Economk-Development Information for this report was compiled by Area Developments Editor, Geraldine Gambale. Article was written by Mark Crawford, Staff Editor. (c) 2014 Halcyon Business Publications, Inc. |