Want to work in climate? Look to Georgia and the Carolinas

Posted on by Michael Randle
  • The Southeast is becoming a hub for solar, electric vehicle, and battery manufacturing plants.
  • Companies in five states, including Georgia and South Carolina, could need nearly 40,000 workers.
  • Tax breaks in the Inflation Reduction Act are helping fuel the growth.
  • This article is part of Business Insider’s weekly newsletter on sustainability. Sign up here.

Southeastern states like Georgia and the Carolinas are quickly becoming hot spots for climate jobs.

Companies in the region that make solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery storage are building factories that may require some 40,000 workers, according to data compiled by E2 between August 2022 and November 2023. That figure reflects planned projects in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

“The US used to be relegated to buying solar panels and batteries made in China and other parts of Asia,” Bob Keefe, the executive director of E2, told Business Insider. “Now we are making them here, and we’re making them at scale.”

The manufacturing boom is largely driven by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Congress passed in August 2022. The law includes hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for companies that make renewable-energy technology in the US to accelerate the green transition and reduce the country’s reliance on China.

Business Insider

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Hope Baking Co. Plans $37M Expansion, 266 New Jobs

Posted on by Michael Randle

A $37 million expansion of Hope Baking Co.’s manufacturing facility in Hope is underway, the company announced Thursday.

The project is expected to create 266 jobs over two years. It began after Hope Baking Co.’s parent company, East Baking Co. of Holyoke, Massachusetts, acquired the former Southern Bakeries LLC facility in March 2023.

The company has added a new production line to the plant, which was built in the 1960s, but does not expect the 171,000-SF facility’s physical footprint to increase.

Arkansas Business

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Stardust Power Selects Muskogee, Okla., to Build Battery-Grade Lithium Refinery and Secures Economic Incentives Package for the Facility Build

Posted on by Michael Randle

Stardust Power Inc. (“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), a development stage American manufacturer of battery-grade lithium products, announced today that it has selected Southside Industrial Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma to build a new battery-grade lithium refinery, and is expected to be eligible to receive up to $257 million in state and federal economic incentives for the facility build-out. The Company may also be eligible for further federal grants and or incentives offered by the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense.

 

Stardust Power selected Muskogee, Oklahoma for its central refinery because of Oklahoma’s central U.S. location, facilitating delivery of lithium inputs and shipment of battery-grade lithium products over multiple transportation routes to support the Company’s refining operations. The area’s superior intermodal freight transport options as well as a highly skilled workforce trained in oil and gas engineering were other key factors. Additionally, Oklahoma is recognized as an emerging national leader in sustainable power, including solar and wind, supporting Stardust Power’s commitment to limit its carbon footprint.

 

“Stardust Power’s more than a billion-dollar investment is a testament to Oklahoma’s ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy, and our focus on workforce development,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “As we see more energy manufacturers moving to our state, due in part to our competitive, performance-based incentives, Stardust Power’s new lithium refinery will create hundreds of new jobs while cementing Oklahoma’s place as the best state in the nation for critical mineral manufacturing. I’m proud to welcome Stardust Power to Oklahoma, and I applaud their commitment to American energy dominance.”

 

Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman also commented, “Muskogee is excited to welcome Stardust Power to our community, embracing a future filled with innovation and sustainable growth. Stardust Power’s choice to establish its cutting-edge lithium refinery here underscores Muskogee’s strategic advantages. We anticipate a prosperous partnership that contributes to our community’s continued success.”

 

“We welcome Stardust Power to Muskogee and are proud that our city and Port will be at the forefront of powering the future of America’s automotive industry,” said Kimbra Scott, Executive Director of Port Muskogee. “The decision to establish a state-of-the-art lithium refinery reinforces Port Muskogee’s unmatched advantages and our commitment to supporting emerging industries. We look forward to a longstanding partnership as Stardust Power plants its roots in Northeastern Oklahoma.”

 

“We would like to thank Governor Stitt and officials at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Tulsa Chamber, City and Port of Muskogee for their strong support,” said Roshan Pujari, Founder and CEO of Stardust Power. “Oklahoma offers many advantages for private employers, including a strong, well-trained workforce and an eye on the future of energy production and mobility.”

 

“Currently there is no large-scale refinery for battery-grade lithium in the United States, exposing the country to undue national security and supply chain risk,” continued Mr. Pujari. “We will work with oil and gas producers to address America’s growing energy demands. When fully operational, our new lithium refinery will both speed America’s energy transition and boost Oklahoma’s local economy, creating significant new investment and employment opportunities. We are excited to call Oklahoma our new home.”

 

The total value of the economic incentive package will ultimately be determined by Stardust Power achieving certain business milestones around job creation and local investment, including new machinery, equipment and manufacturing. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce performed an illustrative analysis of the incentive package based on the Company’s inputs. The Company currently expects to break ground in the first half of 2024.

 

Oklahoma Commerce

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Town at heart of Toyota-induced development gets OK to unplug development clog

Posted on by Michael Randle

Pent-up development demand in the northeastern Randolph County town of Liberty has gotten some relief: The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has given approval for the town to add sewer lines.

The town and DEQ entered a special order of consent in January 2021 preventing Liberty from adding sewer extensions until it repaired its wastewater treatment system. The system had had several overflow events mainly from stormwater runoff leaking into it after severe storms, particularly after major hurricanes.

Without additional sewer service, significantly sized residential and commercial projects could not proceed.

It’s been a development hold-up for the municipality closest to the massive plant Toyota is building to make batteries for its growing lines of hybrid and all-electric vehicles. The automaker plans a nearly $14 billion investment in its new plant about seven miles northwest of Liberty, where it eventually employ 5,100 in North Carolina’s largest ever industrial project. It is getting its water and sewer service from an extension from the city of Greensboro, part of the infrastructure improvements that turned the property into a megasite drawing major industrial attention until the plant was announced in December 2021.

And some 10 miles east, Durham-based semiconductor company Wolfspeed is building a $5 billion factory to employ 1,800. It’s adding up: A growth plan Randolph County adopted last fall for its northeast corner predicts the area will grow in population by 13% through 2040.

Liberty, however, has begun shoring up the system to DEQ’s satisfaction.

Triad Business Journal

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Company that picked North Carolina for 375 jobs hits bankruptcy with $1.6 billion in debt

Posted on by Michael Randle

Less than three years after announcing plans for a large expansion in Morrisville, a California company focused on genetic testing has filed for bankruptcy.

Invitae (OTC: NVTA) on Feb. 13 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it pursues a sale of its business. The move follows months of layoffs and divestments of business units as the company tried to improve its cash position. While these initiatives helped with cash flow, the company’s debt remains a problem, CEO Ken Knight said in a statement.

The company, in its filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, lists total assets of $535 million and total debts at around $1.62 billion.

Invitae’s debt problems are tied to a streak of rapid acquisition activity, with the company completing 13 deals between 2019 and 2021. These transactions required large sums of capital and increased the company’s operating expenses. Invitae funded these deals by adding significant debt to its balance sheet, increasing its debt obligations by about $1.5 billion, according to court filings.

Invitae in April 2021 announced plans for a new testing and laboratory facility in Morrisville. The company later that year signed a lease for all 245,159 square feet of office, research and lab space at a new development called The Stitch – the former site of the Morrisville Outlet Mall off Airport Boulevard right off Interstate 40.

The lease term runs through 2035.

Triad Business Journal

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Zallpy Digital Announces International Expansion to Frisco, Texas

Posted on by Michael Randle

Frisco, Texas, Feb. 20, 2024 – Brazil-based Zallpy Digital, a leading provider of custom software development services, digital solutions, IT consulting and outsourcing, has announced the launch of its first international office with a U.S. Headquarters in Frisco, Texas. This strategic move, facilitated by the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, makes Zallpy Digital the first Brazilian company to establish a presence at The Star in Frisco. The Star is home to the world headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL’s most successful and beloved franchises, and holds the title of the world’s most valuable sports team. 

“Our international expansion is a strategic step towards tapping into new opportunities. We chose Frisco for several compelling reasons, including its strong local economy, logistical advantages relative to Brazil, high quality of life, and a significant presence in the global tech market,” said Marcelo Castro, CEO of Zallpy.  

Frisco, also known as Sports City USA, has been recognized as one of America’s safest and fastest-growing cities over the past decade. The city is home to twice the national average of tech talent, more than 500 tech companies and six major corporate innovation and research and development centers.  

Frisco Economic Development Corporation

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Louisiana Businesses Bet Big on Offshore Wind

Posted on by Michael Randle

Louisiana, long known as a major U.S. energy producer, is looking to extend that reputation well into the 21st century by nurturing a growing industry with immense economic potential: offshore wind. As part of that effort, the state ushered in the new year with its first-ever Wind Energy Week, a conference that brought together a diverse group of local business leaders and academics, port authorities, state lawmakers, environmental advocates, and global offshore wind developers.

In meetings and presentations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the group discussed the transformative potential of the offshore wind industry in Louisiana, spotlighting companies in the state with the expertise and capabilities to supply the components and services needed to harness offshore wind. Representatives from local companies shared their success stories building out offshore wind projects in the northeastern U.S. and explored collaborative opportunities for further involvement in projects along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

For example, eight Louisiana-based businesses were pivotal to the development and installation of the nation’s first commercial wind farm, the Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island, in 2016. From environmental impact survey work to the fabrication and installation of Louisiana-built turbine foundations by local mariners, the success of that project relied on Louisianans and their offshore expertise.

Governing.com

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bdtronic and Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation Announce 60 New Jobs Coming to Broken Arrow

Posted on by Michael Randle

The Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation announces that bdtronic, the leading global supplier of automated production machines, is creating 60 new jobs over the next five years with an average wage of $66,000 at the company’s Broken Arrow facility.

The jobs announcement qualifies bdtronic for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Quality Jobs Incentive.

“With bdtronic’s leading position as a supplier to this market, we have undertaken a rapid growth strategy and are pleased to partner with Oklahoma in being approved for the Quality Jobs Incentive,” says Michael Yarnall, President of bdtronic.

Yarnall says the 60 new positions highlight expertise in project management and engineering, machine controls software, mechanical and electrical assembly technicians, and support administration over the next 5 years.

Hopper Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, praises the announcement.

“As a leader and supplier in a highly specialized sector, the expansion of bdtronic is a huge win for Broken Arrow and Oklahoma,” Smith says. “bdtronic has proven its commitment to the local community with the addition of 60 high-quality jobs and Commerce is pleased to be the agency that offers incentives that allow for growth and retention of our existing companies.”

Broken Arrow leaders praised the announcement as a boon for the local economy.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

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Bringing In the Brine: South Arkansas Lithium Projects Face Engineering Challenges

Posted on by Michael Randle

An oil industry adage says if you’re looking to find the expert in the room on a big undertaking, “look for the guy who says it’s going to cost the most and take the longest.”

A big lithium boom in South Arkansas will demand costly engineering and construction, experts say. Companies like Exxon Mobil, Tetra Technologies and Standard Lithium have discovered promising amounts of lithium in the underground brines of the Smackover geological formation, which lies nearly 8,000 feet below the woods and fields of south Arkansas. That brine now feeds bromine production at Lanxess AG and Albemarle in Union and Columbia counties.

Arkansas Business

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Gov. Beshear: Over $1.5 Million Approved Statewide To Support Training for More Than 6,500 Kentucky Workers

Posted on by Michael Randle

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted Kentucky’s continued investment in workforce training initiatives as he announced over $1.5 million in funds and credits have been approved through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC) to assist with the training of over 6,500 Kentucky workers and employees.

“Kentucky’s record-breaking economic success is directly related to the hard-working, skilled individuals that make up the commonwealth’s workforce,” said Gov. Beshear. “Programs like the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. provide the necessary funding to train and support workers across Kentucky. This training will help give employees the tools they need to be successful and keep the commonwealth’s historic economic momentum going.”

Through the BSSC’s Grant-in-Aid and Skills Training Investment Credit programs, over $1.5 million in state support was approved to train and develop 6,543 Kentucky employees across 25 companies.

Included among this month’s approvals was workforce training support for over 1,000 trainees at GE Appliances in Louisville and an additional 684 trainees for Montaplast of North America in Frankfort. Other approvals include 487 trainees at Bluegrass Business Consortium Inc. in Berea, 307 trainees at Bluegrass Training Consortium Inc. in Georgetown, 317 employees at Kentucky Alliance Training Consortium Inc. in Georgetown, 221 trainees at Faurecia Interior Louisville LLC and 200 workers at Lyons Magnus LLC in Walton.

Including this month’s meeting, Gov. Beshear has now announced nearly $15 million in funding through BSSC across 78 projects to train over 28,000 Kentucky workers for fiscal year 2024.

Gov. Beshear previously announced over $10 million in funding for 115 applicants throughout the state to train nearly 35,000 workers for fiscal year 2023. The state also provided over $8.4 million in funds and credits during fiscal year 2022. Those funds assisted with workforce training for more than 35,400 Kentucky employees – the most since 2016.

The Grant-in-Aid and Skills Training Investment Credit programs assist employers throughout the commonwealth. Grant-in-Aid provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses, while the Skills Training Investment Credit offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs. Applications for both programs are accepted and considered for approval by the BSSC Board of Directors.

BSSC incentives are available to a range of operations, including manufacturing, agri-business, nonretail service or technology, headquarters operations, state-licensed hospital operations, coal severing and processing, alternative fuel, gasification, renewable energy production and carbon dioxide transmission pipelines.

For more information on BSSC or to apply for workforce training assistance, click here.

Kentucky’s investment in workforce training builds on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $30 billion in announced investments, creating more than 51,800 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kentucky’s credit outlook from stable to positive.

Site Selection magazine placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top 5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

Team Kentucky

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