Michael Randle, Author at Southern Business & Development

Eastern Light Distilling To Break Ground on New $143.7 Million Distillery in Morehead, Ky. Creating 50 Full-Time Jobs

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 2, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and company leadership at Eastern Light Distilling for the groundbreaking of its new $143.7 million Morehead distillery, a project that is creating 50 new full-time positions.

“Eastern Light Distilling is adding to the historic growth we’re seeing all across Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today’s official groundbreaking ceremony marks another significant step forward for our spirits industry as it continues to provide incredible job opportunities for the Eastern Kentucky region. Congratulations to Eastern Light Distilling’s leadership on reaching this exciting milestone.”

Announced in June 2023, the new facility will introduce an innovative new concept that will grow the state’s signature bourbon industry in Eastern Kentucky while supporting craft bourbon makers as a custom contract distiller. The locally owned venture is led by Kentucky bourbon industry veterans, including CEO Cordell Lawrence and Caleb Kilburn, an internationally recognized master distiller.

The Lane Report

Atlanta is third-most popular market for data center investors, per CBRE report

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Atlanta is the third-most popular market for data center investments in the United States, according to a survey by CBRE.

CBRE’s 2024 Global Data Center Investor Intentions Survey found that 49% of respondents said Atlanta was one of their top markets for investment.

Atlanta was behind Dallas-Fort Worth and Northern Virginia, which were chosen by 61% and 68% of respondents, respectively.

The new survey comes after a recent CBRE report that said Atlanta is the fastest-growing data center market, based on the number of new projects between 2022 and 2023.

The South is seeing unprecedented and “explosive” growth in these developments, said Mike Lash, CBRE’s first vice president on the data center solutions team in Atlanta.

Demand for data centers previously was located in the Northeast, but due to the exponential growth in digital products around the world and the development of generative artificial intelligence, there’s an increased demand for more data centers everywhere.

“The South has been a beneficiary of that, for sure,” Lash said.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Union, studios reach contract deal for Georgia film and TV workers

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

The labor union representing behind-the-scenes crews on film and television productions in Georgia and several other states has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) that, if approved by members, will avert a feared strike.

The contract, called the Area Standards Agreement, includes improvements in wages, living allowances and health and retirement benefits, along with guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence, among other provisions. The contract still has to be approved by a ratification vote, which will be held at a forthcoming date, according to a news release from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

The news comes two days after both parties reached a deal on another contract, called the Basic Agreement, which covers about 50,000 members across West Coast local chapters. The Area Standards Agreement announced Thursday night covers 23 locals across the nation in Georgia, Louisiana and other several states with IATSE chapters and their 20,000 members.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Rivian reveals Q2 manufacturing figures. Here’s what you need to know

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Electric-vehicle maker Rivian had a busy second quarter, one that could prove pivotal for the startup and its promised $5 billion Georgia factory.

From April to June, the California-based automaker announced a partnership with Volkswagen that could ultimately be valued at up to $5 billion, a second generation of its flagship vehicle models and reiterated its future Georgia manufacturing plans — although the factory’s construction timeline remains unknown.

Despite three months of surprises and splashy announcements, the company’s manufacturing efforts in Illinois were more ho-hum. Rivian released its production and delivery figures Tuesday morning, which its leaders said come during a transition point for the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

Here is what you need to know about the company’s second quarter:

Rivian produced 9,612 vehicles during the three months ending in June, a 31% decrease from both a year ago and last quarter.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Shape Corp. celebrates opening of second Alabama production facility

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

TANNER, Alabama — Shape Corp., a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, officially opened its second Alabama production facility today after completing a $74 million growth project that will create over 100 jobs in the coming year.

Michigan-based Shape, which opened a plant in nearby Athens in 2016, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at the new 202,306-square-foot facility in Southpoint Industrial Park.

“This new facility represents our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry,” said Mark White, president and CEO of Shape Corp. “By expanding our operations in Alabama, we are not only increasing our production capabilities, but also investing in the local community through job creation and economic growth.

MadeInAlabama.com

Auto parts maker Samkee opens first U.S. factory in Tuskegee, Ala.

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

TUSKEGEE, Alabama — Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair joined officials of Samkee Corp. and local leaders today to mark the opening of the auto parts maker’s new production facility in Tuskegee Commerce Park.

South Korea-based Samkee invested $128 million to build its first U.S. factory, which will employ over 170 people at full operation while providing a massive economic boost for rural Macon County.

“Samkee is a first-class addition to Alabama’s dynamic auto industry, and the opening of this state-of-the-art facility in Tuskegee demonstrates that the industry continues to gain horsepower in the state,” Commerce Secretary McNair said.

MadeInAlabama.com

Liebherr to expand Newport News-Hampton, Va. facility

Posted on July 5, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Newport News-based Liebherr Mining Equipment will invest $72.3 million to expand a plant at the border of Newport News and Hampton, creating an estimated 175 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday.

“We thank Liebherr, an international leader in mining equipment manufacturing, for its commitment to the commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Liebherr has recognized that Virginia is strategically located to serve as its global production headquarters for mining trucks and service customers within the United States and across the world.”

Founded in 1949, Liebherr Group is a family-owned technology and equipment producer. Founded in 1995, Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co. has more than 550 employees. It manufactures industrial-scale mining trucks used to transport material at open-cast mining operations. The trucks are partly assembled, tested and certified at the plant, and complete assembly occurs at the mine.

VirginiaBusiness.com

Amazon was a top target for Atlanta’s Gulch. Now it’s entertainment, hotels

Posted on July 2, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

It might have been the apex of the idea that Big Tech can revitalize cities.

Seven years ago, Amazon.com Inc. launched a sweepstakes for an East Coast headquarters. Atlanta was a finalist for the project, known as HQ2. Amazon liked The Gulch, a more than century-old convergence of rail lines that for years has left a 50-acre void in Downtown.

Amazon eventually split the headquarters between New York City and Northern Virginia. After backlash in New York, it consolidated the project just across the Potomac from Washington D.C.

Today, the new hub is Arlington County’s largest employer and has spurred plans for thousands of apartments and several million square feet of new or renovated offices.

Until recently, Atlanta also looked to Big Tech to author similar transformations. Even after Amazon spurned Atlanta, The Gulch was pitched as a prime opportunity.

But in several U.S. cities, technology companies have shelved plans to occupy office space. In Atlanta, Microsoft paused one of the largest projects in the city’s history.

The latest chapter for The Gulch reflects those realities. ‘

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Microsoft confirmed as company seeking tax break for Fulton County, Ga. data center

Posted on July 2, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Microsoft‘s data center footprint in metro Atlanta continues to expand.

The company confirmed to Atlanta Business Chronicle that it is the developer seeking a $75 million tax break over 10 years in Fulton County for a data center in Union City.

“Microsoft purchased this additional property in Fulton County, Georgia, to support data center construction already underway in the area,” said Bowen Wallace, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Datacenters, Americas sector, in a prepared statement.

The Development Authority of Fulton County will discuss providing tax incentives for the project during a Tuesday meeting.

The company is considering multiple locations outside of the county as well, according to a fact sheet from the development authority.

The project plans would include three data center buildings that would be owned and operated by Microsoft. Developing the site could cost about $43.5 million.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

California beverage manufacturer plans $420 million project in Winter Haven, Fla.

Posted on July 2, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Niagara Bottling LLC plans to create at least 100 full-time jobs at a new 1.45 million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Winter Haven’s Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center.

The California-based beverage supplier received a tax exemption for the approximately $422 million project in 2023. The company was expected to officially break ground that year but has yet to do so.

The “Project Mist” site plan was approved in February, according to the city of Winter Haven. Preliminary site work is underway. The master developer of the Intermodal Logistics Center, Phoenix-based Tratt Properties, sold Niagara 64 acres in the park in 2023, according to Polk County property records.

The new plant represents a sizable investment and aligns with Polk County’s economic development goals as it seeks to grow its advanced manufacturing capabilities. It’s also a win for the Intermodal Logistics Center, which is home to a Coke Florida plant and Florida Can Manufacturing. The industrial park has rail access serviced by CSX Corp., and economic developers and business leaders have long touted the property for its job creation potential. The property sat dormant for several years after its 2014 launch but is starting to gain traction with manufacturers.

Tampa Bay Business Journal