Tractor Supply Celebrates Grand Opening of Tenth and Largest Distribution Center in Maumelle, Arkansas

Posted on by Michael Randle

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced today the opening of its tenth and largest distribution center in Maumelle, Arkansas. The 1.1 million square-foot facility represents an investment of more than $175 million in the region and will create 500 full-time jobs for local residents.

“Our distribution centers play a critical role in our commitment to being a dependable supplier for our customers as they live Life Out Here,” said Hal Lawton, president and CEO at Tractor Supply. “Each one of our more than 2,200 stores has to have what our customers need, when they need it. As more people embrace this lifestyle and we continue to open new stores across the U.S., our new distribution center in Maumelle will help ensure that we are there for our customers when they need us, providing the legendary service they have come to know and love.”

The Maumelle facility will serve approximately 250 stores in the Southeast, Midwest and Texas, while also fulfilling digital orders in the region. Tractor Supply opened its first Arkansas store in Pulaski County in 1960, and today has 39 stores throughout the state. Tractor Supply also owns and operates eight Petsense by Tractor Supply locations in Arkansas. Arkansas EDC

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$23 million investment will create 28 new jobs in Anderson County, S.C.

Posted on by Michael Randle

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Southern Wall Products, Inc. (Southern Wall Products), a manufacturer of drywall finishing products, today announced it selects Anderson County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The $23 million investment will create 28 new jobs.

Established in 1981, Southern Wall Products manufactures and sells finishing solutions for the drywall industry under the Ruco brand name. The company produces ready-mix joint compound, ceiling textures, setting compounds and primers.

Southern Wall Products currently has one manufacturing facility in Tucker, Georgia. The new facility, located at 1632 Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson, will increase the company’s capabilities to serve customers throughout the Southeast. South Carolina Department of Commerce

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Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama vote against unionizing in blow to big UAW push

Posted on by Michael Randle

Autoworkers at a Mercedes Benz plant in Alabama voted against joining the United Auto Workers union Friday, potentially stalling hopes of a rapidly growing organizing wave for autoworkers in the southern United States.

The result was a close outcome. Out of the valid votes counted, 56% of workers voted “no,” while 44% voted “yes” for unionization, according to Mercedes-Benz. The National Labor Relations Board said Friday there were more than 5,000 eligible voters.

The UAW was hoping to carry its strong momentum with the Alabama vote, as its decision to use a “stand up strike” strategy, hitting the Big Three automakers all at once, brought unprecedented attention and record contracts for workers. And last month, it won a union election at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, its first victory in three attempts to organize the factory.

Under relatively new UAW president Shawn Fain, the UAW had shifted its strategy for a membership push in non-unionized factories, many of which are located in the American South.

CNN

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What does UAW’s failed Mercedes-Benz union vote mean for Alabama? What comes next?

Posted on by Michael Randle

With the possibility of a unionized workplace at Alabama’s first auto plant seemingly in the rearview mirror for now, the state’s economic strategy for recruiting major employers is expected to remain status quo.

But that comes with a cost dubbed the “Alabama discount.”

That’s what union advocates and some workers use to describe the state’s practice of handing over millions of dollars in economic incentives to big companies like Mercedes-Benz without, they say, ensuring better working conditions and pay for the people who make the cars.

Though the United Auto Workers can still challenge the election results with the National Labor Relations Board, the vote tally on Friday showed about 56% of workers at the state’s two Mercedes plants in Vance and Woodstock opted against unionizing.

Workers voted 2,045 to 2,642 against UAW representation.

Nearly 5,100 production and maintenance workers at the automotive plant in Vance and the electric battery plant in Woodstock were eligible to vote. AL.com

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Owner of Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer announces $130M Georgia project

Posted on by Michael Randle

A high-end clothing company that owns many well-known brands will relocate and expand its South Georgia distribution operations.

Atlanta-based Oxford Industries Inc., which owns several retail brands including Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Johnny Was, announced Friday it will build an $130 million distribution facility in Lyons, which is roughly 185 miles southeast of Atlanta. The project is expected to add more than 60 new positions to the company’s South Georgia workforce.

The new facility will occupy a nearly 50-acre site along U.S. 1 in Lyons, a city in Toombs County of about 4,200 residents. The project is described as the first phase of a larger relocation and expansion project, which Oxford Chairman and CEO Tom Chubb said in a news release is “the largest capital investment in our company’s history in Toombs County.” Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Nick Saban says pro-UAW ads use his words out of context, wants them pulled

Posted on by Michael Randle

Former Alabama Coach Nick Saban has released a statement on the eve of this week’s union election at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Tuscaloosa County, saying some comments of his have been used without his approval in support of the union.

Saban said he does not endorse the union and has asked that ads featuring his words be pulled.

“I recently learned the United Autoworkers (UAW) union has taken the liberty of featuring my comments in advertisements released as part of its campaign to organize workers at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI),” Saban said.

“Not only were these comments taken entirely out of context, they were also being used without my knowledge or permission,” Saban said.

“I do not personally endorse the UAW or its campaign and have asked the UAW to remove any advertisements featuring me from circulation. I encourage all Team Members to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election,” the former Alabama football coach’s statement read.

AL.com

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As Mercedes votes, Montgomery Hyundai workers at union rally call for better conditions, benefits

Posted on by Michael Randle

Workers at Montgomery’s Hyundai plant described difficult working conditions and arbitrary scheduling at a rally Monday evening led by clergy and faith leaders.

The rally came amid a campaign led by the United Auto Workers to unionize the factory and an ongoing vote this week at Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Vance on whether to organize under the UAW.

“We have actually no voice inside of work,” said Gilbert Brooks, a 15-year veteran of the plant who works on machines that take sheet metal and shape them into vehicle parts. “Basically, it is one-sided. Pretty much what Hyundai says goes. They make and break their own rules. Pretty much, you can’t make plans because Hyundai has control basically.”

AL.com

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Working for Alabama package aims to supercharge Alabama’s economic growth

Posted on by Michael Randle

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey today signed the “Working for Alabama” legislative package into law, with the goal of transforming Alabama’s workforce, getting more Alabamians trained for high-paying jobs, streamlining Alabama’s economic development efforts and investing into Alabama communities, especially those in rural areas.

The bipartisan, six-bill package aims to streamline and make more efficient and effective the state’s efforts and strategies in these respective areas.

“Our state leaders over the past few years have taken up several ambitious challenges to address Alabama’s top areas of need,” Governor Ivey said. “And the results are paying out in dividends.

“From broadband to infrastructure to The Game Plan we passed last year and now, Working for Alabama, we have come together to put Alabama first and have paved the way for a stronger economy and a better quality of life for all Alabamians,” she said.

madeinalabama.com

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Ford reveals when West Tennessee’s BlueOval City mass local hiring to begin, details plant’s environmental features

Posted on by Michael Randle

Ford Motor Co. just announced a slew of workforce and environmental initiatives and confirmed that mass hiring for BlueOval City is scheduled to start next year.

To that end, Ford is shifting its focus to local engagement, education, and environmentalism as equipment installation begins at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center (TEVC).

Robotic training cells, conveyors, paint spray booths, and stamping press lines are all being installed now as Ford plans to start delivering Project T3 vehicles to customers in 2026.

“We have been humbled by the warm hospitality extended to us by our new neighbors in West Tennessee,” Kel Kearns, plant manager of the TEVC, said in a release. “As the company that helped create the American middle class, we want residents in every community around the region to benefit as BlueOval City comes to life.”

Hiring for hourly workers is set to begin in 2025, with Ford unleashing its BlueOval Learning workforce development plan to build up a local workforce in the meantime.

Training is expected to feature a mix of online, classroom, and hands-on training. It will work in tandem with Ford’s developing recruitment pipeline, the crown of which is the Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville. Ford also announced that that facility would come online later this year.

TEVC plant leadership have long discussed building out a local workforce pipeline, with Memphis as a primary focus.

Memphis Business Journal

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Gov. Beshear: Over $1.6 Million in State Funding Approved To Support Workforce Development of Nearly 5,000 Kentuckians

Posted on by Michael Randle

Bluegrass State Skills Corp. continues to support and develop Kentucky’s workforce

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted Kentucky’s continued investment in workforce training initiatives as he announced over $1.6 million in state support has been approved through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC) to assist with the training and development of nearly 5,000 Kentucky workers.

“Kentucky is home to an incredibly talented workforce, and it is our job to equip and support them with the skills necessary to do the jobs that we are bringing to the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “The Bluegrass State Skills Corp. is essential to our workforce training and development, giving employees the tools necessary to be successful and helping our businesses continue to build on Kentucky’s economic momentum.”

Through the BSSC’s Grant-in-Aid and Skills Training Investment Credit programs, over $1.6 million in state support has been approved to train and develop 4,982 Kentucky employees across 25 companies.

This month’s approvals included workforce training support for over 770 employees at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort and an additional 393 trainees for Franklin Precision Industry in Franklin. Other approvals include 299 trainees at Cumberland Cooperage in East Bernstadt, 227 workers at Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems in Edmonton, 200 trainees at Goose Creek Candles in Liberty, 190 employees at Piston Automotive in Louisville and 150 workers at Federal-Mogul Motorparts in Glasgow.

Including this month’s meeting, Gov. Beshear has now announced over $19 million in funding through BSSC across 127 projects to train over 42,600 Kentucky workers for fiscal year 2024.

Gov. Beshear previously announced over $10 million 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, agribusiness, 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 furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $30.6 billion in announced investments, creating more than 52,700 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.

In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and top 10 nationally in its 2024 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.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.

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