Michael Randle, Author at Southern Business & Development

West Point, Miss. lands aluminum processing operation, 68 new jobs

Posted on April 18, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

WEST POINT – An aluminum processing company is investing more than $29 million that will create 68 jobs.

Owl’s Head Alloys is locating its operations in Clay County, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.

The Bowling Green, Kentucky-based company is a secondary aluminum processor that melts and recycles aluminum products and by-products to be reused in manufacturing processes. The company will supply recycled aluminum to Aluminum Dynamics, which is building an aluminum rolling mill in Columbus.

MDA is providing $1.7 million in assistance for building improvements. The City of West Point and Clay County are providing local tax abatement assistance.

DJ Journal

Mississippi County, Ark. Awards $720K in Infrastructure Grants

Posted on April 18, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Mississippi County on Wednesday announced the recipients of its 2024 infrastructure grant program, awarding $720,050 to support seven critical water and sewer infrastructure improvements and projects.

The Mississippi County Water and Sewer Infrastructure Grant Program funds water and sewer infrastructure projects designed to address the infrastructure needs of the county. Each grant provides up to $125,000 to cities within Mississippi County and can only be used for infrastructure projects.

The grants are funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The grants fund up to 75% of project costs, with the remaining 25% being matched by the applicants.

Arkansas Business

Ky. Gov. Beshear Joins FEAM Aero for Grand Opening of $45 Million Expansion at CVG Airport Creating 250 Full-Time Jobs

Posted on April 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials from Boone County and leaders from F&E Aircraft Maintenance (FEAM Aero) to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new $45 million three-bay hangar at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), a facility that is creating nearly 250 full-time positions, including at least 124 Kentucky-resident jobs.

“We continue to see existing Kentucky industries grow and create quality jobs across the state, and the aerospace sector is no exception,” said Gov. Beshear. “FEAM Aero is the latest example of a company with an existing presence in the commonwealth to continue to invest and believe in our communities. This expansion will provide a huge boost to the Northern Kentucky economy and provide high-quality, well-paying jobs to the region. I am thrilled to be here today celebrating this grand opening and am excited to see FEAM Aero continue to succeed here in Kentucky.”

Leaders at the company, which currently employs 300 people at CVG, noted that the new operation will provide ample aircraft maintenance capacity and resources for its growing airline customer base in support of cargo operations such as Amazon and DHL. Additionally, alongside further initiatives currently in planning stages related to aircraft maintenance training, the new facility will provide viable employment opportunities for the next generation of aircraft mechanics throughout the region.

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Cryogenic Processors to open 115,000-s.f. Paducah, Ky. facility

Posted on April 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Cryogenic Processors will open a cutting-edge 115,000-s.f. cryogenic freezing and freeze drying facility to serve industries including food manufacturing, functional bacteria and cosmetics in Paducah in the fourth quarter of this year.

The plant’s capabilities will include a large freeze drying operation that will supplement its cryogenic flash freezing, ultra-cold storage and finished product packaging under one roof.

Oklahoma-based Cryogenic Processors has cryogenic freezing capabilities and is now adding the freeze-drying operation to its portfolio to help overcome a shortage of freeze-drying capability in the United States. Manufacturers typically must ship their product long distances to undergo the freeze drying process. Cryogenic Processors will be creating a one-stop shop approach to the overall process, saving manufacturers significant funds by handing their needs in its strategically situated mid-country facility.

The Lane Report

Fujifilm Diosynth blueprints another $1.2B expansion at North Carolina plant where it aims to employ 1,400

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

As the contract manufacturing industry stands at a crossroads, certain CDMOs are prospering while other stalwarts are going the sell-off route or warding off political and economic threats to their businesses.

Thursday, Fujifilm Diosynth proved it’s firmly in the first camp as the company unveiled another massive expansion in the U.S.

Fujifilm is investing $1.2 billion more to soup up its end-to-end biomanufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, bringing the total investment in the plant to more than $3.2 billion, the company said in a release.

Aside from adding large-scale production capacity, the project is expected to create 680 new jobs in Holly Springs, increasing the total number of positions at the site to 1,400 by 2031.

The move will help Fujifilm Diosynth harness the full potential of the antibody-drug market, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecifics. The company expects the antibody market to grow 8% per year through 2030.

FiercePharma.com

Cryogenic Processors to open 115,000-s.f. Paducah, Ky. facility

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

The plant’s capabilities will include a large freeze drying operation that will supplement its cryogenic flash freezing, ultra-cold storage and finished product packaging under one roof.

The Lane Report

$70M distillery project in Springfield, Ky., gets state incentives

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Slow Pass Bourbon Co. LLC is considering opening a new, nearly $70 million distillery in Springfield, Ky, and has received state economic development incentives to do so.

The company was founded by a team with decades of bourbon production experience that aim to provide bourbon and whiskey enthusiasts a rich and authentic commonwealth drinking experience, according to information presented at the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) monthly board meeting held in March.

The distillery’s total investment is $69.7 million, with $51.5 million going toward building and improvements, and $7.7 million toward potential land costs, according to information presented to the KEDFA board and recommended for approval.

They plan to start with a job target of 37 and reach 43 after about three years. The average wage target is set at $35.57 an hour, including employee benefits.

The Lane Report

HP Hood announces $83.5M expansion in Frederick County, Va.

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

HP Hood, a nationally branded dairy processor, will invest more than $83.5 million to expand dairy processing operations at its Winchester-area facility in Frederick County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced Tuesday.

The project includes upgrades to production and packaging equipment as well as construction of additional warehouse and cooler space. HP Hood’s expansion will provide increased production capacity that will fund technology allowing Hood to offer new products, according to a news release.

“We proudly selected this location to build a greenfield plant more than 24 years ago and have been grateful for the ongoing support of Frederick County and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” HP Hood President and CEO Gary Kaneb said in the release. “This expansion enables us to continue to grow Hood’s business and accommodate the [ever-changing] needs of our customers and continue to provide a market for local dairy farms through our local milk cooperative network.”

Virginia Business

Buchanan County, Va. expands industrial park

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Economic development is booming inside the Southern Gap Industrial Park in Buchanan County, where the county industrial development authority is spending $4 million to develop a new shell building and a 20-acre industrial site.

With support from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, the park has become a hub for growth in an area historically defined by its rugged terrain and limited industrial infrastructure.

“It’s going to allow us to have marketable industrial property and a marketable industrial shell building in an area right now [where] we don’t really have a lot to offer,” says Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA’s executive director. “We want to be able to bring job opportunities to all parts of the region that we serve.”

Virginia Business

Va. Beach economic developer to lead Va. Beach Vision

Posted on April 16, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Laura Hayes Chalk is leaving Virginia Beach’s economic development department to become the executive director of Virginia Beach Vision, a business advocacy group in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Vision announced Tuesday.

Chalk, who will start July 10, succeeds Martha McClees, who announced her retirement in November 2023.

Virginia Beach’s deputy director of economic development, Chalk joined the city in July 2019. Prior to that, she spent about seven years working for the Hampton Roads Alliance.

The executive director of VBV serves as the organization’s chief executive and works with its 130-member board of directors, which is comprised of business executives. Virginia Beach Vision focuses on seven areas: business development, comprehensive plan, crisis recovery, flood resiliency, member development, resort development and sustainability.

Virginia Business