Michael Randle, Author at Southern Business & Development

More flights, bigger aircraft: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport preps for Kentucky Derby 150

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

With 50 days and counting until the big race, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is gearing up for Kentucky Derby 150 with increased capacity on more flights, larger aircraft and additional nonstop service.

More than 34,000 arriving seats are scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, through Friday, May 3, with a combined 16 nonstop routes added specifically for Derby, according to a news release from the Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA).

“Derby is always SDF’s busiest time of year, and this year is no exception,” said Dan Mann, executive director of LRAA. “Our team has been in constant communications with the airlines about the significant increases we can expect for the 150th anniversary and plans are in place for what we believe could be a record year for SDF.”

Louisville Business First

Braves games among MLB’s hottest tickets in 2024, says StubHub

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Atlanta Braves tickets are among the hottest in Major League Baseball this season.

The Braves have the third-highest demand for tickets in the majors, according to a report from StubHub, the international ticket buying and selling platform. StubHub analyzed ticket sales on the platform to determine demand going into the 2024 MLB season.

Sales for Braves tickets on StubHub are 34% higher compared with the same time last year, according to the report.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, with new star Shohei Ohtani, and the New York Yankees, MLB’s winningest franchise, are first and second, respectively, in ticket demand. The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs round out the top five.

MLB sales on StubHub are up by more than 60% compared to the same time last year, according to StubHub.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Demand for Atlanta retail space outpaces supply, per Colliers report

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

From fast-food to fine dining and medical spas to pickleball, Atlanta is a top target for restaurants and retailers in expansion mode.

But there isn’t enough space to go around for everyone.

Approximately 3.4% of retail space in the metro area is vacant, a record low for the market and a continuation of the mismatch between supply and demand that has persisted for years, according to a fourth-quarter report from commercial real estate services firm Colliers International.

“It is the most competitive market I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Amy Fingerhut, who has worked in the commercial real estate industry for more than two decades.

Atlanta is appealing to retailers and restaurants for its strong population growth, cost of living, weather and relatively low minimum wages, said Fingerhut, senior vice president in CBRE’s Atlanta Retail Services Group.

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Third-part logistics provider FreezPak Logistics to establish new operation in Virginia

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that FreezPak Logistics, LLC, a leading provider of full-service cold and dry storage services, is investing $77.5 million to construct a 245,000-square-foot cold storage facility in the City of Suffolk to serve the Mid-Atlantic region via The Port of Virginia. Virginia competed with Georgia and North Carolina for this project, which will create 80 new jobs.

“FreezPak’s decision to locate in the City of Suffolk demonstrates that Virginia is a supply chain destination, and its new facility will allow it to serve the entire Mid-Atlantic region,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “All of FreezPak’s products will go through The Port of Virginia, a logistical advantage that will increase efficiency and increase its direct access to markets. This is a win for FreezPak, The Port of Virginia, and the Commonwealth.”

“FreezPak’s decision to locate in the Commonwealth is a recognition of Virginia’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and the immediate access The Port of Virginia provides the company to reach its core customers,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “We look forward to FreezPak’s growth and success in the City of Suffolk.”

VEDP

VW is reviving a storied American brand in South Carolina to sell electric SUVs

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

When Volkswagen decided to relaunch the Scout SUV brand it took a very unusual step. It created a new subsidiary company to design, build and sell vehicles targeted, almost entirely, at a single market: the United States.

Its status as a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, similar to Audi and Porsche, gives some indication of just how important this project is to VW. The revived and revamped Scout Motors will introduce its new brand of all-electric off-road-capable SUVs, kind of like Rivian.

But VW is banking on something Rivian doesn’t have, a backstory. An avid fanbase in America fondly remembers Scout. Here, it was one of the pioneering SUV brands, and its original models are collectibles today.

So, just as it’s doing with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, an electric update of the classic hippie bus, VW is touching on nostalgia to reach a new generation of car buyers. This time, though, it’s an American thing. Germans wouldn’t understand. Or so you might think.

CNN Business

Greater Nashville area grew by 86 people a day in 2023, Chamber of Commerce says

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Nashville’s population surged in 2023 – by 86 people a day to be exact.

According to recent population estimates from the United States Census Bureau, the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area added a total of 31,554 to its population through natural population changes as well as more people coming from other parts of the country.

The Nashville MSA population, which includes Davidson, Murfreesboro and Franklin, is believed to be 2,102,573 per the July 1 Census Bureau estimate.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce said Thursday that the addition of 31,554 people, compared to 2022’s 2,071,019 estimate, equates to about 86 people a day. The Tennessean

Economic Development Around the State of Georgia

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Italian EVs: Italian electric car manufacturer Imola Automotive USA is establishing a manufacturing plant on 195 acres in Fort Valley. The company plans to break ground by the third quarter of 2024 and open within 20 months, eventually employing 7,500 people.

Green Jet Fuel: LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels opened the world’s first alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Soperton. The $70 million facility, which will employ more than 250, will produce 10 million gallons a year of SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon, sustainable and certified ethanol that meets U.S. and global standards.

Columbus Manufacturing: Semiconductor manufacturer Micromize is opening its headquarters and first manufacturing facility in Columbus. The company, which specializes in energy-efficient electronics for wearables and mobile devices, will bring 20 to 25 jobs to the area.

Georgia Trend

Industrial steel processor to locate operations to Hickory, N.C. with $30 million investment

Posted on March 19, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Steel Warehouse Company, a leading steel service center, will create 58 new jobs in Catawba County. The company will invest more than $30.5 million to locate a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Hickory.

“North Carolina’s reputation as the best state for business continues to attract industry leaders to operate in our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Our central East Coast location, affordability, and world-class workforce will greatly benefit Steel Warehouse in this next phase of growth in Hickory.”

Steel Warehouse Company, a family-owned steel solutions provider and service center, boasts a rich 75-year heritage in the steel industry. Possessing deep metallurgical and engineering expertise, the company is headquartered in Indiana and operates 15 locations across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Distributing over two million tons of coil, sheet, and plate annually in hot- and cold-rolled materials, Steel Warehouse caters to a diverse range of industries including aerospace, agriculture, automotive, construction, energy, and transportation. The company is renowned for its experience in managing inventory and providing just-in-time shipments, ensuring timely and efficient delivery to meet customer needs. The latest expansion in Hickory is set to be an innovative operation, featuring enhanced processing capabilities designed to bolster the region’s industrial supply chain.

EDPNC

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and TOOTRiS Child Care Transform Work-Life Balance for Automotive Workforce

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

Montgomery, Alabama—The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to share an innovative collaboration between Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and TOOTRiS, a Child Care platform. Together, they are revolutionizing employee benefits by offering Child Care Benefits to HMMA’s automotive workforce.

Key Highlights:

Child Care Assistance: HMMA team members will receive 25% of their monthly Child Care costs up to $150 per month in Child Care assistance.
TOOTRiS Platform Access: Employees gain access to TOOTRiS’ cutting-edge platform, which boasts a network of many licensed Child Care providers. The platform allows for flexible scheduling options and real-time visibility into available Child Care slots up to a year in advance.

“HMMA’s partnership with TOOTRiS for employee Child Care benefits underscores the automaker’s status as a first-choice employer in the Montgomery region and demonstrates its leadership position within Alabama’s business community,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We know that affordable Child Care is an important workforce issue today, and this is great news for HMMA’s teammates.”

This strategic alliance underscores HMMA’s unwavering commitment to its working parents and the well-being of its employees. By addressing the critical need for accessible and high-quality Child Care options, HMMA aims to enhance employee satisfaction and attract top talent.

“Securing dependable Child Care is crucial for attracting and retaining exceptional talent, particularly in today’s fiercely competitive job landscape. We take immense pride in witnessing our local businesses adopt groundbreaking strategies for employee benefits, thereby serving as a trailblazing model for others to emulate,” – Anna Buckalew, President & CEO of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Streamlining the logistical challenges encountered by HMMA employees in balancing work and family responsibilities sets a precedent within the automotive industry. By prioritizing work-life balance, HMMA and TOOTRiS are leading the way in providing essential Child Care benefits to their workforce.

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Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., is an independent manufacturing operation of Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, Korea. HMMA currently produces the Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, and Santa Cruz, and the Genesis GV70 and Electrified GV70. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 830 Hyundai dealerships across North America.

About TOOTRiS
TOOTRiS, named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2023 and an Inc. 2023 Power Partner, is reinventing the Child Care industry as the first and only technology that unites all the key stakeholders – parents, providers, employers, and agencies – into a single platform, enabling them to connect and transact in real-time. This empowers employers to provide fully managed Child Care benefits, giving their workforce the flexibility and family support they need while the organization benefits from increased productivity and ROI. Through TOOTRiS, parents and providers also connect directly, allowing working parents to quickly find and secure quality Child Care while allowing providers to unlock their potential and fully monetize their program.

ABOUT THE MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
With a mission to drive economic prosperity and build a greater life for all in the capital region, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber is a full-spectrum economic development public/private partnership representing 1,500 businesses and organizations with more than 90,000 employees throughout Central Alabama.

Schneider Electric to expand, add 455 jobs to Middle Tennessee, bring $85M investment

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

An energy management and automation company plans to expand and add 455 new jobs in Wilson and Rutherford counties, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Schneider Electric will create 355 new jobs in Wilson County with the planned opening of a new facility on Maddox Road, according to the state. The company is also planning to expand its Smyrna location and create 100 new jobs there, the state said.

The total investment is estimated at $85 million.

It’s a “big win for our community,” Joint Economic & Community Development Board of Wilson County Executive Director Corey Johns said.

Schneider Electric is a global provider that has seen unprecedented growth in the energy sector, officials said.

The Tennessean