Good Economic News

Here are just a few of the recent jobs announcements that have crossed my desk in recent weeks.

In Junction City, Kansas, Advanced Call Center Technologies, a provider of back office services, will open a facility and hire 625 people. Congrats to economic developer Susan Jagerson.

Mursix Corporation, a maker of precision components, will expand in Delaware County, Indiana, creating 108 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Terry Murphy.

In Hendersonville, Tennessee, Novita Technologies will expand and create 31 jobs.

Curry Supply Company, a maker of vehicles for the energy industry, will expand in Blair County, Pennsylvania, creating 50 jobs.

In Hampton County, South Carolina, packaging products supplier Progressive Packaging will open a distribution center and hire 5 people.

AB Mauri, a supplier of food products, will open its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, creating 60 jobs.

In Burlington, Iowa, Baker’s Pride, a provider of food products, will expand and create 62 jobs. Congrats to economic developers Jason Hutcheson and David Toyer.

In Swisher, Iowa, micro-distillery Cedar Ridge Vinyard will expand and create 1 job.

Auto supplier Magna Powertrain of America, Inc. will expand in Delawars County, Indiana, creating 50 jobs.

In Hampton County, South Carolina, plastic products maker Dixie Poly-Drum Corporation will reopen a facility and create 84 jobs.

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, aluminum products suppliers Constellium N.V. and UACJ Corporation will open a facility, creating 80 jobs.

In Kent County, Michigan, modular assemblies maker Challenge Manufacturing Co., Inc. will expand and create 80 jobs.

In Alpharetta, Georgia, Halyard Health, a health care services provider, will locate its headquarters, creating 200 jobs.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, baby gear maker 4moms will expand and add 120 jobs.

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, rubber band maker Alliance Rubber Company will expand and create 15 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Jim Fram.

In Antigo, Wisconsin, cheese maker Sartori Company will expand and hire 53 people.

Nello Corporation, a maker of towers and poles, will open a facility in South Bend, Indiana, creating 639 jobs.

In Pettis County, Missouri, BioStar Systems will open a biogas energy plant, creating 23 jobs.

In Skokie, Illinois, bioscience company LanzaTech will open a facility and hire 30 people.

In LaPorte, Indiana, aerospace manufacturer Alcoa will expand and hire 329 people.

Coyote Manufacturing Company, a maker of boat parts, will locate in Nashville, Georgia, creating 100 jobs.

In Tobaccoville, North Carolina, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company will begin producing digital vapor cigartettes, creating 200 jobs.

Highland Industries, a maker of technical fabrics, will expand in Statesville, North Carolina, adding 29 employees. Congrats to economic developers Mike Smith and John Marek.

Louis Hornick & Company, a maker of textiles, will locate in Allendale County, South Carolina, creating 125 jobs.

Verizon Wireless will expand in Arkansas, creating 285 jobs.

Trucking firm CRST will expand in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, adding 30 workers.

In Jeffersonville, Indiana, steel processor Delaco Kasle Processing Indiana, LLC will locate a new facility and create 105 jobs.

Green Box NA Michigan, LLC will open a recycling operation in Cheboygan and Detroit, Michigan, resulting in 331 jobs.

In Shelby County, Kentucky, bourbon maker Diageo will open a distillery and hire 30 people.

In Mount Vernon, Indiana, Valero Renewable Fuels Company will expand its ethanol facility and create 61 jobs.

Medical science company Northwest Medical Isotopes will open a facility in Columbia, Missouri, creating 68 jobs. Congrats to economic developer Mike Brooks.

Green Link Wood Industries, a hardwood veneer maker, will open a facility in Bamburg County, South Carolina, creating 44 jobs.

Defense industry supplier Dasan Machineries will locate in Gwinnett County, Georgia, resulting in 150 jobs.

Peristyle, LLC, a maker of distilled spirits, will open a facility in Woodford County, Kentucky, adding 10 workers.

In Marshall County, Indiana, auto components maker Universal Bearings, LLC will expand and hire 78 people.

Echo Group, Inc., a supplier of electrical products, will move to Council Bluffs, Iowa, hiring 117 people.

Royal Building Products, a provider of building materials, will expand in Newbern, Tennessee, creating 85 jobs.

In Jackson County, Indiana, auto components supplier Aisin Chemical Indiana, LLC will expand and add 74 employees. Congrats to economic developer and Indiana Pacers fan Jim Plump.

In Walton, Kentucky, eBay will expand and hire 300 workers.

Printing company Pacemaker Press PP&S will open a facility in Franklin County, Tennessee, creating 39 jobs.

In Trousdale County, Tennessee, auto parts maker ARC Automotive, Inc. will open a facility and create 66 jobs.

KBRS, a maker of composite products, will open a facility in Jasper County, South Carolina, hiring 30 employees.

In Story City, Iowa, American Packaging Corporation will expand and add 20 employees.

Health management services provider OurHealth will expand and add 450 employees in Indiana.

Medical services company Evonik Industries will open an R&D center in Birmingham, Alabama, creating 25 jobs.

In Frankfort, Kentucky, Buffalo Trace Distillery will expand and hire 110 people.

Glass fabricator Viracon will expand in Bulloch County, Georgia, creating 125 jobs.

In Yorkville, Illinois, candy and gum maker Wrigley will expand and hire 75 workers.

In Anderson County, South Carolina, switchgear maker E&I Engineering, Inc. will open a new facility and hire 250 people.

Hospira, Inc., a provider of medical services, will expand in McPherson, Kansas, creating 150 jobs.

In Buncombe County, North Carolina, auto components maker BorgWarner Turbo Systems will expand and add 63 employees.

In Galesburg, Illinois, component maker Pegasus Manufacturing, Inc. will open a new facility and hire 17 people.

Government Contracting Specialists, Inc., a construction firm, will locate offices in Currituck County, North Carolina, creating 60 jobs.

Otsuka Chemical Company, Ltd. Will open its headquarters in Spalding County, Georgia, creating 32 jobs.

HireRight, Inc., a provider of employee screening services, will expand in Charlotte, North Carolina, creating 80 jobs.

FirstSource Group USA will open a call center in Louisville, Kentucky, creating 300 jobs.

In Barnwell County, South Carolina, flooring maker Kronotex USA will expand and create 28 jobs.

Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors, a maker of auto components, will open a facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, creating 184 jobs.

Open Control Systems, LLC, a provider of building control systems, will expand in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 25 jobs.

Electronic retailer ShopHQ will expand in Bowling Green, Kentucky, adding 150 workers.

Golden Dragon, a maker of copper tubing, will open a facility in Wilcox County, Alabama, creating 300 jobs.

In Davidson County, Tennessee, food maker Tyson Foods will expand and hire 157 people.

In Bamburg County, South Carolina, Augusta Fiberglass Coating, Inc. will expand and create 69 jobs.

Roll-up door maker Janus International will open a new facility in Butler, Indiana, creating 50 jobs.

Palmetto Aero, a provider of products to the aerospace industry, will open a facility in Colleton County, South Carolina, creating 44 jobs.

Fastenal Company, a distributor of industrial and construction equipment, will expand in Indianapolis, Indiana, hiring 60 people.

Technology company Celanese Corporation will expand in Boone County, Kentucky, adding 10 workers.

Dennison Lubricants will expand and add 20 jobs in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Telecommunications provider Verizon Wireless will expand in Huntsville, Alabama, adding 400 workers.

TerrePure Kentucky Distillers, Inc. will open a distillery in Daviess County, Kentucky, hiring 70 employees.

Total Jobs Announcements: 8,246

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana:

Office: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

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Brand Acceleration is a full-service website development, marketing communications, branding, and public relations firm with a focus on economic and community development.

It’s Time to Rebuild our Workforce

And, remember those who served

By: Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

On this Memorial Day morning, I find myself thinking of lost family members and those who fought and died so that each of us can live a free and wonderful life.

Coincidentally, at about the same time I was writing this article, the Black Diamond Jet Team flew over my house as they prepared for the traditional Indianapolis 500 flyover. This reminded me that for generations, the American military has not only served the needs of our country, but also for the freedom of oppressed peoples around the globe.

Just as we rebuilt our economy after wars, we find ourselves rebuilding after years of economic struggle. Although many causes and symptoms remain, our economy is beginning to show encouraging signs of recovery. There is still work to do, and we need to be smart about it.

As long as I can remember, parents have been telling their children that the ticket to a better life is a college education, and I certainly agree. For some, though, a back of back-breaking toil still exists. My Dad spent much of his life feeding the family through physical labor. It was respectable work, but physically demanding. As an electrician, he climbed poles for the local rural electric cooperative, wired houses, and served as an electrician in a factory. Like many jobs, these are changing dramatically.

Parents, guidance counsellors, teachers, and school administrators, in a quest to get students into a four-year university, often stereotype factory work as dirty, stinky, dangerous, physically demanding, and a place where unskilled people end up. As economic developers, we need to educate the parents and educators about the realities of today’s factories, food processors, distribution centers and other places where workers make stuff. They are well intentioned, but often just ignorant of today’s realities.

The fact is that some young people, for whatever reason, won’t attend a four-year school. Sometimes it’s due to less-than-ideal grades, or maybe the young person doesn’t fit into a university environment. In many cases, the person is someone who enjoys working with his or her hands. For this person, community colleges often hold the key. A certificate program in welding, CNC operation, machine maintenance, or other program may provide just what is needed for a fulfilling and comfortable life.

Today’s facilities are bright, clean, safe, and utilize some of the most advanced technology in the world. The jobs are available, in huge demand, and pay very well. Who would have thought that a CNC operator would earn $125,000 a year turning our engine parts?

At a time when many communities are racing to prepare Certified Business Parks and erect spec shell buildings, many are also working hard to prepare a trained spec workforce. When a prospect calls, the sites, buildings, and workforce are ready to roll.

On this solemn day, when we honor those who gave so much for our country, I suggest that one way to honor their service is to prepare for an economy that will fuel our nation’s economic recovery and lead the world for generations to come. As a reminder to yourself, be sure to fly your flag, too.

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts and personal experiences below.

Have a great week and I’ll see you soon,

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

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Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and website development firm with a focus on community and economic development.

5 Ways to Turbocharge Your Economic Development Website

It’s a combination or art and science

By: Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Since the early days of the internet, users have struggled to develop websites that actually produce results. At first, just having a website was seen and groundbreaking, or a bit kooky. After all, many thought it would be a passing fad. A few still believe that.

Then, a few odd ball individuals saw an opportunity to capitalize on the trend and started “website design” firms that would create a website for anyone willing to pay for their misunderstood services.

Today, successful economic development websites are as much science as design. Sure, everyone wants a site that is beautiful, but understanding, in great detail, what visitors want is what makes one website successful and another a flop.

Over the years, we’ve conducted an ongoing study of web visitors like site selection consultants, c-suite executives, and real estate brokers, studying their likes, dislikes, and expectations. Having built and hosted numerous economic development websites, we’ve studied the visiting habits of these crucial audiences. As a result, we’ve learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t.  In fact, we’ve identified upward of eighty points of differentiation that we factor into every site we build. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Make a great first impression

Our study of economic development website visitors shows that design and photography are highly influential in determining how visitors respond. The navigation bar has to be very intuitive, making it easy to find the more important pages such as Sites & Buildings, and Workforce Data. If they have to hunt, they may leave.

Photography is also very important. Visitors respond much better to action images than static photos of lifeless places.

2. Great writing makes all the difference

Once you’ve determined your target industries and key messages, it’d very important to have your copy written by an expert in website writing, and even more important that that writer understands the economic development audiences. Part of our research has been a study of which messages, words, and phrases stimulate a positive response by the previously-mentioned audiences.

 In addition to writing for the human audience, great web writers know the science of writing for search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. I’ve seen our writers analyzing the effectiveness of how word order impacts Google rankings.  Seem anal? Maybe, but if this understanding helps push a site up a couple notches in a search, it’s worth it.

3. Where are you?

A real pet peeve of economic development website visitors is when they can’t tell where you are. “Welcome to Washington County” doesn’t cut it. There are thirty-one Washington Counties in the United States. How are they to know which one your site represents?  Be sure to include your state name.

Here’s another tip. Unless you live in a state with an iconic shape, such as Texas or Florida, it’s best not to use your state or county shape in your logo. Ask yourself this; would a c-suite exec in Shanghai recognize your county shape?

4. Quality of life may not be your lead

In our study of “Most Important Economic Development Website Pages,” quality of life ranked fifteenth. Unless you’re in an oceanfront beach location or a mountain arts community, trying to position your place as a hipster hotspot is probably not your best approach. Plus, of the nation’s 3,144 counties, boroughs, and parishes, how many claim to be “A great place to live and raise a family?”

Once a site selector short-lists your community, meaning you can expect a visit by the management team, and maybe the trailing spouse, then quality of life plays a more important role. For that reason, you must know what is expected of your QOL web page.

5. Contact info

It still amazes me when I come across an economic development website and can’t find the contact information. Really? The most common compliant of visitors is the inability to find this information. Another is when a visitor is expected to fill out an online form or send an e-mail to an “info@” or “contact us” e-mail address. Consider this; you’ve spend thousands or millions of dollars to prepare for and attract jobs projects. Are you going to blow the deal by making it difficult for a prospect to contact you? Show your phone number and e-mail address on every page.

As mentioned, effective economic development websites are a combination of art and science. These are just a few examples of ways to elevate the effectiveness of your site.

Free website evaluation

If you’d like us to take a look at your website, just send me the link. We’ll gladly provide a free evaluation showing strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement.

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts and personal experiences below.

Have a great week and I’ll see you soon,

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis: 317.536.6255

Charlotte: 704:230:0394

Atlanta: 404.474.7980

Fax: 317.222.1425

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

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BrandCoach Blog

Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development branding and marketing.

Good Economic News

Here are just a few of the recent jobs announcements that have crossed my desk in recent weeks.

Window and door maker Anderson Corporation will expand in Bayport, Minnesota, creating 100 jobs.

Masterbrand Cabinets will expand in Ferdinand, Indiana, creating 260 jobs.

In Plano, Texas, automaker Toyota will consolidate services and hire 4,000 people.

Kemin Industries, a maker of meat protiens, will expand in Verona, Missouri, creating 24 jobs.

Trailer maker Novae Corporation will expand in Markle, Indiana, adding 75 workers.

In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Torcomp, USA, a machinery maker, will open a new operation and hire 73 people.

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, foodservice equipment maker AccuTemp Products, Inc. will expand and hire 14 people.

Custom Coolers, Inc., a maker of coolers and freezer products, will open a new plant in Elkton, Kentucky, creating 75 jobs.

BrightStar Care will expand and add 800 jobs companywide.

Coyote Manufacturing, a maker of boats, will open in Berrien County, Georgia, creating 100 jobs.

In Greenville County, South Carolina, Precorp, Inc., a provider of machining services, will expand and add 29 employees.

In Vigo Countyy, Indiana, convenience store chain Casey’s General Stores, Inc. will open a distribution center and hire 185 people.

Dickten Masch Plastics, a maker of engineered plastic products, will expand and add 30 jobs in Ankeny, Iowa.

Novozymes, a bioagriculture company, will expand in Wake County, North Carolina, creating 100 jobs.

Healthcare services provider Orchid Orthopedic Solutions Alabama, LLC will locate in Jackson, Tennessee and hire 25 people.

Youth Villages will add 100 employees companywide.

Automaker BMW will expand in Spartanburg, South Carolina, creating 800 workers.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, hc1.com, a healthcare cloud service provider, will expand and add 175 jobs.

In Auburn, Kentucky, Champion PetFoods USA, Inc. will open a kitchen and add 147 employees.

In York County, South Carolina, McKesson Medical-Surgical, a distributor of medical supplies, will open a distribution center, creating 140 jobs.

Mill Steel Company, a steel products supplier, will open a new facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana, creating 43 jobs.

In Lexington, Kentucky, lodging services company Creative Lodging Solutions, LLC will expand and add 120 workers.

Aalto Scientific, a maker of medical diagnostic equipment, will establish a new plant in Putnam County, Georgia, creating 80 jobs.

Farm, ranch, and pet supplier Miller Manufacturing will expand in Glencoe, Minnesota, creating 20 jobs.

Mesh Systems, LLC, a technology firm, will expand in Hamilton County, Indiana, creating 40 jobs.

Shri Govindaraja Textiles will open a new location in Rockingham County, North Carolina, creating 84 jobs.

In Leeds, Alabama, auto supplier Engineered Plastic Components will open a facility and hire 110 people.

In Henderson County, North Carolina, plastics maker Elkammet, Inc. will expand and hire 20 people.

Enovate Medical, a medical technology company, will expand in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, creating 410 jobs.

CYRACOM will expand and add 425 employees companywide.

In North Augusta, South Carolina, information products provider Medac, Inc. will establish a facility and hire 615 people. Congrats to economic developer and Brand Acceleration client Will Williams on a job well done.

In Sullivan, Missouri, telecom services provider Fidelity Communications will expand and add 37 employees.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, communications software maker Interactive Intelligence will expand and hire 430 people.

In Sioux City, Iowa, trucking company Hirschbach Motor Lines, Inc. will open a new operation and hire 120 employees.

In Columbia City, Indiana, medical technology provider DOT GmbH will open a new facility and hire 20 people.

UC Synergetic, an engineering company, will locate its headquarters in York County, South Carolina, creating 130 jobs.

Whitewave Food Company, a food and beverage company, will locate in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, hiring 100 people.

In Alamance County, North Carolina, foodservice manufacturer Cambro Manufacturing Company will open and hire 100 people.

Interstate Hotels and Resorts will expand and hire 1,400 people companywide.

Precision Plastics, Inc., a custom plastics injection molder, will expand in Whitley County, Indiana, adding 15 employees.

In Marion County, South Carolina, Aerial Options, a supplier to the fire truck industry, will expand and add 13 employees.

In Dubois County, Indiana, engine and transmission remanufacturer Jasper Engines & Transmissions will expand and add 235 employees.

In Martin County, North Carolina, plastic film maker Syfan Manufacturing will expand and add 24 employees.

In Emporia, Kansas, Simmons Pet Food, Inc. will expand and create 50 jobs.

Signode, a maker of packaging products, will open a new plant in Chapin, South Carolina, creating 130 jobs.

Hart AgStrond, LLC, a maker of canola oilseed products, will build a plant in Trenton, Kentucky, creating 25 jobs.

Locker and mailbox maker Floorence Manufacturing will expand in Manhattan, Kansas, adding 100 employees.

Pepsi MidAmerica, a Pepsi franchise, will expand in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, adding 74 jobs.

In Clinton County, Indiana, pork processor Indiana Packers will open a new operation and hire 98 people.

Telecommunications company Verizon will add “several thousand” employees companywide.

IP Pathways, a supplier to data centers, will expand in Urbandale, Iowa, creating 53 jobs.

Auto components maker GKN Driveline will expand in Catawba County, North Carolina, creating 228 jobs.

The Corsi Group. A maker of cabinetry, will open a manufacturing facility in Charlotte County, Virginia, creating 110 jobs.

In West Des Moines, Iowa, Microsoft Corporation will build a data center and hire 84 people.

In Fulton County, Georgia, gaming developer Hi-Rez Studios will exand and hire 30 people.

Auto components supplier Jager Group will expand and add 52 employees in LaPorte, Indiana.

In Henrico County, Virginia, business services provider Teleperformance will open a customer service center and hire 500 people.

Real Propert Managament will expand and add 100 employees companywide.

In Morgan County, Indiana, auto components maker TOA, LLC will open a new facility and hire 220 people.

Delta Dental, a service provider to dentists, will expand and hire 15 people in Urbandale, Iowa.

In Campbellsville, Kentucky, office solutions service provider Frost-Arnett will expand and add 70 jobs.

Lomont Holdings Company, a maker of signs, will expand in Steuben County, Indiana, creating 20 jobs.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Babcock & Wilcox Intech, Inc. will expand and hire 50 people.

Suminoe Textile of America, a supplier of textile products, will expand in Cherokee County, South Carolina, adding 100 employees.

Hose maker NORRES will open a new facility in South Bend, Indiana, creating 32 jobs.

Aeterna Zentaris, Inc., a biopharma company, will open a facility in Charleston County, South Carolina, creating 60 jobs.

TM Track Machines will open a railcar repait facility in Parsons, Kansas, part of the Joplin Region, creating 75 jobs.

Software and IT company 4^th Source, Inc. will open a new headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana, creating 320 jobs.

Heartland Food Products Group, a maker of drink flavorings, will expand in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 160 jobs.

Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems, a component maker, will open a new facility in Russell Springs, Kentucky, creating 155 jobs.

Heritage Glass will open a manufacturing operation in Sullivan County, Tennessee, creating 237 jobs.

Charles & Alice Group, a food processing company, will open a facility in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, creating 50 jobs.

Emerson Process Management, an instrumentation maker, will expand in Shakopee, Minnesota, adding 400 jobs.

In Hamilton County, Indiana, Beck’s Hybrids, a producer of agricultural seeds, will expand and hire 100 people.

Auto supplier Martinrea Riverside, LLC will open a new facility in Riverside, Missouri, creating 290 jobs.

Total Jobs Announcements: 15,831

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana: 317.536.6255

Fax: 317.222.1425

Charlotte, North Carolina: 704.230.0394

Atlanta, Georgia: 404.474.7980

Cell: 317.523.7380

jim@brandaccel.com

Brand Acceleration Web Site

LinkedIn

Twitter

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BrandCoach Blog

  

Brand Acceleration is a full-service marketing communications, brand management and public relations firm with a focus on economic development.