Rants from the Brand Coach

Good News!

Here are just a few of the positive economic announcements that have come my way in recent weeks:

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck has announced plans to expand its operation in Durham, North Carolina, adding 150 new jobs.

Italian pasta maker Pastificio Rana has announced plans to open a production facility in Bartlett, Illinois, creating 70 new jobs.

In Milledgeville, Georgia, Triumph Aerostructures—Vought Aircraft Division will expand its facility and create 250 new jobs.

Aluminum recycler Huntington Aluminum plans to open a new facility in Huntington, Indiana, creating 43 new jobs.

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, General Motors Corporation will refurbish its facility and add 250 new jobs.

Windstream Hosted Solutions will add a new data center in Charlotte, North Carolina, adding an undisclosed number of new employees.

In Boone County, Indiana, Skjodt-Barrett Foods, a maker of specialty foods, plans to locate its U.S. headquarters in Lebanon, creating 300 new jobs. Congrats to our economic developer Dax Norton.

Southeast Renewable Energy has announced plans to build a facility in Dorchester County, South Carolina, creating 20 new jobs.

In Sauk Village, Illinois, Winpak Portion Packaging, Inc. will build a new facility and add 40 new jobs.

Tempur-Pedic, a manufacturer of sleep products, will expand its global headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, creating 65 new jobs.

In Marlboro County, South Carolina, ECAPS Corporation, a building materials maker, will locate a new operation and hire 150 people.

Capital Adhesives, Inc. has announced plans to expand its operation in Mooresville, Indiana, adding five new employees. Congrats to economic developers Joy McCarthy-Sessing and Jeff Pipkin.

In Burke County, North Carolina, furniture maker Geiger International plans to expand its manufacturing plant and add 26 new jobs.

We receive numerous announcements each week that announce that several jobs have been “retained or created.” While retention is important, we will not use announcements that fail to define exactly how many jobs were retained and how many were created. We want specifics.

If you have jobs announcements, please send them my way. jim@brandaccel.com