Rants from the Brand Coach

Good Economic News!

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

In Botetourt County, Virginia, Arkay Packaging Corporation, a maker of folding cartons, will expand its facility and create 25 new jobs.

In Gaston County, North Carolina, Daimler Trucks North America will sharply increase production at its facility in Mount Holly and hire 700 people. Congratulations to Brand Acceleration client Gaston County Economic Development Commission. Great job!

Frontier Communications, a telecommunications service provider, has announced plans to move its headquarters to Allen, Texas and create 300 new jobs.

In Mooresville, Indiana, Equipment Technologies, a farm equipment manufacturer, will expand and create 60 new jobs.

VCI-SC Inc. a metal working firm, has announced plans to open a new facility in Pickens County, South Carolina, creating 50 new jobs.

Motorola Solutions, a communications and software provider, plans to add 400 new jobs in Chicago, Illinois.

Emerson Ecologics, LLC, a provider of nutritional supplements, will open a distribution center in Chesterfield County, Virginia and create 60 new jobs.

In Columbus, Indiana, auto industry supplier, Cummins, Inc. plans to expand and add 600 new jobs.
LeCreuset, a maker of cookware, has announced plans to expand its facility in Hampton County, South Carolina, creating 25 new jobs.

Chrysler Group, LLC has announced plans to invest $114 million in equipment and hire 268 people at its plant in Trenton, Michigan.

RockTenn, a maker of corrugated and consumer packaging, plans to expand its operation in McDowell County, North Carolina and add 124 new jobs.

American College of Education has announced plans to move its main campus to Indianapolis, Indiana and hire 40 people.

Maramont Corporation, a food products company, plans to move 132 jobs to a facility in Pennsylvania.

In Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, startup firm Freedom Well Services, an oilfield-services provider, will open a new operation and create 50 new jobs.

Parts manufacturer NetShape Technologies has announced plans to consolidate operations in Campellsburg, Indiana, creating 63 new jobs.

In Hampton County, South Carolina, Elliott Sawmilling Company, Inc. plans to expand its operation and create 15 new jobs.

Architectural Components Group, Inc. a wood wall and ceiling manufacturer, has announced plans to expand its operation in Marshfield, Missouri, creating 70 new jobs.

In Bedford, Indiana, General Motors will expand its manufacturing operation and create 91 new jobs. Congratulations to Mayor Shawna Girgis.

In Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Elevating Boats LLC, plans to expand its operation and create 39 new jobs.

Presto Products Company, a maker of private label food and disposer bags, plans to expand its operation in Halifax County, Virginia and create 22 new jobs.

Sempra Energy will open a new solar power facility in Arizona, creating 300 construction jobs.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing has announced plans to return its Princeton, Indiana manufacturing plant to full production, adding 40 workers.

In Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Palram, a maker of thermoplastic sheets, plans to expand and hire 40 people.

In Ontario, Ohio, Calisolar, Inc. plans to open a solar silicon plant and create 1,100 new jobs.

Spartan Motors, Inc., a supplier to the auto/vehicle industry, will relocate its recreational vehicle chassis manufacturing operation to Wakarusa, Indiana and hire 60 people.

In Chesterfield, County, Virginia, Shoosmith Brothers landfill has announced plans for a new recycling center that will hire 30 people.

EU Manufacturing, a supplier of oilfield service equipment, plans to open a new manufacturing plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and create 150 new jobs.

In Elkhart, Indiana, Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc., a maker of aluminum extrusions, will open a manufacturing plant and hire 180 people.

TOTAL JOBS ANNOUNCEMENTS: 5,034

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

Brand Acceleration is a full-service advertising, brand management and public relations firm operating from Indianapolis, Indiana and Charlotte, North Carolina. The agency’s focus is on economic development, architecture/engineering/construction and real estate.