What Do You Do When Your Unemployment Rate is Very Low?

Workforce development may not be enough

By: Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

                    

It’s New Year ’s Day, and as I sit alone in the early morning darkness, I can’t help but think about my many blessings. I’m also reminded of our military personnel who are away from their families during the holidays. They risk everything and we have so much.

Our nation faces many challenges. Foes from faraway places would like nothing more than to see this great nation stumble and fall. Fortunately, the energy and resilience of the American people, with our many liberties, are more influential than any opponent. Through the rugged determination and down-right stubbornness of company leaders and workers across this great nation, our economy is once again rising and generating jobs and prosperity for our people.

Who would have thought, two years ago, that we would be facing a skilled workforce shortage in 2015? Some call it a crisis, but current and prospective employers are shifting their gaze more toward the availability of workforce than just about any location qualifier.

As the economic recovery gathers momentum, some communities face a new challenge, a serious shortage of the most demanded skills. Some argue that there may not really be a shortage, that the real barrier to a qualified workforce may be the willingness of employers to pay higher wages. That’s nothing new, though. Basic capitalistic principles dictate that supply and demand will force wage adjustments.

The threshold, it appears, is at the 5% unemployment rate. Considering the widely-held belief that 4% of the traditional workforce doesn’t want to work, the remaining 1% leaves many communities unable to meet basic employer needs. If your community unemployment rate is near 5%, you may be “at or near capacity.”

A race to educate

As I travel the country, meeting with economic developers, community leaders, and educators, I’ve seen a rapid expansion in workforce development and training programs. Beginning in middle schools and high schools, and continuing in higher education facilities, educators are racing to train welders, CNC operators, warehouse workers, healthcare professionals, and others. Sadly, a few schools are still focusing on low-demand skills that were taught in the past, doing a significant disservice to students and the community. The more successful community colleges and other higher education institutions are those focused on skills demanded by existing and targeted industries.

Workforce attraction may be required

There are times, amazingly, when communities must launch a strategic campaign to attract the skilled workers needed to meet employer needs. We’ve seen a huge jump in such requests at the Brand Acceleration offices. Our approach is to clearly identify needs, along with area growth trends, and then craft a campaign to locate and communicate with prospective employees and residents. Since this is an area where precious resources could be wasted, we often partner with professionals who are experts in workforce trends.

One challenge with a workforce attraction campaign is that it could create an air of desperation that could be off-putting to target audiences. Our message strategists manage the delicate balance between employment and lifestyle messaging, creating an attractive community buzz.

If your area unemployment rate is nearing 5%, then we should talk. It’s better to explore activities now than to wait for a crisis situation when you realize your community cannot meet the basic needs of attrition, an expansion, or attraction project.

Best wishes for an amazing 2015,

Jim Walton

CEO

Brand Acceleration, Inc.

Branding // Marketing Communications // Public Relations

Indianapolis, Indiana:

Office: 317.536.6255

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 website development firm with a focus on community and economic development.

Good Economic News

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

In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Hendrickson USA, a maker of auto components, will locate a plant and create 75 jobs.

In Boone County, Indiana, retailer Hat World will open a new headquarters and add 758 employees. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client Boone County Economic Development Corporation on a job well done.

In Greenville County, South Carolina, metal stamping company Stueken LLC will expand and create 27 jobs.

Tyco Fore Protection will expand and add 1,300 employees companywide.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation will expand in Brunswick, Georgia, creating 100 jobs.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, education non-profit Project Lead the Way, Inc. will expand and create 30 jobs.

In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, clinical trial provider Blue Bell will expand and hire 250 people.

In East Springdale, Arkansas, NanoMech, a provider of engineering materials will open a new operation and create 50 jobs.

PWC Accounting will expand and hire 14,000 people companywide.

In Kansas City, Missouri, Lead Bank will expand and hire 12 people.

In Tifton, Georgia, pillow maker American Textile Company will expand and double its workforce.

Ceramics maker CeramTec North America Corporation will expand in Laurens County, South Carolina, creating 40 jobs.

In Chicago, Illinois, EquiTrust Life Insurance Company will open a new office and add 200 employees.

Popcorn Sutton Distilling, LLC, a maker of distilled products, has opened a new facility in Cocke County, Tennessee, and will hire 36 people.

In Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, appliance maker Electrolux will expand its headquarters and hire 810 employees.

Electrical products distributor Graybar will expand and add 200 jobs.

In Anderson County, South Carolina, Baldor Electric Company, a maker of electric motors, will expand and create 45 jobs.

Retailer Nordstrom, Inc. will open a fulfillment center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, creating 369 jobs.

In Anderson County, South Carolina, packaging company packIQ will expand and hire 50 people.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, technology provider Comcast will build an innovation center and create 1,500 jobs.

Packaging maker InterFlex Acquisition Company LLC will expand in Wilkes County, North Carolina, adding 63 employees.

In Davenport, Iowa, aluminum products maker Alcoa will expand and hire 150 people.

Insurance provider WellPoint will expand and hire 500 people companywide.

Nut butter maker Nutkao USA, Inc. will open a new facility in Nash County, North Carolina, creating 56 jobs.

In Harriman, Tennessee, ArcelorMittal will reopen its facility and hire 61 people.

Food maker General Mills will expand in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and create 41 jobs.

Beretta USA, a maker of firearms, will open a facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, adding 300 jobs.

Tejas Tubular Products, a supplier to the oil and gas industry, will open a facility in Norfolk, Nebraska, and hire 200 people.

JP Morgan Chase, a financial services provider, will expand and create 4,000 jobs companywide.

Boot maker Lifestyle Footwear will expand in Moca, Puerto Rico, creating 182 jobs.

In Henderson County, North Carolina, packing maker ASG will expand and add 50 employees.

In Van Buren Charter Township, Michigan, pharmacy benefits manager MedImpact Healthcare Systems will open a new operation, adding 75 employees.

In Morristown, Tennessee, consumer products company Colgate-Palmolive will open a new plant and hire 75 people.

Intouch Solutions, a provider of services to the pharmaceutical industry, will relocate to Overland Park, Kansas, creating 350 jobs.

Standard Medical Acceptance Corporation, a medical financial services provider, will open a new facility in Chowan County, North Carolina, adding 32 employees.

Food processor Kellogg’s will expand and add 300 employees companywide.

In Pineville, Louisiana, electrical transmission provider Crest Industries will expand and create 90 jobs.

CHOMARAT North America, a maker of building products, will expand in Anderson County, South Carolina, creating 20 jobs.

Outdoor Merchandiser Cabela’s will open a distribution center in Tooele County, Utah, creating 250 jobs.

In Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, automation company Eclipse Automation, Inc. will expand and create 50 jobs.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Ford will expand its truck plant and create 350 jobs.

Gas valve maker Key Gas Components, Inc. will expand in McDowell County, North Carolina, adding 37 employees.

In Lynchburg, Virginia, thermoplastics composits maker Hanwha Azdell will expand and create 33 jobs.

In Davenport, Iowa, agricultural sprayer maker Hardi North America will expand and hire 24 people.

In Greenville, South Carolina, ChartSpan Medical Technologies, a healthcare data company, will open a new headquarters and add 30 employees.

In Erie County, Pennsylvania, food processor Maple Donuts, Inc. has expanded and will hire 60 people.

Total Quality Logistics, a transportation company, will open a new operation in Davidson County, Tennessee, creating 105 jobs.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, Personal Group, Inc. will expand and add 12 employees.

In Virginia, building products retailer Lumber Liquidator will expand and create 250 jobs.

Food Distributor Loffredo Gardens, Inc. will build a new facility in Des Moines, Iowa, creating 6 jobs.

Funai Electric Company Ltd. A maker of inkjet and microfluid products, will open a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, creating 50 jobs.

Plastic products maker Berry Plastics Corporation will expand and hire 336 people in Evansville, Princeton, and Richmond, Indiana.

In Dekalb County, Indiana, metal recycler MetalX, LLC will open a new plant and hire 80 people.

Alion Science and Technology, a provider to the space and defense industries, will open a new operation in Charleston, South Carolina.

In Monroe County, Indiana, AB Bio Technologies, Inc., a maker of products for the drug industry, will expand and add 10 employees.

Financial services provider Capital One will expand and add 2,000 employees companywide.

In Tampa, Florida, BioPharma provider Bristol-Myers Squibb will open a facility and add 579 employees.

In Stanly County, North Carolina, Fiberon, a maker of decking and fence products, will expand and add 25 jobs.

In Chambers County, Alabama, Knauf Insulation reopened its plant, which now employs 120 people.

In Bryan County, Georgia, arms maker Daniel Defense will expand and add 120 employees.

Robinson Laser, a maker of steel parts, will open in Pomona, Missouri, creating 30 jobs.

In Chicopee, Massachusetts, windor and door maker Menck USA, Inc. will open a new operation and hire 50 people.

In Memphis, Tennessee, Conduit Global will open a call center and hire 1,000 people.

In Monroe County, Indiana, TASUS, a maker of auto components, will expand and hire 5 people.

In Carter Lake, Iowa, fabricated steel supplier Owen Industries, Inc. will expand and add 16 employees.

Kilgour Industries, Ltd., a maker of aircraft components, will expand in Martinsville, Virginia, creating 155 jobs.

In Pulaski County, Virginia, firearms maker Alexander Industries will open a new operation and create 64 jobs.

Inventory closeout reseller Olie’s will open a distribution center in Jackson County, Georgia, creating 185 jobs.

In Austin, Texas, cloud service provider athenahealth, Inc. will expand and hire 607 people.

Energy efficiency company Ecosave will open a headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and hire 125 people.

In Horry County, South Carolina, brewing equipment maker Accent Stainless Steel will open a new headquarters and hire 65 people.

In Franklin County, Kentucky, Beam, Inc., a distributor of distilled products, will open a distribution center and hire 60 people.

Total Jobs Announcements: 33,166+

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

FaceBook

Google+

BrandCoach Blog

  

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

Community Branding Requires Strong Marketing & Supportive Leadership

Now’s the time to get started

At Brand Acceleration, we work with cities, towns, regions, and states nationwide, helping them develop strategies that grow awareness and drive economic activity. Often, the first challenge put to us is to “create a new brand,” however, brands are not “created,” they’re discovered. After some serious probing, we often find the same thing.

Your community might have the best connections, community college, sites and building inventory, and fishing in the nation, but if nobody knows about it, what difference will it make to future prosperity? As you might expect, I interview many community leaders and almost everyone believes his or her place has a strong brand. "We're an agriculture, manufacturing, military community." I hear it all. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, when we ask site selectors, c-suite executives, or real estate brokers what they believe, we often find that the community is virtually unknown. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes a clean slate is a great place to start. But it's important to get started.

You can have a great web site and a really creative logo, but if you do nothing to effectively plant your message in the minds of the most important prospects who can bring jobs and investment, your community may be like the tree falling in the forest. No one will know.

Being heard in a crowded space

The worldwide web is just that, worldwide. It's a huge place where unsupported web sites get lost. Like cyber-driftwood, they just float along hoping to bump into an unsuspecting soul who might be working on a jobs project. Many community economic development web sites are just like that, floating aimlessly....hoping....wishing....dreaming.

Making matters even worse is the fact that search engines are making it more difficult every day. Google, Bing, and Yahoo are ever-changing. Without warning, they make changes that make it more difficult to navigate their algorithms. In the last eighteen months, Google installed their Panda updates, dramatically increasing the need to actively participate in social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs. Then, almost immediately, they installed their Penguin update, punishing web site owners who intentionally stuffed key words into their sites, seeking an advantage. Just a few days ago, they added the Hummingbird update, recognizing searchers who use full sentences. For economic developers, Hummingbird could be a blessing or a curse, depending on how well they know their audiences search practices.

Failure to fund equals failure to thrive

I attend numerous economic development meetings and conferences where I hear economic developers talk of funding challenges. In addition to serving their primary role as marketer, they often spend much of their time doing fundraising, being seen at community events, serving on various boards, and kissing countless political backsides. Some estimate their effective economic development time at 15%. My challenge to elected officials and EDO board members to take over the fundraising role so your economic developer can dedicate all of his or her time doing the primary job of marketing and seeking jobs and investment.

Now what?

Assuming you have a great web site (And I do mean great. Good is no longer good enough.), what should you do next? In addition to your web site, which should be professionally produced and optimized for search engines, you must find powerful ways to grow awareness of your area, convincing key audiences to take a look. I like tactics that are strategic and measurable. After all, you might have to prove to your board that the money spent is working.

For Brand Acceleration clients, we've had great success with a well-thought-out mix of tactics such as e-mail marketing, online banner ads, videos, mission trips, direct mail, and even occasional print ads. There are no silver bullets, though. If you think you can market on the cheap, running a single ad, for example, you should keep your money. That kind of marketing never works. In order to successfully grow your community's brand and drive activity, you must consistently be in front of highly-defined prospects with an on-going effort. It takes at least three impressions just to stand a chance of being remembered.

Maybe your community has a strong reputation. Maybe it has no reputation beyond the county line. In either case, now is the time to get started with a strong promotional effort. If you're not telling your story, who will?

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

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Google+

YouTube

BrandCoach Blog

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

Good Economic News 9-14-2013

Good Economic News

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

Fraenkische Industrial Pipes has announced plans to expand in Anderson County, South Carolina, creating 50 jobs.

In Plano, Texas, insurance and banking company USAA will expand and create 680 jobs.

Kenall Manufacturing, a maker of lighting products, will open a new headquarters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, creating 350 jobs.

In Owingsville, Kentucky, food maker Custom Food Products will expand and hire 200 people.

Element Electronics, a maker of consumer electronics, will establish a new facility in Fairfield County, South Carolina, creating 500 jobs.

Acme United Corporation, a maker of cutting, measuring, and safety products, will expand in Rocky Mounty, North Carolina, adding 90 employees.

In Chicago, Illinois, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Company will open its new U.S. headquarters and hire 80 people.

Pizza franchise Toppers Pizza is adding sixteen stores and up to 480 employees.

Banking and financial services company UBS will establish a new operation in Nashville, Tennessee, creating 1,000 jobs.

GuideSoft, Inc., a professional services company, will expand its operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, adding 400 employees.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, appliance maker Whirlpool Corporation will expand and add 150 jobs.

Health services provider Specialty Health, Inc. will open its new headquarters in Carmel, Indiana, hiring 675 people.

U.S. Engineering, a mechanical contractor, will expand in Kansas City, Missouri, creating 85 jobs.

In Bartow, Georgia, carpet maker Shaw Industries Group, Inc. will open a new facility and create 500 jobs.

DUER High Performance Composites, a maker of composite components, has established a new facility in Beaufort County, South Carolina, creating 47 jobs.

In Geismar, Louisiana, BASF Geismar will expand its polyurethane blending plant and hire 22 people.

Aviation IT provider TravelSky Technology Limited will open a new R&D center in Duluth, Georgia, creating 50 jobs.

Workspace provider Regus plans to open multiple centers by the end of 2014, creating 1,500 employees.

Gruppo Campari will open a new Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, creating 62 jobs.

Associated Hardwoods, a lumber products company, will locate a new operation in Cherokee County, South Carolina, creating 28 jobs.

Retailer Gap, Inc. will expand in Sumner, Tennessee, adding 90 employees.

Cool Planet Energy Systems will build three new biomass-to-gasoline refineries in Louisiana, creating 72 jobs.

In Fort Smith, Arkansas, firearms parts maker Thermold Magazines will open a new headquarters, creating 65 jobs.

John Matouk & Company, a maker of linens, will expand in Fall River, Massachusetts, adding 45 employees.

In Brunswick County, North Carolina, motion control maker Lee Controls will open a new operation and hire 77 people.

In Charleston, South Carolina, Daimler Vans will expand and hire 60 employees.

Express Motor Vehicle Administration Corporation, a provider of services to auto dealers, will expand its operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating 20 jobs.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, airbag parts maker ARC Automotive will expand and hire 115 people.

In Beaufort County, North Carolina, store fixture maker idX Impressions will expand and add 159 jobs.

Food distributor Dot Foods will establish a new distribution center in Dyersburg, Tennessee and hire 157 people.

Stryker, a medical technology company, presently has over 300 job openings.

Domtar Corporation, a maker of pulp and paper products, will expand in Greenville, South Carolina, creating 35 jobs.

St. James lighting will expand in Columbia, Mississippi, creating 20 jobs.

In Orange County, North Carolina, confectionary maker Morinaga will open a new facility and hire 90 people.

Dow Chemical Company will expand in Brazoria County, Texas, creating 96 jobs.

In Detroit, Michigan, VernDale Products, Inc., a maker of powdered milk, will expand and add 13 employees.

In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, steel products maler Structures USA will establish a new headquarters and hire 50 people.

The Crown Group, a supplier of coating services, will open a new facility in Greenville County, South Carolina, creating 42 jobs.

Tubular goods maker PTC Seamless Tube Corporation will open a new facility and hire 283 people.

Bank holding company Capitol One will expand and add 175 employees in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In Robeson County, North Carolina, Stable Trading Company, a maker of rugs and woven products, will open a new facility and create 45 jobs.

Auto parts maker Calsonic Kansei North America will expand in Lewisburg, Shelbyville, and Smyrna, Tennessee, creating 1,200 jobs.

2AM Group, a supplier of logistics and manufacturing services, will open a new operation in Richland County, South Carolina, creating 100 jobs.

In Bland County, Virginia, W&B Fabricators, makers of mining equipment, will open a new operation and hire 50 people.

NOHMs Technologies, Inc., a maker of lithium-ion batteries, will open a new facility in Lexington, Kentucky, creating 162 jobs.

In Chicago, Illinois, GoHealth LLC, a health insurance exchange, will expand and hire 450 people.

In Lenoir County, North Carolina, building products maker Associated Materials, Inc. will expand and add 252 employees.

Employment Options, Inc. (MyEmploymentOptions.com) presently has 1,000 job openings listed.

Auto parts supplier Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems will open a new facility in Russell Springs, Kentucky, creating 155 jobs.

In Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Lesleh Precision, Inc., a machining company, will expand and add 29 employees.

Total Jobs Announcements: 12,356

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

FaceBook

Google+

BrandCoach Blog

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

 

 

 

 

 

Your Marketing Is Not About You

Always take the outsider’s position

For many years of my career, I was in the media business. Having run a newspaper and then a radio network, I was always struck by the number of advertisers who would run ads in media that THEY liked, rather than where the audience was. With no understanding of how to select and measure media, they often selected media based on their own preferences.  Like NPR? That's fine, but if you want to reach a mass market of 18-25-year-old soft drink consumers, that’s not the place to do it.

Similarly, the way ads are developed is directly related to the audience. Writing, photo selection, and copy are carefully crafted to resonate with the audience. Ads selling to 12-year-olds are dramatically different than those selling to retirees.

When developing marketing messages for communities, we also have to carefully consider the needs of the audiences. As much as we'd each like to think that our marketing efforts are all about how wonderful our place is, that's really not the case. The truth is that everything we do and say should be based on the needs and expectations of target audiences.

Inside-Out Marketing

A very common approach to place marketing is to gather the team together and ask this question, “What do we want to say?” At that point, the discussion may include topics such as workforce, available buildings, education, and quality of life. These are all great points. For a web site, the group may also want to point out that their county is ranked number three in the state for soybean production, or that the area was once a staging site for a famous civil war infantry. It may even be the birthplace of a famous poet. A few of these items are interesting but the real question that must be asked is “Will any of these be important to a site selector considering bringing a jobs project to the area?” The people on the inside (inside the community) may find these things important, but they may not be important to an economic development project.

Outside-In Marketing

From the outside, meaning outside the area or even outside the country, other factors may be more important. To a site selector in New York or a C-Suite Executive in Shanghai, the focus will likely be elsewhere.

Sure, sites and buildings, workforce, and education data will be important, but they need and expect very deep information about topics that will help them move their project forward and keep your community on the list. In response to that need for detailed data, Brand Acceleration developed the Economic Dashboard, a web site add-on tool that provides broad-based economic and workforce data, making it easy for a web visitor to find up-to-date information.

Through numerous surveys, interviews, and face-to-face conversations with key audiences, we’ve learned a lot about what these people want and don’t want to see. I’m talking about detailed information about everything from the photos they like to see to the words used in copy. Our findings are so deep that we not only know which web pages are most important, but we can accurately predict their page-to-page path once they visit a web site. Knowing this helps us develop a web site that meets visitor expectations.

What about Quality of Life?

I received a call one day from an EDO director who had just attended a meeting where a panelist suggested that he doesn’t care about an area’s quality of life. “Do we even need a Quality of Life page,” he asked? So, we launched an effort to dig into this topic. Out of a list of sixteen potential web site pages, Quality of Life was ranked number fifteen. However! This is big. When we dug deeper, we found that once a community makes it to short-list status, the QOL page becomes very important to the management team and trailing family considering relocating to your area. So, we dug even deeper to learn how the trailing spouse uses an EDO web site. Once a short-list is established, the trailing spouse will visit your web site and immediately begin forming opinions about your community. Photos of the shopping district without cars and shoppers, playgrounds and parks without playing children, or a high school football field showing no football game do more harm than good. If important information is missing, or if the photos are just plain ugly, he or she may kill the deal by saying, “I’m not going to live in that ugly place!” Boom, you’re off the list. Other community web sites, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Schools, and Visitor’s Bureau, can also make or break a deal.

What’s the point?

The point of all this is to say that everything you show, say, and do should be seen through the eyes of the audience. What do they want to see? What information do they need? Which wording helps? Which photos are best? During a site visit, who should attend? What role should each person play? What do visitors want to see and do?

As you move into the planning of your marketing and communications, always do so as if you were the audience, looking in. Say what they want you to say and show what they want to see.

Apple founder Steve Jobs once said "You‘ve got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology - not the other way around." I think he had it right.

Want to share a story? 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

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Google+

YouTube

BrandCoach Blog

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

 

Good News 8-27-13

Good Economic News

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

Auger Torque USA, LLC, a maker of earthmoving attachments, will open a facility in Huntington, Indiana, creating 22 jobs.

In Franklin, Kentucky, auto parts supplier Mitsui Kinzoku Catalysts America, will open a new operation and create 50 jobs.

In Pulaski County, Indiana, wheelchair vehicle maker Braun Corporation will expand and add 70 jobs. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client, economic developer Nathan Origer. Great job, Nathan!

The Miller Group, an insurance and employee benefit firm, will move to Overland Park, Kansas and hire 80 people.

In Bartholomew County, Indiana, engine maker Cummins will expand and add 500 workers.

In Russell County, Virginia, metals processor and distributor Steel Fab will open a production facility and create 240 jobs.

Union Pacific Railroad, founded in 1862 by Abraham Lincoln, will hire 4,000 people this year.

Grocery retailer Meijer Stores LP will expand and hire 1,800 workers.

Welding company WFSI will expand its operation in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, creating 32 jobs.

In Temperance, Michigan, tooling and stamping company Unique Tool & Manufacturing Company, Inc. will expand and add 62 employees.

Abadak, Inc., a supplier of tarps and canopy tents, will open a new facility in Weir, Texas, creating 30 jobs.

In Lynchburg, Tennessee, whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s will expand and add 90 employees.

In Detroit, Michigan, NewGAR, LLC will open a new office and restaurant space, creating 96 jobs.

Winona Powder Coatings, Inc. will expand its operation in Koskiusko County, Indiana, creating 25 jobs.

Heiche US Surface Technology, a provider of surface treatments, will locate a new facility in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, adding 38 employees.

In Louisiana, Cornerstone Chemical Company and Incitec Pivot will build a new ammonia plant and hire 65 people.

Shirt printer Raymond’s Print Shop, Inc. will launch an operation in Lawrence, Indiana, creating 100 jobs.

In Southampton County, Virginia, peanut roaster Hampton Farms will establish a peanut butter production plant and hire 60 people.

US Cold Storage will establish a cold storage facility in Lake City, Florida, creating 15 jobs.

In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Edgewater Automation, a maker of custom machines, will open a new operation and hire 53 people.

In Garden City, Kansas, steel and fiberglass tank maker Palmer Manufacturing and Tank will expand and hire 100 people.

TRW Automotive has 109 positions available in South Michigan.

Transport Logistics International, a transportation services provider, will open a new facility in Ballard County, Kentucky, adding 20 employees.

Harrison Electric, Inc., a provider of electric motor repair services, will expand its operation in Michigan City, Indiana, creating 14 jobs.

In Belle Fourche, South Dakota, Permian Tank & Manufacturing, Inc., a maker of steel tanks, will expand and create 65 jobs.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, Language Training Center will expand and create 26 jobs.

In Rockingham County, North Carolina, firearms maker Sturm, Ruger & Company will establish a new facility and create 450 jobs.

In Waco, Texas, aircraft service provider Max Flight Advantages, LLC will open a new operation and employee 80 workers.

Coyote Logistics will open a new facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, creating 125 jobs.

Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway Company will establish a new operation in Montgomery County, North Carolina, creating 25 jobs.

IBEMC, a management consulting firm, will hire 300 people by year end.
Video game distributor Solutions 2 Go, LLC will open a new facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, hiring 40 people.
Fritz Industries, a maker of drilling products, will create a new facility in Greenville, Texas and create 250 jobs.

Silcotech North America, Inc., a maker of silicone components, will locate a new facility in York County, South Carolina, hiring 50 people.

Trident Seafoods, a seafood harvesting and processing company, will open a new facility in Carroll County, Georgia, creating 175 jobs.

In Johnson County, Kansas, Unilever will expand and add 100 employees.

Handbag maker Vera Bradley, Inc. will expand in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, creating 128 jobs.

In Arkadelphia, Arkansas, poultry processor Vikon Farms will locate a new facility and hire 172 people.

Kayser Automotive Systems USA, a maker of modules and systems for the auto industry, will open a new operation in Fulton, Kentucky, adding 121 employees.

In Syracuse, New York, Medicine Answering Services will expand and add 80 employees.

In Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, pharmaceutical distributor Americur Rx will establish a new operation and hire 51 people.

In Maryville, Tennessee, Surface Igniter, LLC will open a new headquarters, creating 108 jobs.

Great Clips hair salons presently has 6,500 openings shown on its web site.

Kraft Foods Group will expand its operation in Granite City, Illinois, creating 30 jobs.

In Pulaski, Virginia, Falls Stamping and Welding Company will open a new facility and hire 112 people.

In Detroit, Michigan, human tissue provider Asterand US Acquisitions, Inc. will expand and add 25 employees.

Appalachian Railcar Services, Inc., a railcar repair and maintenance company, will open a new operation in Benton County, Indiana, creating 22 jobs. Congrats to Brand Acceleration client, economic developer Kelly Kepner. Great job, Kelly!

Total Jobs Announcements: 16,706

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

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