By Dominique Cantelme
From the March/April 2013 issue

New York State’s 54,556 square mile geography is divided into 10 economic regions (according to Empire State Development)—Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Mid-Hudson, Capital District, New York City and Long Island. They encompass landscapes that range from farms, forests, rivers and lakes to mountains, towns and urban cities and a transportation infrastructure with airports, highways, waterways, subways, bridges and tunnels to help move its more than 19 million residents where they need to go.

Western New York provides both city and suburban living. Coverage of its 4,974 square miles is aided by I-90, I-86 and Route 219; Buffalo-Niagara International Airport; the Port of Buffalo; and four class I railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific). The region’s economy is particularly focused on manufacturing; it is home to a number of colleges, universities and professional schools such as SUNY College at Fredonia, University of Buffalo and Cornell University School of Industrial & Labor Relations; and offers attractions such as Allegany State Park and Ralph Wilson Stadium (NFL’s Buffalo Bills).

One of the largest tourism regions in the state, the Finger Lakes is located in the west-central section of Upstate New York and encompasses a pattern of 11 parallel lakes that include Cayuga, Owasco, Hemlock and Seneca.

Its nine counties (e.g., Genesee, Livingston, Ontario) provide scenery, history, farmlands, and museums over almost 5,000 square miles. The region is within a day’s travel of 10 of the largest cities in North America and navigated by I-90, I-390, the Greater Rochester International Airport and the Norfolk Southern Finger Lakes Railway.

The Southern Tier Region is located on the Pennsylvanian border of New York. Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins counties boast natural resources, agriculture and an educated workforce with universities that include Binghamton and Cornell and market access provided by I-81, I-86, I-88, and Route 17; three regional airports; rail service; and bus service by Greyhound, Short Line and Capitol Trailways.

The North Country is a seven county rural region that spans from the eastern shores of Lake Ontario to the western shores of Lake Champlain and houses Adirondack Park and Fort Drum. With 11,913.57 square miles, it is the largest of the regions in land area and the smallest in population. Access is provided by I-87, I-81 and Highway 401 as well as passenger air, commercial and passenger rail and port service.

The Mohawk Valley is located at the geographic center of Upstate New York and links all the major metropolitan areas together. Its 5,296.57 square miles spans six counties with numerous academic and research institutions, a highly skilled workforce and concentrations in manufacturing and IT. I-90, NYS Rt. 12 N S, I-81, I-87 and I-88 provide highway access while air service is available at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park and rail, bus and port service is available through a number of carriers and facilities.

The Mid-Hudson Region is located north of New York City and south of Albany along the Hudson River, and includes seven counties (e.g., Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland and Westchester). The 4,739.36 square miles is a mix of urban areas, waterfront cities, rural villages, farmlands and forests in the epicenter of the Boston-Washington Corridor. The region’s educated workforce, proximity to marketplace and access to water help make it a good place to do business with highways I-84, I-87, NY-17 and I-86; Stewart International Airport; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak, CSX and Norfolk Southern rail service; and bus and port service providing transportation options.

In the eastern part of mid-New York is the Capital Region which covers 5,199 square miles and is comprised of eight counties (e.g., Albany, Columbia, Saratoga and Schenectady). It is home to the Center for Excellence in Nanoelectronics at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech and the Center for Integrated Electronics at Rensselaer as well as Skidmore College and a number of other academic institutions. The region’s transportation network consists of the New York State Thruway, I-87 and I-88; the Albany International Airport; Albany Port Railroad Corp., Amtrak, CSX and CP rail systems; and the port of Albany Rensselaer and the New York State Canal System.

The 303.32 square miles of New York City is composed of five boroughs (Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island) with more than 40 percent of the State’s population. Its more than 8,336,697 residents also make it the most populous city in the U.S. A tourist attraction in itself, NYC also includes major destinations such as the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Broadway and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and it is described as the cultural capital of the world. New York City also is the largest media market in North America and a center for the television, film, advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries as well as a global hub of international business and commerce.

Long Island is located at the southern tip of New York State, just east of New York City. Its 1,202.96 square miles is surrounded by Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The region is comprised of Nassau and Suffolk counties and is known for its high quality of life as well as its geographical and industrial diversity. The Long Island Region is a magnet for commerce and industry and a world leader in technology development. Its close proximity to New York City and its access to national and international markets also make it ideal for service and manufacturing industries.

New York is home to some of the most diverse regions in the country with various people, landscapes, attractions, population sizes, land masses, and businesses. The one consistent is its propensity for economic opportunity. Banking, finance, communication, high technology, retail, manufacturing and agriculture are just some of the many industries prevalent in the Empire State. Its pro-business, pro-growth philosophy offers companies job-creating tax cuts, R&D incentives and a number of other business and financial resources along with a diverse and skilled workforce. New York provides a high quality of life for its people and offers access to various educational institutions that include public and private universities, technology colleges and graduate and professional schools for any desired trade or profession. Whether traveling by car, train, bus, boat or plane, New York can get you there.

Read on to find locations that can help your business succeed with a little bit of New York flair.

Oswego County: Active In Economic Development

Manufacturing is a strong, healthy and growing sector in Central New York’s Oswego County. Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC) and their partners, the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (COIDA), City of Oswego Community Development Office (CDO) and the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) have been very active in helping to finance manufacturing as well as commercial projects in Oswego County during 2012.

Some of these economic development projects which clearly demonstrate the diversity of business types that are being assisted in Oswego County by OOC, COIDA, CDO and ESDC include:

• Fulton Thermal Corporation, a global manufacturer of steam and hydronic boilers and thermal fluid heaters, constructed a 112,000-square-foot addition to their existing manufacturing and corporate headquarters in the Town of Richland. The new facility houses an 82,000-square-foot manufacturing building, a 10,000-square-foot research and development center and a 20,000-square-foot corporate office center. Primary funding assistance was provided by a $10 million tax-exempt bond issuance by the COIDA in cooperation with M&T Bank. The facility expansion was partly funded by an ESDC $1.5 million grant from the New York Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund. The $13.5 million project created 50 jobs.
• Stevedore Lofts, in the City of Oswego, was a waterfront renovation of a 42,000-square-foot warehousing facility into residential and commercial property. The property overlooks the Oswego River and is just a few blocks from downtown Oswego and Lake Ontario. The

$6.5 million project received funding assistance from the COIDA, the Oswego CDO and an ESDC Restore NY grant. The project created 15 jobs and added 29 market-rate apartments.

• The $6.9 million Seaway Lofts project in the City of Oswego received $1.5 million in funding from the New York State Housing Trust Fund/HOME and federal low income housing tax programs. In addition to state funds, financing from the city of Oswego Community Development Office, the County of Oswego Industrial Development Office and the Federal Home Loan Bank will be used to convert the 28,000-square-foot vacant building into affordable housing apartments. The project encompasses rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former Seaway Supply building into affordable workforce housing and will capture the historical features of the building while focusing on the use of energy-efficient construction techniques. It is being designed to contribute to the overall community vision for the neighborhood, including affordability and access for tenants with disabilities. Seaway Lofts is located directly across from the Varick Lock and Oswego River. The building was built in 1888, served as the home of the Brosemer Brewery and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project will create 26 affordable-housing apartments and two jobs.
• Novelis, in the Town of Scriba, is constructing a $208 million, 180,000-square-foot expansion which adds two new high performance aluminum finishing lines for automotive industry products. These two new lines are expected to produce an additional 440 pounds of aluminum sheet per year. The project has created more than 100 new jobs and retained 651 jobs. Financing was assisted through a $5 million Empire State Development Corporation grant and funding through the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency.
  

  United Wire Technologies in Constantia.

• Design Concepts and Enterprises, LLC, manufacturer of medical surgical sutures and suture attaching equipment, constructed a 1,634-square-foot clean room. Located in the Town of Hastings, Design Concepts sells their products in the U.S. and abroad. The $650,000 project retained six jobs and created 13 new jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the COIDA.
• After a fire destroyed their facility in the Village of Cleveland, United Wire Technologies renovated a vacant 14,000-square-foot building in the Town of Constantia. Relocating afforded them the opportunity to update and expand their facility. There is additional land adjacent to the facility onto which the company could expand further. United Wire manufactures specialty wire. The $1.4 million project retained eight jobs and will create six new jobs. Funding assistance was provided by the COIDA.

These projects represent a total investment of approximately $237 million and will create/retain 851 jobs in Oswego County. Numerous other projects are in the works and Operation Oswego County is actively engaged in assisting several manufacturing projects that are evaluating opportunities to expand in Oswego County and/or locate operations there. For more information visit www.oswegocounty.org.

Town Of Islip: A Community Of Opportunity

The Town of Islip has long been known as a leader of economic development in New York. Islip boasts the largest industrial corridor in the region, major infrastructure advantages over surrounding areas and an Industrial Development Agency (IDA) that has won renown for its continuous ability to attract new businesses. Though Islip faces many of the same challenges as other municipalities during these harsh economic times, the Town is uniquely suited for economic growth and expansion.

One of the prime reasons for Islip’s attractiveness to local, national and international businesses is the proximity these businesses have to Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA), which the Federal Aviation Administration has defined as being on-par with LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports. Having a nationally recognized airport within Islip Town helps local companies conduct their business more effectively and efficiently. Just as MacArthur Airport helps local businesses expand, the airport itself is working to grow its presence to handle the economic demands of the future. Progress has already been made to increase the flow of business through the airport and is seen in U.S. Airway’s decision to offer daily flights to-and-from Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.

Just next door to Long Island MacArthur Airport is Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #52. FTZ #52 was created to help businesses with an international scope grow and thrive in Islip. These companies can utilize the FTZ’s singular economic status to avoid costs associated with importing and exporting goods with other countries. The FTZ sits at the intersection of a crucial transportation hub that features railways, highways and a commercial airport.

The Town of Islip has a proud tradition of business success, across a variety of industries. But special mention must be made toward three critical industries that have thrived within the town: technology, food distribution and pharmaceuticals. Many technology companies, spanning sectors from aerospace to telecommunications, have found a home in Islip. CMG Wireless, a company that produces goods for the telecommunications market, rapidly has expanded their operations to cope with the increase in demand for wireless technology. They have remained in Islip largely because the IDA was able to help them adapt and expand their facilities to ensure that business was uninterrupted. CPI Aero, a company that manufactures aircraft components, primarily for the U.S. military, was recently able to expand their operations to a new facility, and did so with the help of the Islip IDA.

Another recent success story has been the construction of a 420,000-square-foot facility to be operated by Sysco Inc., a food distribution company. Throughout the entire construction process, from planning, to building, to staffing, Sysco and the Town of Islip have worked together to address the needs of both the company and the community. The facility has been fully operational since the summer of 2012, and the demands of the facility already have created over 250 jobs with more to come. Throughout the entire recruitment process, SYSCO has placed a special focus on hiring from within the area. The distribution center boasts features such as a state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel station to power all of the forklifts in the facility. This project has been a model for how local governments, civic groups and businesses can work together and be proud of the finished product, which will keep all parties satisfied for years to come.

And most recently in 2012, Islip welcomed Ascent Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturer whose operations involve research, development and the manufacture, warehousing and distribution of generic prescription medicines in a wide range of therapeutic areas. With the assistance of the Islip IDA, the company, owned by InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, purchased and renovated an existing 250,000-square-foot facility for $20 million and they expect to invest another $19 million in additional equipment and research. In return for financial assistance, Ascent has pledged to hire 100 new employees immediately, another 150 in the following three years and projects to employ a total of 350 when fully operational within five years. The story of Ascent

Pharmaceuticals is another example of how a company can grow and thrive in Islip, a community that understands the dedication and commitment necessary for projects like this to come to fruition.

Through all of these developments, the Islip IDA has continuously demonstrated its ability to work with businesses to build partnerships between government, businesses and residents. As a result of its many accomplishments, the Islip IDA was named the 2011 Suffolk County IDA of the Year by the editorial staff of the Long Island Business News. Islip Town will always be committed to exploring new ways to bring jobs and opportunities to Islip, without losing their identity as a community.

For information on how your business can grow in Islip, please visit www.islipida.com.

Buffalo Niagara: Four Billion Reasons To Relocate

Between yesterday, today and what will come tomorrow, there will be $4 billion in recent, current and planned development in Buffalo, New York. These investments reflect a new spirit of collaboration through public and private partnerships that focus on creativity, flexibility and a shared vision with strategic and attainable goals for business and community development.

In the last decade the city of Buffalo experienced more than $1.5 billion in new investment. The vision of a new Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) focused on bioinformatics, life sciences, emerging technologies, clinical care, entrepreneurship and research has spurred critical growth. As a result, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary facilities like the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute; the one of a kind shared facility that boasts Kaleida Health Gates Vascular Institute, the University at Buffalo’s Clinical and Translational Research Center and the independent Jacobs Institute; and Roswell Park Cancer Institute are having a tremendous impact on the city’s economy, with more than 5,000 jobs created or relocated to this innovation hub since 2003, and another 5,000 expected in the next five years.

Today, another $1.5 billion in projects are underway on the BNMC, the central business district and Buffalo’s waterfront. These include critical components like the University at Buffalo relocating its highly ranked medical school to the BNMC. Also on the site, the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital has just broken ground. To support these facilities, new medical offices and other operations are growing around the campus footprint, providing essential services and business infill.

And the region’s rebirth isn’t limited to the life sciences industry. New projects also include the evolution of the region’s manufacturing base from its steel roots to clean technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Along with the remarkable investment in industry has been the tangential redevelopment of dozens of historically significant and architecturally outstanding buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright, H.H. Richardson, Louis Sullivan and Louise Blanchard Bethune, to name a few. Long overlooked and underused, today these gems are being revitalized as high-end luxury condominiums, affordable and attractive student housing, Class A office space, hotels, legal and financial services offices, high-tech incubators and shared workspace setups, restaurants, retail and more. A redevelopment strategy supporting public-private investment is being led by the Buffalo Building Reuse Plan and implemented by the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation.

Businesses opening in or relocating to Buffalo are consistently impressed by the trained and educated workforce they find. The region also offers reasonable business development costs and easy access to major markets like New York, Chicago, Boston and Toronto without the hassles or high costs of locating in major metropolitan areas. And once in Buffalo, people are amazed to discover Buffalo’s affordable housing, temperate climate and outstanding quality of life.

In the last decade, brownfield redevelopment and innovative reuse projects have resulted in renewed access to the waterfront, including Canalside—a waterfront park and public space at the original terminus of the Erie Canal. Here, hundreds of thousands of people gather throughout the year to enjoy concerts, festivals, boating, museums, shops and restaurants—and all within the first five years of Canalside’s groundbreaking.

Inspired by the activity at Canalside and the passion of Western New York sports fans, the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres are building a $172 million, best-in-class facility to showcase both minor league and amateur hockey events right next to the Sabres’ home at First Niagara Center.

And there are meaningful investments in Buffalo’s arts, cultural and educational institutions, too. Within the last five to seven years, residents and visitors have been able to enjoy the revitalization of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system, the opening of the Burchfield Penney Art Center (the first new museum in the city in more than 100 years), and the reconstruction of the entire Buffalo Public Schools system. In addition, several other cultural venues, including the world-renowned Albright Knox Art Gallery and Explore and More Children’s Museum, are building, expanding or renovating.

In 2012, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged $1 billion in state funding to support investment in key industries in Buffalo Niagara to leverage an additional $5 billion in private investment. To achieve this goal, Buffalo’s business executives, government officials and community leaders are working together to implement a strategic and focused plan to invest in life sciences and health care, education, culture and tourism, and high-tech manufacturing. This state-level investment means that new and relocating businesses will get the support they need for their companies to take root and grow. And, thanks to Buffalo Niagara’s geography—within the largest freshwater basin in the world and surrounded by two Great Lakes and the mighty Niagara River—the region is uniquely positioned to support forward-looking energy production, like wind and solar energy, and to supply inexpensive hydroelectric power to new and expanding manufacturers in Buffalo Niagara.

Buffalo is a decidedly different place than it has been for the last 50 years—and there are more than four billion reasons why. For more information visit Buffalo Niagara Enterprise at www.buffaloniagara.org or call 800-916-9073.

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Kansas offers a diverse economy perfect for your business. Building from an agribusiness base, the state today is thriving and competitive in manufacturing, professional services and wholesale and retail trades. International companies like Mars, Caterpillar, AMC Theatres, Cerner, Teva, Rubbermaid, Spirit Aerosystems and Cargill all have a Kansas address because they saw the advantages:

• Competitive financial incentives
• Low operating costs and low cost of living
• Business-friendly policies
• Leaders who know business
• Highly skilled and educated workforce
• Excellent transportation corridors

Strengthened efforts to grow business in Kansas are paying off, and we’re seeing a surge in key industries, such as Alternative Energy, Distribution, Bioscience and Advanced Manufacturing. Our state’s leadership is innovative and forward thinking, continuing to approve new programs to help promote our state for existing as well as targeted new industries.

The Business Recruitment Team for the Kansas Department of Commerce can assist you with various site location needs. Whether you’re seeking buildings or sites, our team has the resources and information to help you make an informed decision. Our Business Recruitment Team creates customized incentive proposals for clients based on capital investment, job creation, employee salaries and each company’s unique needs. We also coordinate with community economic development professionals for local incentives such as discounted building and land purchases, reduced property taxes, build-to-suit agreements and finance packages. All types of assistance offered for new company locations are also available for subsequent expansions.

Effective Tax Year 2013, certain Kansas businesses will enjoy significant tax relief. Kansas passed a business income tax exemption which eliminates certain non-wage business income on lines 12, 17 and 18 of IRS Form 1040 for Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Limited Liability Partnerships, Sole Proprietorships and Subchapter-S Corporations that have elected at the federal level to be taxed as a pass-through entity.

Take a look at Kansas. You’ll like what you see.

SUNFLOWER COMMERCE PARK OPENS IN WICHITA, KS

Groundbreaking at the 800-acre Sunflower Commerce Park

Bel Aire city leaders and partners are moving full speed ahead on Phase 1 of Sunflower Commerce Park. The city is developing the first 155 acres of the 800-acre industrial park as “shovel-ready” for companies to begin building.

The first tenant, Century Manufacturing, purchased three acres in July and is building a 36,000 square-foot building to house its growing manufacturing, warehousing and office space needs. According to Jim Laubach of Century Manufacturing, the new building is expected to open in January.

“This is a great day for Bel Aire, and we are excited to be moving forward with shovel-ready land in our community and in Sedgwick County,” said Mayor Harold Smith. “We know how important speed is to companies in today’s competitive world, and we are ready to meet their needs. Bel Aire is open for business.”

The first phase of the Sunflower Commerce Park is platted with 3 to 15 acre lots, which can be combined to make larger tracts. The entire 800 acres is designed for a variety of sizes with the potential for a 100-acre lot, if needed. Running through the tract is a Union Pacific industrial line which is ready for more use. Bel Aire is currently designing a rail siding on the north side with a spur possible on the south side.

Bel Aire worked with Law Kingdon, TranSystems and Schwab Eaton on master planning, various studies and infrastructure planning required, including engineering, soil survey, geotechnical assessment report, the first phase environmental assessment and more. Utilities, including power electrical and gas lines plus water and sewer lines, will be in place ready to connect with tenants.

Sedgwick County has partnered to pave 45th and 53rd streets to the site.

“Sedgwick County provides infrastructure throughout the County, and we are pleased to work closely with Bel Aire on this particular project,” said Sedgwick County Commissioner Dave Unruh, “Bel Aire has expanded the usability of this great property and planned for a business-friendly community. They are laying the groundwork for economic growth which in turn improves the County’s economy.”

Located between Webb and Greenwich roads and 53rd and 45th streets, Sunflower Commerce Park has transportation access that many companies desire, including connections to U.S. Highway 254 and Kansas Highway 96 and close to interstates 35, 135 and 235 interchanges.

The site is also adjacent to the Jabara Airport campus.

“There are so many selling points, including the proximity to the National Institute of Aviation Research and the National Center for Aviation Training,” Mayor Smith said. “We look forward to working with companies to meet businesses’ needs.”

As the first tenant, Century Manufacturing employs about 30 people, and the company anticipates growing to 50 in two years.

Over the past eight years, Bel Aire invested $12 million in infrastructure and land in Sunflower Commerce Park. Bel Aire is selling the land at $25,000 an acre, plus special assessments.

Downtown Topeka

EXPECT THE BEST FROM TOPEKA

Do you think your company’s expectations are too high? Do you have questions about how to make your company’s plans for relocation or expansion work? Well, in Topeka and Shawnee County we pride ourselves on answering, “We Can Do That!”

Topeka and Shawnee County offers a wealth of resources and assets to our existing companies and companies looking to relocate or expand. Whether it’s through a pipeline of highly educated workers or energy costs 18 percent lower than the national average, our community has something for every company.

To get you started, we have:

• Over 1,500 available acres fully equipped for your business, including two commerce parks with prime locations near rail and highway transportation and direct access to two runways.
• Foreign Trade Zones that are “user friendly” site-specific and allocated on an individual company basis.
• Aggressive local incentives, based on the quality of jobs, and state incentives, including income tax credits.
• A tax program that exempts all machinery and equipment from personal property taxes.
• A Community Improvement District program to reinvigorate old commercial/residential areas and retain business investment and job growth tax incentives for Kansas businesses.
• A ten-year property tax exemption on real property for qualified companies.
• Infrastructure that allows for goods shipped by truck to reach 25 percent of the U.S. in one day and 90 percent by two.

Shovel-ready land next to some great neighbors is waiting for the next company that is looking to grow. If sustainable business practice is part of your corporate philosophy, you’ll appreciate the green initiatives at the new 1,000-acre Kanza Fire Commerce Park. Developed by Topeka and Shawnee County, this progressive commerce park focuses on sustainable design in the ideal logistical hub. Already home to Mars Chocolate North America, Kanza Fire offers mixed-use land parcels ideal for manufacturing and distribution. And with complete infrastructure installed, your business can be up and running quickly.

Not only is land available and ready to develop, we work with local officials to make sure companies can transition quickly and smoothly into their new homes. But we don’t stop once you’re settled in. We have programs in place to help businesses continue to grow, with incentives for expansion and dedicated people working to ensure Topeka and Shawnee County remains one of the most business-friendly environments in the nation.

With unparalleled educational opportunities nearby and a thriving business community, Topeka offers exceptional human capital. The adults in Topeka and Shawnee County have done their homework; 36.6 percent of adults in the area hold a Bachelor’s degree compared to 24.4 percent nationally. The four universities within a 60-mile radius have a combined enrollment of 63,000 and over 13,500 graduates per year. State tax incentives also help with continuing education and workforce training.

While other communities stumbled, Topeka and Shawnee County announced new projects involving over 3,400 new and retained jobs and $718 million in capital investments since 2009.

The diverse set of industries in Topeka and Shawnee County has helped the economy in the area stay fairly well insulated during the recent economic downturn. With large company headquarters and small start-ups, there has been steady growth, especially in the manufacturing industry. Here’s how you get more bang for your buck:

• Our cost of doing business is 15 percent lower than the national average.
• Our cost of living consistently ranks 8 percent to 10 percent lower than the national average.
• State and local taxes are 11 percent lower than the national average.
• Energy costs are 18 percent lower than the national average.

These factors were some of the reasons we were able to attract large companies like Target, Home Depot and Mars Chocolate North America. We also continue to be home to other large companies like Frito-Lay, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Del Monte, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and many others. Having these corporate citizens as a part of the Topeka and Shawnee Count community has helped provide a stable quality of life throughout the Topeka and Shawnee County area.

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The nation’s largest state has been painfully taking its fiscal medicine in huge dollops during the past four years, in the form of deep budget cuts and huge tax increases. Last year, a State Budget Crisis Task Force headed by former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker estimated California’s long-term debt at a staggering $370 billion. After swallowing that gloomy news, Californians trudged to the polls in November and approved a referendum increasing their state income taxes by a whopping $6 billion a year.

All of that may be about to change, seismically, for the better. The key to that positive change resides in the same place in California it did in North Dakota—buried more than a mile underground in the middle of a huge shale deposit.

Source: Energy Information Administration based on data from various studies. Updated May 9, 2001.

According to Mike Mills, a physicist and a Manhattan Institute senior fellow, California has “Saudi Arabia-scale” oil resources, primarily in its largely untapped Monterey shale field, which stretches northeast for more than 200 miles from Bakersfield in central California. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that the Monterey shale field alone holds 15.4 billion barrels of oil, rivaling America’s total conventional reserves.

In a recent Op-Ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, Mills cited a University of Wyoming study estimating that California collects about $15 billion in tax revenues for every billion barrels of state oil production. If that’s accurate, Mills said, “then simply by opening up Monterey oil development—no incentives, grants or state funds required—tax receipts could total $250 billion over the coming two decades.”

Thus far, California hasn’t dived head-first into an embrace of fracking. Other states with large shale deposits—including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Louisiana—are moving full speed ahead with large-scale fracking operations. Environmental concerns about the potential for ground-water contamination from fracking have kept California and New York on the sidelines.

But the vast economic growth potential contained in their shale deposits may prove impossible to resist, and a change in attitude about tapping into them appears to be taking shape in California.

According to reports, a battle for mineral rights is now underway in the scenic vineyards of Hames Valley near Bradley, CA.

The federal Bureau of Land Management, which has subsurface mineral rights for much of the Monterey shale field, in December sold about 15 leases for thousands of acres of potential shale development in California. Last year, CA Gov. Jerry Brown fired the two state regulators who had overseen a 70 percent decline in state drilling permits since 2008, a notable turnaround for a state leader who in his first stint as governor in the 1970s pioneered many of California’s landmark environmental protection statutes.

And further advances in drilling technology itself soon may overcome the concerns about fracking, experts say. “Water-free hydrofracking” may be on its way. So perhaps there’s a high probability we may soon be hearing the same rallying cry out West that echoed across California in 1849: “There’s gold in them thar hills!”

SMUD: ENERGY INNOVATORS

With so many states trying to lure businesses to their cities, why have such pioneering companies as Intel, Siemens Mobility, Micron and SynapSense chosen to call Sacramento, California home?

Sacramento has a prime central location near the San Francisco Bay Area and key distribution channels via an international airport, deep-water channel seaport, and rail and interstate freeway systems. The region boasts one of California’s largest enterprise zones, offering incentives for companies to locate and expand within the greater Sacramento area. But perhaps most enticing is Sacramento’s commitment to becoming a green city; currently boasting the second largest number of buildings in the U.S. that are LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Since its inception in 1946, the community-owned Sacramento Municipal Utility District—known locally as SMUD—has had as its core values a commitment to innovation, conservation, creativity and service. SMUD leads the nation in its renewable energy policies and energy  efficiency programs. Its wind, hydro, solar and advanced R&D projects have contributed to SMUD’s standing as the first large California utility to receive 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources.

SMUD is a major force in helping Sacramento develop into a leading clean tech/green tech industry center. As the region’s trusted energy partner, it works closely with its customers to increase energy performance and decrease monthly expenses. SMUD’s collaboration with the private sector is evident in the groundbreaking programs it has developed to help Sacramento companies incorporate energy-efficiency measures throughout their organizations, from design and construction phases to retrofit.

One company that can attest to this collaborative spirit at SMUD is Micron, which acquired a local company, Numonyx, in 2010 and then launched its North American headquarters in Folsom, California, part of SMUD’s service territory. Since data centers can require up to 50 times more power than office space, SMUD’s team worked closely with Micron to optimize energy efficiency in its new 44,000 square- foot facility, resulting in a 15 percent energy consumption reduction and a $150,000 incentive. Micron’s investment payback is estimated at less than two years, with approximately $120,000 ongoing annual savings in electricity.

Aerojet, a major space and defense contractor also based in Folsom, has a corporate mandate for sustainability in all areas of its organization. Aerojet partnered with SMUD to install PV panels covering more than 40 acres of its property and generating 6.5 gigawatt hours of electricity a year. The solar panels are mounted on a north-south axis that rotates to track the sun for maximum generation. At the time, this solar installation was the largest single-site industrial project in California and one of the largest in the country.

Another company, Advanced Call Center Technologies, LLC (ACT), recently decided to locate a second local operation in Sacramento. At full build-out, this expansion may bring up to 2,000 direct new jobs to the region. ACT provides support services for companies in the financial services, communications, and technology industries. Sacramento was one of five cities the company considered, conducting a national search for its new location. Ultimately, ACT selected Sacramento because the availability of a qualified workforce and the benefits of locating in an Enterprise Zone.

Currently, SMUD is building the foundation for the “smart grid.”  Using new automation technologies, the smart grid system will detect problems and react to them immediately, increasing reliability. Power outages can be avoided, and customers will be empowered to see and manage their energy use in near-real time. For businesses, the smart grid will offer many programs, some automated, to improve their energy management and costs. It will provide them tools to customize their energy use, saving them unnecessary expense and maximizing electrical productivity.

SMUD is setting aggressive goals for renewable energy production, including 125 megawatts of customer-sited, net-metered solar power by 2016. These decisions are facilitating contract opportunities, attracting new industries and companies to the greater Sacramento area, and encouraging the expansion of existing companies. Through SMUD’s innovative partnerships and programs, companies have access to renewable energy and reliable electricity at competitive rates that are consistently lower than other California investor-owned and municipal utilities—all items that improve your business’s bottom line.

To learn more about economic development, rate savings and business incentive programs available to you, visit smud.org/econdev or call 1-877-768-3674.

BARSTOW: ONWARD AND UPWARD IN 2013

The City of Barstow believes there is much to be optimistic about in 2013. Signs of an economic turnaround can be found when looking at statistical data and when considering the projects that are underway in the community.

From a statistical perspective, one measure that illustrates how a community’s economic health is trending can be seen through tracking the area’s median income levels. In the 2000 census, the Barstow area had a median income level of $35,069. As of the 2010 census, the median income levels for the Barstow area had increased around 37% to $48,042. This data means that the quality of the jobs in the Barstow area is improving and points to a positive trend for the local economy.

In addition to the statistical data, the City has been working on several important economic development projects that have the potential to significantly improve the overall quality of life in Barstow.

Current significant projects that are underway in the community include the following:

Wal-Mart Supercenter Expansion. During the past several months, City staff has been working with representatives from Rothbart Development to coordinate the environmental and permitting approval process for the Super Wal-Mart project that is proposed to be constructed on a 28-acre site located at the southeast corner of East Main Street and Montara Road.

After several months of work, the Draft EIR for the Super Wal-Mart project is now complete and is currently being circulated for review. It is anticipated that the Draft EIR will be brought before the Planning Commission for certification in March 2013. Based on our current project schedule, it is anticipated that the project could break ground toward the end of 2013.

Barstow Casino & Resort Project. The Barstow Casino & Resort Project, which is being pursued as a partnership project between the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla & Cupeño Indians and Bar West Gaming, is still a viable initiative that is in the review process. In order for the initiative to move forward, both the Federal Government and the State of California will have to agree to allow the project to be constructed. Currently, the Federal Government’s Department of the Interior is evaluating the proposed Barstow Casino & Resort project and a public hearing on the environmental impact statement was held last July. If the Department of the Interior approves the project as meeting federal guidelines, the next step in the process would be negotiating a contract with the Office of California Governor Jerry Brown. That contract would also have to be approved by the California State Legislature. In an effort to give the Barstow Casino & Resort Project the best chance of gaining State approvals, the City is in the process of determining how to hire a State lobbying firm. If all the approvals are obtained, the overall casino project could be constructed in 2013 or 2014.

Barstow Community Hospital Project.During the past several years, the City has been coordinating with Community Health Systems, Inc., on building a brand new state-of-the-art medical facility in town. This past September, those efforts culminated with the opening of the new Barstow Community Hospital. The ultra-modern three-story, 82,500 square feet facility now features 30 private rooms, a high-tech emergency room, a modern intensive care center, a technologically advanced diagnostic imaging department, and innovative laboratories & surgical rooms. All told, building the updated facility required around 3,283 cubic yards of concrete, over 65 tons of concrete reinforced rebar, 476 tons of structural steel, and over 120,000 square feet of fireproofing material. The overall project constitutes an estimated investment of around $80 million in the Barstow community.

A$100-million water treatment plant and a $400-million hospital will be constructed on the site of Fort Irwin (pictured above during Army training).

Fort Irwin Projects. Fort Irwin and the United States Military have made a concerted effort to involve the local community in a variety of currently planned projects. While there are numerous improvements being coordinated by Fort Irwin, the two most significant initiatives include the construction of a $100–million water treatment plant and a $400–million hospital. These two projects, which will total an investment of over half a billion dollars in the greater Barstow area, are scheduled to break ground within the next year and are both scheduled for completion in 2015.

Barstow Industrial Park. Another significant initiative that the City is coordinating is the revival of the Barstow Industrial Park project. In total, the Barstow Industrial Park spans over 1,174 acres and is located around 3 miles northwest of Interstate 15 and around 5 miles west of the Interstate 15/Interstate 40 interchange. The City has been working with the project developer regarding future plans for the location. Discussions are currently underway regarding infrastructure concerns, utility coordination/installation issues, and the potential of obtaining rail-spur access for the site. The City will be working with the developer during this next year to coordinate and implement the solutions needed to ensure that the Barstow Industrial Park becomes the high desert’s premier logistics, manufacturing, and distribution hub.

Barstow is strategically situated midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Barstow is a major transportation corridor that serves more than 60 million travelers and 19 million vehicles each year.

Barstow is where the Interstates 15 & 40 and Highways 58 & 247 all converge. Barstow is home to the Tanger Outlets and Barstow Outlets which provide shopping options that are usually only found in metropolitan areas. Barstow is where an eclectic mix of railroad, military, high technology, and mining employers have located.

Any individual who would like to learn more about all that Barstow has to offer is encouraged to visit the City’s website at www.barstowca.org or to contact Oliver Chi, Assistant City Manager, via email at ochi@barstowca.org or by telephone at (760) 577-4510.

QUITE SIMPLY, HESPERIA WORKS FOR BUSINESS

Strategically situated in California’s Inland Empire, the City of Hesperia offers easy access to the logistics network that serves the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LGB), the nation’s largest international cargo trade area. Hesperia’s high desert locale along I-15 and U.S. Highway 395 provides an affordable and central location outside the South Coast Air Quality Management District for warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution operations that serve Southern California and surrounding states.

Encompassing over 111 square miles, Hesperia’s sphere of influence extends to hundreds of prime industrial/commercially-zoned acres along the desirable north-south frontage of Interstate 15. While large parcels of land suitable for big box development are expensive and becoming scarce in areas such as the Los Angeles Basin and Inland Empire valleys, land in Hesperia is available at considerably lower costs than found elsewhere in southern California. Additionally, Hesperia has 1,032 acres zoned for commercial and industrial development.

With assistance that very few California cities can offer—tax incentives—it’s easy to see why Hesperia was named in the 2012 Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey as one of the least expensive cities in California in which to do business. Substantial local incentives and state tax benefits of the Hesperia Enterprise Zone (EZ) are available and remain in effect until March 31, 2025, with certain benefits extending beyond the life of the zone. Some of these state tax benefits include hiring credits, sales/use credits, business expense deductions, net operating loss and net interest deductions, and employee wage credits.

Just how lucrative are the EZ hiring credits? An employee meeting the criteria for the EZ Hiring Tax Credit may make a business eligible for a hiring credit of up to $37,440 over a five-year period. Based on hiring 15 full-time employees, and a state income tax liability of $31,500, an industrial business could realize a five-year state income tax savings of $157,500. Since the City received designation almost three years ago, it has vouchered what could amount to five-year tax savings of upwards of $20.4 million for Hesperia’s businesses.

Hesperia also has a Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) in its armory of business benefits. As one of 35 California RMDZs, Hesperia’s program combines economic development with recycling to provide financially attractive incentives for businesses, expansion of existing facilities, job creation, and reduction of the waste stream headed to landfills. The RMDZ provides free market research, technical assistance and below-market rate loans to qualified manufacturing firms.

Just over 200 acres of rail-accessible land are in the Zones; some 80+ acres are city-owned. Served by BNSF, the G Avenue Industrial Rail Track was completed on April 19, 2012 and consists of nearly one mile of new railroad track and a parallel runaround track. Looking to stimulate development and effect the relocation and expansion of new industries into the 1,300-acre ‘I’ Avenue Industrial area, business attraction efforts for rail users are a priority. In addition, a future Team Transload facility would foster entrepreneurship by making rail accessible to businesses throughout the region that would then be able to ship and receive goods with the use of this convenient rail service.

Quite simply, Hesperia works for business. This pro-development, customer service-oriented City is serious about bringing your business to Hesperia! To find out how Hesperia can work for your business, more about operating in one of the most innovative Enterprise Zones in the country, available rail properties, or to request information about how a Recycling Market Development Zone can benefit your manufacturing business, contact Steven Lantsberger at (760) 947-1906, by e-mail at econdev@cityofhesperia.us; or visit www.cityofhesperia.us/econdev.

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Often noted as a microcosm of the entire country,  Illinois is the 25th most extensive and the fifth most populous state in the U.S. It is situated at the geographic center of the nation and is the crossroads for a wide range of business sectors, including manufacturing, finance, agriculture, technology and warehousing and distribution. Illinois has a broad economic base with Chicago in the northeast; small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in the central and western regions; and natural resources like coal, timber and petroleum in the south.

The state boasts an excellent transportation infrastructure that makes it a natural and cost-effective location for any business. Its modern system utilizes air, ground, rail and waterways for direct routes to every U.S. market as well as international ports.

Illinois is served by 2,169 miles of interstate highway and lies at the heart of the system. Three coast-to-coast interstates (I-70, I- 80 and I-90) pass through the state joined by north-south interstates (e.g., I-39, I-55 and I-57), east-west interstates (e.g., I-24, I-64 and I-74) and I-72, I-94, I-88 and I-155. Major interchanges are located in communities around Illinois and more than 16,000 miles of state highways make the interstate routes accessible from every region of the state.

Illinois rail network offers 52 railroads that provide service to every part of the country and its prime location also makes the state a natural hub for air travel. Illinois is home to one of the world’s busiest airports, Chicago’s O’Hare International and a major commuter hub at Midway Airport. In addition, the state has more than 137 public use airports, 270 heliports and 840 aviation facilities. Illinois has 1,118 miles of navigable waterways bordering or passing through it to provide a link between the state and the Atlantic Ocean (through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes) and the Gulf of Mexico, functioning as cost-effective highways to move products to consumers around the globe. Both the Illinois International Port District and the Tri-City Regional Port District near St. Louis are Foreign Trade Zones, providing low-cost production and warehousing facilities for imported and export-bound products. Foreign trade zones also are located in Peoria, Lawrenceville, Rockford and the Quad Cities.

Illinois has the fifth largest GDP in the country at $670 billion, a strong workforce and is home to 33 Fortune 500 companies. Chicago in particular is a major player in business. It is home to the World Trade Center Chicago and the Chicago Board of Trade, the Mercantile Exchange, the Board of Options Exchange and the Chicago Stock Market. Nearly half of the state’s workers are professionals, skilled technicians, craftspeople or machine operators and approximately 59.1 percent of the workforce has gained education beyond high school.

Wheeling, IL: Mastering The Art Of Collaboration
Wheeling, IL is becoming increasingly recognized for its ongoing collaboration between local government, area educational institutions, workforce development partners, industrial brokers and manufacturers in the area. The Village’s continued business outreach efforts have resulted in increased occupancy levels within its 14,500,000-square-foot industrial base. The current vacancy rate has fallen below 7 percent, which is among the lowest industrial vacancy rates in the region.

Peter Vadopalas, Wheeling’s Director of Economic Development, cites the community’s problem solving attitude as the foundation of recent business growth. “As we began to hear concerns over the past few years about skilled worker recruitment from our industrial employers, we naturally began to seek out partnerships and programs to try to address the challenge.” Linking with its workforce development agency, paid internships with area manufacturers were created to offer opportunities for unemployed youth to gain exposure to career options in the sector. The Village initiated the Wheeling Industrial Network, a shared interest group among its resident manufacturers, to advise on the industry’s priorities, provide a communication network to disseminate information about employer incentives and to nurture collaboration among local business owners.

“Wheeling is also blessed to have one of the most innovative high school administrations in the region, and Wheeling High School is certainly our key partner in engaging students in relevant science and technology education,” said Vadopalas.

Wheeling High School is garnering regional and national recognition for its STEM curriculum and implementation of a career pathways program. Particularly in the area of advanced manufacturing and engineering, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation has identified the school as a national model site. The school boasts a state of the art manufacturing facility and opportunity for students to earn MSSC and NIMS credentialing prior to graduation. Wheeling High School also is recognized as a national model site in their offering of a full spectrum of pre-engineering courses from 6th to 12th grade through the Project Lead the Way program.

This level of engagement and integration recently caught the attention of a technology consortium led by Intel and HP as they evaluated potential host communities for an innovation pilot to introduce small and mid size manufacturers to advanced virtual prototyping and smart manufacturing technologies. After a national search, Intel in August announced its selection of Wheeling because of its integrated network between local government, its educational institutions and the local business community. Plans are underway for a series of informational workshops to educate area manufacturers about high performance computing applications that can accelerate design, optimization and commercialization of new products and processes.

Rendering of the latest 20,000 square-foot corporate hangar coming to the Villiage of Whelling in 2013

The community’s manufacturing base is anchored around the Village’s general aviation airport, Chicago Executive Airport, the third busiest in Chicagoland. The Village recently approved the third new corporate hangar project in as many years and is reviewing opportunities to create expanded land availability in response to increased demand.

In July Wheeling retained a land planning consultant to evaluate alternate development scenarios over the eastern portion of the airport district to outline aviation and commercial development options. Once complete, the plan will serve as a concise guide for the future growth of the airport district.

“Chicago Executive Airport links Wheeling to the world—we regularly see international visitors from India to Canada to South America travel through our airport. The Village plans to capitalize on this business development asset by attracting complementary aviation and business services, hospitality and dining opportunities.”

Huntley, IL: Activity Abounds
Huntley, Illinois, a community of approximately 25,000 located 30 miles west of O’Hare airport on Interstate 90, has witnessed a significant increase in economic activity in the past 12 months. Growth has come in virtually all forms of development including retail, manufacturing/industrial, residential, institutional and infrastructure.

Scheduled for completion in late 2013 is a $69 million full-access tollway interchange. Already underway, the project includes a seven lane overpass and only two traffic signals to aid in the free flow of traffic, a new IDOT initiative. Although similar projects have been identified for construction, funding became a significant issue for Huntley’s interchange. To move Huntley’s project to the top of the Illinois Tollway Authority construction list, a unique funding mechanism was conceived and implemented.

Led by the Village of Huntley through the engineering and design approval phases, the interchange project was funded by a consortium of five governmental entities including the Illinois Tollway Authority (50 percent), the Illinois Department of Transportation (25 percent) and McHenry County, Kane County and the Village of Huntley funding the balance (25 percent). Although rare by its funding alone, McHenry County’s participation has been visionary because the interchange is located outside of McHenry County. Huntley, located in both McHenry and Kane Counties is seen as the interstate gateway to McHenry County, and Huntley’s Village officials successfully focused on that aspect when working to obtain agreement with McHenry County officials to participate in funding.

During a ceremony held on August 27, 2012, Gov. Pat Quinn stated, “At a time when other states are curbing transportation projects, Illinois is moving forward. This project will improve the quality of life for residents in Huntley, McHenry County and Kane County for years to come, and will do so while protecting the environment. It’s all about jobs. We have to have, in Illinois, an attitude that we’re going to focus in on economic growth and jobs for everybody in every region and every county.”

All four quadrants of the interchange are annexed and zoned, with over 250 acres developed with infrastructure for immediate construction. An economic development study conducted by Gruen Gruen + Associates projects total economic development in the interchange area to be in excess of $455 million among primarily retail and business park uses at full build-out.

After having its initial state application denied, Centegra received approval in July for the construction of a new $233 million Huntley Hospital. The 128 bed full service hospital is anticipated to create more than 800 construction and 1,100 permanent jobs.

Michael Eesley, Centegra’s chief executive officer, said better tollway access represents an important partnership with the new hospital. “It allows for people that want to receive care from a variety of areas to be able to get on and off the highway to do that and we are able to pull labor from a variety of different areas as well,” Eesley said. “We have 1,100 people that’ll be working within our organization … and this just gives us the ability to draw from other areas.”

The hospital site, to be located on a campus totaling 111 acres, is currently home to the Centegra Health Center building featuring Centegra Immediate Care, the Centegra Medical Imaging Center, physician offices and laboratory outpatient services. In addition to the Health Center building, the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center features more than 120,000 square feet of fitness, tennis courts and outdoor pool area.

In the manufacturing/industrial segment, several firms have recently located or made plans to locate in Huntley. Among them, FYH Bearing, Japan’s largest fixed ball bearing manufacturer, has chosen Huntley for its new 40,000-square-foot facility to serve as its Western Hemisphere distribution and sales location. Stated Jay Frazor, Operations Manager, “Without a full access interchange, our ability to transport product, our staff and management would have been significantly more complicated and expensive. Our Japanese management team can easily leave O’Hare by immediately accessing I-90 at the airport, and remain on I-90 all the way to Huntley.”

During 2012, access to one of Northern Illinois’ major “backbone” fiber optic lines will be completed. Large users of data including data centers, call centers, engineering firms and larger manufacturing firms also have expressed greater interest in locating in Huntley to take advantage of this infrastructure.

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The second most expansive state in the United States with the second largest population, Texas is home to more than 25 million people and features a diverse landscape of rivers, swamps, plains, mountains, woods and desert. Its warm weather, excellent schools and southern hospitality make for an unmatched quality of life with a rich cultural heritage.

Texas also has a well-earned reputation as the best state in the U.S. to do business. The state offers one of the lowest tax burdens in the country (e.g., no personal income tax), business-driven tort reform, a variety of incentives and an overall low cost of doing business.

A major incentive is the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), which is designed to expedite the development and commercialization of new technologies and to attract and create jobs in technology fields.

“Texas continues to be a leader in jobs, innovation and technological development, thanks in part to investments through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund which have attracted top researchers and cutting edge companies to the state,” said Gov. Rick Perry.

The job creation capital of the nation, Texas shows no signs of stopping. By December 2011, Texas employers had replaced all of the jobs shed during the recession compared with the nation’s 44 percent recovery. This past July marked two straight years of continuous job growth for the state and over the past year it added jobs in nine of the 11 major sectors, including education and health services; leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation and utilities; professional and business services; mining and logging; manufacturing; construction; and financial activities.

“Texas’ job growth over the past year points to a steady and sustained expansion of our state’s economy,” said Tom Pauken. Pauken is the chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission.

The Lone Star State was named 2011’s leading exporting state for the tenth year in a row (according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce) with exports in 2011 totaling more than $249.8 billion, up 20.7 percent from $206.9 billion in 2010. It outperformed overall U.S. exports, which grew by 15.8 percent in 2011 with top exporting industries that included petroleum and coal products, chemicals, computer and electronic products, non-electrical machinery and transportation equipment. In addition, the energy industry in Texas supplies 20 percent of the nation’s oil production, more than 30 percent of its natural gas production, a quarter of its refining capacity and nearly 60 percent of the nation’s chemical manufacturing.

According to USA Today, Texas has moved past New York as the nation’s second largest economy and it is the 15th largest in the world based on GDP figures (nominal). Texas also is home to six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list, third only after New York and California. And the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Texas added more than 420,000 people from 2010 to 2011, a larger increase than any other state, providing nearly 19 percent of the nation’s population growth for the year.

A Big Focus On Industry Clusters
Texas is accustomed to being #1. Month after month, the Lone Star State tops business rankings for business climate, job growth and growing communities. In a national economy still recovering from a recession, Texas has forged ahead of the pack as a result of a superior business climate, ranking as the “Best State for Business” by Chief Executive Magazine for the eighth straight year in 2012.

A key ingredient to Texas’ success is a comprehensive job creation strategy focused on six key industry clusters: Advanced Technology and Manufacturing; Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Information and Computer Technology; Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products; and Energy. As a result of focusing state economic development efforts in these areas, Texas has experienced robust job growth. In the last ten years, Texas has generated nearly 1.4 million new jobs—more than three times the number of any other state. Texas’ climate of success and prosperity has led thousands of companies to move here, stay here and grow here. From corporate giants to rising stars, businesses and jobs are flocking to the Lone Star State.

As Caterpillar officials look on, Gov. Rick Perry cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the equipment giant's new hydraulic excavator manufacturing plant in Victoria, TX.

Caterpillar Inc. has a workforce of 3,000 strong in Texas. With locations spread across the state, two of the company’s largest plants are a direct outcome of the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), the largest deal-closing fund of its kind in the nation. In August of 2012, Caterpillar celebrated the grand opening of its new hydraulic excavator manufacturing plant in Victoria, a TEF project which will generate $200 million in capital investment.

Texas has been a global leader in the semiconductor industry since the 1950s, with the invention of the integrated circuit by Texas Instruments. In recent years, the state has solidified its position as an industry leader by attracting advanced technology companies to the state through the TEF. In August 2012, TEF award recipient Samsung committed to an additional investment of up to $4 billion dollars to upgrade its Austin chip manufacturing plant, bringing the company’s total investment in the Lone Star State to more than $13 billion.

Aerospace innovation that began with NASA continues to evolve in Texas as commercialized space exploration becomes a dominant force in the industry. In July 2012, XCOR announced the creation of its new Commercial Space Research and Development Center headquarters at the Midland International Airport. XCOR develops and produces reusable launch vehicles, rocket engines, and rocket propulsion systems, and will create 100 jobs at the new facility focusing on development of the Lynx, the company’s next generation reusable launch vehicle.

Innovative and growing biotechnology companies are consistently choosing Texas as the prime location to expand their businesses. In recent years, Spanish pharmaceuticals firm Grifols selected Texas for a new plasma testing laboratory and fractionation plant. Hanger Orthopedic Group, an orthotic and prosthetic services firm, relocated its headquarters to Austin. In San Antonio, Medtronic located a major expansion of its diabetes division, while Becton, Dickinson & Co. established its global professional services headquarters.

The Texas A&M University System landed a major federal biosecurity contract in June. With an initial investment of $176.6 million from the U.S. Government, Texas A&M will develop one of only three Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing in the United States. The purpose of the Center is to bolster the country’s emergency preparedness against emerging infectious diseases, such as pandemic influenza, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

Gov. Perry discusses Facebook's expansion plans in Austin.

Apple and Facebook are two of the most globally recognized information and computer technology companies in the world, and both have expanded major operations in Texas as a result of the Texas Enterprise Fund. Facebook opened its Austin office in May 2010 and doubled the facility’s size in October 2011. The Austin office represents Facebook’s first major U.S. expansion and is its largest operations office in North America outside of its Menlo Park, California headquarters.

Apple is investing $304 million in a new campus in Austin that will create over 3,600 jobs. The campus will more than double the size of Apple’s workforce in Texas over the next decade, supporting the company’s growing operations in the Americas with expanded customer support, sales and accounting functions for the region.

The largest single capital investment commitment for a TEF project in Texas is a multi-year refinery expansion by Motiva that began in 2006. Saudi Refining, Inc. (a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Aramco) and Shell Oil Company (an affiliate of the Netherlands’ Royal Dutch Shell plc) completed their joint-venture project in May 2012, making the Motiva Enterprises Texas Gulf Coast refinery the largest refinery in the nation.

The natural gas production industry is booming in Texas, due in large part to the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. Drilling activity, extraction and production in the shale have expanded rapidly since the first well was drilled in 2008. Fortune 500 oilfield services company Baker Hughes is headquartered in Houston and plays a critical role in the Eagle Ford Shale. Its drilling units have worked on 97 percent of the wells in the shale and the company invested $30 million last year to open a new operations center outside of San Antonio. The facility was constructed specifically to support the deluge of activity in the Eagle Ford Shale.

Caterpillar, Samsung, Apple and Facebook are just a few of the global businesses that have laid down roots in Texas soil and reaped the benefits of an award-winning business climate. Cultivated by a culture of growth and prosperity, these companies and thousands more understand that Texas really is Wide Open for Business and committed to their success.

Waxahachie: Crossroads Of Texas
Waxahachie is located at the crossroads of Texas. Conveniently situated at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Highway 287, this prime location is less than 35 minutes to Downtown Dallas to the north, less than 60 minutes to Waco and the Texas Hill Country to the south, 18 miles to I-45 and the Piney Woods to the East, and 45 minutes to Downtown Fort Worth to the west.

Over 80,000 vehicles travel through this intersection every day, making Waxahachie an ideal location for a variety of business and industry. Medical, manufacturing, technology, retail and many other businesses continue to choose Waxahachie as their home.

Since it was founded in 1850, Waxahachie has benefited from its prime location. In the late nineteenth century, Waxahachie grew rapidly largely due to the area’s prosperous cotton industry. This industry was enhanced due to the availability of rail transportation through the city, and the original highway intersection right in the heart of Waxahachie’s central business district. Soon, one of the country’s first textile mills was built and the rest is history. Success of the early cotton barons has left a legacy still enjoyed today in the form of hundreds of beautiful Victorian homes and grand historic buildings that frame the most photographed courthouse in the state of Texas.

Fast forward over a hundred years, and Waxahachie is still experiencing a healthy and graceful rate of growth. In fact, the same places where cotton barons traveled to market and the historic Shawnee cattle trail passed through, is where modern-day companies are enjoying success in medical, service, manufacturing, retail and tourism industries.

Waxahachie is the county seat of Ellis County which also makes the community a regional center for commerce. Retailers in Waxahachie have enjoyed success for decades and continue to prosper today. Many new retail developments such as Waxahachie Crossing and Waxahachie Town Center, have been added to the community since 2000. In the last two years, increasing consumer traffic has created a steady rise in sales tax revenues for the city, which also translates into improved sales for the retailers.

Medical amenities include Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, which was named a Top 100 Hospital by Thomson Reuters. Baylor will soon construct a 120 bed facility as part of a new 52 acre medical complex. This new facility is slated for completion in late 2014.

Several professional services companies also enjoy the amenities that Waxahachie has to offer. Some, such as Southwest Data Solutions, have chosen the historic downtown area and others are located in one of the many office centers located along the US Hwy 287 Bypass. Waxahachie’s regional draw and numerous manufacturers make building a customer base a breeze.

Waxahachie is home to over 50 industrial companies from a broad range of sectors. The largest companies include a Walgreens Distribution Center, DART Container Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglass, and Rock-Tenn. These companies have made Waxahachie home for the obvious reasons: excellent transportation corridors, quality workforce and training, cost-effective land development, a business-friendly environment, and a wonderful quality of life.

The community’s quality of life is second-to-none with a variety of residential options, an excellent education system, convenient shopping and dining, progressive medical care and easy access to all the metropolitan amenities that the DFW Metroplex has to offer.

Waxahachie attracts families. In fact, more than half of all households have one or more school age children. Waxahachie Independent School District has an enrollment of over 7,500 students on 13 campuses, and 1,000 employees preparing children for tomorrow’s challenges and successes.

Navarro College’s Waxahachie campus boasts the largest enrollment of all their locations. Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a growing four year college that also is an important part of the community.

Add in several private and charter schools, a S.T.E.M. High School, many active youth programs and two college campuses with a combined enrollment of over 3,000 and you will quickly see why making lots of room for education is very important to Waxahachie.

Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Highway 287, Waxahachie is the perfect home for a wide variety of businesses. Technology, medical, retail and many other companies continue to choose to make Waxahachie home. The community has a proven track record for success, and most Waxahachie firms have continued to thrive, even during times of uncertainty. Experience that same success for your business by making Waxahachie your company’s home.

Midland, TX Continues To Grow By Leaps And Bounds
In the decade encompassing 2001 to 2011, Midland, TX, had the highest annual average growth rate in the nation at 9.1 percent, increasing from $5.3 billion to $12.7 billion during that span. The goal of the Midland Development Corporation (MDC), a Type A Sales Tax Corporation with over $7 million in annual revenues, is to convert this rapid growth into permanent progress. It is one of the fastest growing cities, not only in the state, but in the country as well. In fact, in May of 2012, it was projected that the population would grow by an astonishing 12 percent alone. Housing and hotel occupancy rates speak for themselves as they have been at 100 percent full occupancy for over the past year. Many new housing developments are in construction to satisfy this overwhelming progression but catching up with this type of growth is no small task.

Gov. Perry joins XCOR Aerospace and the Midland Development Corp. in announcing XCOR's new Commercial Space Research and Development Center headquarters at the Midland International Airport.

What has the Midland Development Corporation and the city excited about is the recent announcement of XCOR Aerospace’s R & D Headquarters locating to the Midland International Airport. XCOR is focused on the research, development, project management and production of safe, reliable, reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), rocket engines and rocket propulsion systems. Midland is not the only one excited about the arrival of XCOR. Texas Gov. Rick Perry was in attendance at the announcement and expressed his enthusiasm about what this move means for Midland and for Texas.

“This is a great day for Midland and a huge step forward for the State of Texas. Visionary companies, like XCOR, continue to choose Texas because they know that innovation is fueled by freedom,” Gov. Perry said. “Whether on the cutting edge of biotech, communications, commerce or privatized efforts to serve the needs of the next generation of space explorers, you can find Texas at the forefront of the movement.”

Bill Whittle of PJTV said, “Midland, TX, will have a foothold in one of this young century’s key technologies. It will help anchor the boom and bust oil economy of the region and it will turn Midland Airport into one of the few actual spaceports in all the world.”

The Midland International Airport has many sites available to meet the needs of this fast-paced and thriving technology. With XCOR as the pioneer, this opens the door and provides opportunities for the aerospace and aviation sector to prosper in Midland, TX.

Midland is located in the heart of West Texas, half way between Fort Worth and El Paso. Midland also serves as a key component to the La Entrada Al Pacifico Corridor. The Entrance to the Pacific Corridor is a state and federally designated trade corridor from Texas to Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico, and continuing to the Mexican Pacific port of Topolobampo in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. It would offer Texas with long-term access to a Pacific deep water port that is approximately 500 miles closer and much less expensive than the Port of Los Angeles.

Midland’s superb business climate has evolved over the past century as the community grew to be the regional headquarters for the West Texas oil and gas industry. The result is that companies in all industries can benefit from the business climate and natural advantages the Midland region offers. The MDC has the ability to structure incentive packages to qualified new and existing employers who create and retain diversified jobs. The location on I-20, rail served by Union Pacific and Foreign Trade Zone #165 makes Midland a prime location for distribution and manufacturing. And with the recent designation of Midland as a spaceport, Midland can begin to generate a wide variety of jobs in the aerospace and aviation sector. The importance of education in Midland is reflected in the percentage of population with a completed Bachelors’ Degree well above the national average. Engineers, geoscientists and financial professionals make up a large percentage of Midland’s workforce. If you would like to find out about more opportunities in Midland, they can be found at www.midlandtxedc.com.

Port Freeport: Gateway To Growth
Port Freeport came into being more than 100 years ago when the first jetty system was built in Freeport, Texas. Since that time, Port Freeport has become one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf Coast and currently ranks 16th among U.S. ports in international cargo tonnage handled. With a current channel of 45-foot depth, soon to be widened and deepened, just three miles from open Gulf of Mexico waters, Port Freeport offers more than 7,500 acres for future development. Port Freeport serves its customers and stakeholders through development and marketing of competitive world-class navigational capabilities, technically advanced marine and multimodal terminal services and port-related industrial facilities while achieving profits and creating jobs as a leading economic catalyst for the Texas Gulf Coast.

Port Freeport offers the following benefits: rail, highway, vessel and/or barge transportation can be seamlessly utilized; direct access to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Brazos River Diversion Channel, State Highway 36, State Highway 288 and Union Pacific Railroad; only a few minutes commute from quality schools, housing and medical care and just 59 miles south of downtown Houston, Texas—the nation’s fourth largest city; surrounded by a highly qualified, technical labor pool; available existing water supply, wastewater collection, electrical distribution, gas and telephone; existence of adjacent properties that could support future growth and development; air freight service by all national carriers from multiple surrounding airports within a 60-mile radius; availability of local, high-quality trainable workforce and close proximity to universities and technical colleges; ability to manage inventory and/or manufacture duty deferred, inside its Foreign-Trade Zone; Texas is a right-to-work state, which leaves you the right to choose between union and non-union labor; and the state of Texas, Brazoria County and Port Freeport offer competitive incentives, tax credits and exemptions.

Recent developments at Port Freeport include the construction of the first phase of Port Freeport’s Velasco Terminal adding further cargo-handling capabilities at the Port, with the construction of a new 800-foot-long dock and 20 acres of backlands, promising an eventual offering of 2,400 feet of berthing and more than 90 acres of supporting land.

Meanwhile, the Port continues to work in conjunction with federal and state authorities to advance the project to deepen the Port’s channel to 55 feet from its present 45 feet, plus substantially widen the channel as well. It is hopeful that the feasibility study will indicate, as have preliminary analyses, that benefits of the channel project should exceed its $300 million cost.

With so many developments pointing toward growing diversified activity at Port Freeport, its people look forward to the Port expanding upon its already impressive status as an economic cornerstone of the community and region—a dynamic force directly and indirectly responsible for over 55,000 jobs with an overall annual economic impact in Texas of $10.2 billion.

Unlike many ports, which are running out of available land, Port Freeport boasts more than 7,500 acres of currently undeveloped tracts, all proximate to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Port is a mere three miles—45 minutes by ship—from the open sea.

The Foreign-Trade Zone Program adds to Port Freeport’s appeal. Since established in 1988, Port Freeport’s Foreign-Trade Zone No. 149 has helped American companies involved in global commerce to save money on the products they import into the U.S. through deferral, reduction and/or elimination of Customs duties assessed on foreign merchandise. In 2012, Port Freeport submitted an application to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board to reorganize FTZ149 under the Alternative Site Framework offering FTZ benefits to companies located in Brazoria and Fort Bend County.

More than $9 billion in investments by Brazoria County industries are among key developments that bode to propel increasing activity at Port Freeport for decades to come while supporting thousands of local jobs and helping ensure sufficient supplies of low-cost natural gas for Texas and beyond.

Freeport LNG Development LP is investing some $4 billion in expanding the liquefied natural gas facility opened as a receiving  and regasification terminal by the Houston-based firm at Port Freeport in 2008. The firm has signed new 20-year contracts with two large Japanese power companies to export liquefied natural gas  from the facility and is reportedly in negotiations with a U.S. affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell PLC regarding Shell’s potential participation in the project.

Meanwhile, The Dow Chemical Company is investing more than $4 billion in four new projects—a joint-venture chlor-alkali plant, a propylene production facility, an ethylene cracker and a Dow AgroSciences plant—that together should bring more than 325 permanent jobs and more than 4,500 construction jobs to the area.

A Phillips 66 Company joint venture with Chevron Corporation for a $1.1 billion terminal expansion and a $100 million investment by another longtime Freeport business, BASF Corporation, are among other undertakings that should keep a steady flow of project cargo coming through Port Freeport during construction stages and facilitate growing export cargo flows after becoming operational.

The Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas play in South Texas is a driver behind the burgeoning energy sector activity.

These developments are by no means the only progress to report.

Port Freeport commissioners and executives met for a full-day workshop in June to identify strategic planning objectives, which include completion by June 2013 of the first 800 feet of a 2,400 feet total berth space in the Port’s 90-acre Velasco Terminal, with a third-party investor being sought to finish build-out and handle terminal operations. Also high on the priority list is development of adjacent infrastructure—including rail and highway links—to ensure the terminal realizes its full potential.

The locally funded widening of Port Freeport’s channel is moving forward toward early 2013 completion, while the more ambitious endeavor to deepen the channel to 55 feet is advancing as well, with a key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report targeted for release by the end of 2012, opening the door to federal funding.

Safety and security also continue to be priorities at Port Freeport. The Port’s new emergency operations center, on schedule for a May 2013 opening, is a significant grant project that will benefit not only the port but the community as well, particularly in times of emergency. And multiple committees, including representatives of tenants and labor, are spearheading a collaborative process to invoke an enhanced safety culture at Port Freeport.

With a rich history spanning more than a century, a diverse cargo and revenue base, more than 7,500 acres available for additional development and an unbeatable business-friendly attitude, Port Freeport is ideally positioned to make the most of these and other dynamic developments, to the benefit of all who work and live in Brazoria County.

Those seeking additional information about Port Freeport are encouraged to check out their website at www.portfreeport.com or contact Mike Wilson at 1-800-362-5743, ext. 4325, or via email at wilson@portfreeport.com.

Greenville Is An Ideal Location For Manufacturing
Manufacturers seeking a prime location for their next plant need look no further than Greenville, Texas. Located on Interstate 30 approximately 30 minutes from the eastern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Greenville provides everything needed for successful business.

Greenville offers businesses a strong transportation network. In addition to direct access to Interstate 30, a well travelled and primary NAFTA trade corridor, Greenville also offers convenient connections to Interstate 20 via Texas Highway 34 and to Interstates 35 and 45 via Dallas. U.S. Highway 69/380 provides a connection to the Northern growth regions of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The proximity to these major freight lanes allows companies to quickly access customers throughout the state of Texas and the Southwest region.

For companies requiring rail, Greenville can be accessed by virtually every major railroad line. Direct service is provided by Kansas City Southern, with connecting service provided by RailAmerica/DGNO and short-line carrier Blacklands Railroad. Greenville Majors Field Municipal Airport provides a convenient service for business utilizing corporate jet travel. With a runway of 8,000 feet, Majors Field can handle virtually any aircraft in the world. Both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field are within an hours drive.

Ultimately, this enviable transportation network provides manufacturers multiple options in receiving critical production materials from preferred suppliers in the most cost-efficient manner. Greenville manufacturers then have the advantage of the same transportation options when delivering finished products to their customer base, locally and globally.

Greenville’s ideal interstate and highway network also provides an available workforce that stretches far beyond the immediate Greenville and Hunt County area. Existing industry employee commute patterns indicate a labor draw area of up to a 40-mile radius. This area encompasses a multi-talented workforce of over 700,000 workers in all or part of 10 counties, including heavily populated counties within the DFW Metroplex. Continued education and training opportunities are available through the Greenville campus of Paris Junior College and nearby Texas A&M University-Commerce. Greenville companies who have recently expanded their production operations have touted the exceptional workforce as one of the key reasons for their past success and confidence in future success.

Cytec groundbreaking in Greenville.

Companies that are thriving in Greenville include Weatherford International, who broke ground in January 2012 on a Phase II 123,000 square feet plant expansion. Before the paint was dry, ground was broken on Phase III, which will mirror the Phase II expansion. Weatherford officials cited the quality and efficiency of the current Greenville facility and quality of the workforce as a primary reason for the expansion. Cytec Engineered Materials has also undergone an expansion of their facility, as they are bringing new production lines to Greenville. Total Equipment Services recently purchased an available Class A 123,000 square feet manufacturing facility for their operations supporting the Oil & Gas Industry. Other industries currently operating in Greenville include Rock Tenn, L-3 Communications Mission Integration, Innovation First International, CNH Global, Jarden Home Products, A B Mauri, Masonite, McKesson Corp., OmniSYS and Texas Book Co. Greenville’s existing businesses represent a diverse industrial base ranging from educational robotics shipped worldwide to global military aircraft modification.

Greenville offers prime industrial sites, with multiple sites owned and controlled by the Greenville EDC. Other key sites are held by single individuals who are good corporate partners with the City and EDC. The majority of industrial sites would be readily available at low or no cost to the user. The Greenville Industrial District is served by three Greenville Electric Utility Service (GEUS) substations, ensuring manufacturing capacity and reliability. The City of Greenville has an enviable supply of water, with a surplus capacity of 15 million gallons per day. Atmos Energy is the gas provider and a strong supporter of industrial growth in the community.

The Greenville Economic Development Team is focused on increasing the industrial and manufacturing base through aggressive customized incentive packages, competitive electric rate contracts, and low-cost land. City of Greenville officials and staff are business minded and dedicated to supporting both new and existing business. The community embraces growth and works hard to make Greenville the location of choice.

With Greenville’s easy accessibility, close proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, abundant workforce, plentiful and affordable land, and pro-growth attitude, businesses and industries are offered a true Texas location with value.

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Historically, Florida’s economy was based upon industries like cattle farming and agriculture. Today, the state’s strengths lie in areas such as cleantech, life sciences, IT, and logistics and distribution. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Florida’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011 was approximately $754 billion, the fourth largest economy in the United States. This success is made possible by the vast and diverse state with eight key regions that offer geographic, economic and demographic advantages for business.

Northwest Florida (Panhandle) has a workforce that exceeds 700,000 and offers proximity to Southeast U.S. markets, three research universities and military installations that provide a renewable source of skilled workers.

North Central Florida prospers with natural resources, convenience to large markets and intermodal transportation channels such as rail systems and commercial airports. It also is home to the University of Florida and framed by I-75, I-10 and various highways.

Northeast Florida has a land area characterized by natural resources and diverse habitats. Its infrastructure of highways, railways and seaports provides access to global markets and its wide area network (WAN) bandwidth allows businesses to transfer voice, video and data.

With an educated workforce of more than 1.6 million, East Central is part of the state’s High Tech Corridor. Advanced security, digital media, simulation and emerging technologies serve as core economic drivers.

The Tampa Bay area is the 14th largest consumer market in the country with a workforce supported by the University of South Florida. Its seaports and airports create a cost competitive logistics and distribution network with access to the global economy.

The Southwest region sees Florida Gulf Coast University and Technology and Research Parks drawing in new business while providing existing firms with resources to grow. It has two Foreign Trade Zones and a transportation network that includes an international airport, Page Field, a general aviation airport, and I-75.

South Central Florida has a wealth of land available along with waterways, access to multiple metropolitan areas, international airports and deep seaports. Two Foreign Trade Zones; I-75, I-4, and I-95; the Florida Turnpike; four U.S. highways (17, 27, 441, and 98); and 12 state roads traverse or pass near the region.

The Southeast offers international connectivity via several airports and deep water seaports; a large pool of workers; and a multicultural environment. A major telecom hub, the region is the location of Network Access Point, the AMPATH network and many Internet-related companies.

Florida: Location And Business Advantages
Florida is known around the world as a place for sun and fun. But the Sunshine State increasingly is earning a reputation as the place to go for business.

The reason so many people are building a life and a livelihood in Florida is because of the state’s unwavering commitment to building a pro-growth business climate, an effort shared by the state’s Chief Executive Officer, Governor Rick Scott, and the Florida Legislature. Florida values the contribution of business to the state’s economy and quality of life, and its laws and policies reflect that attitude.

Florida makes it possible for businesses to earn a profit. Low taxes, expedited permitting and competitive costs create an environment where businesses can grow and owners and employees can both prosper. Last year alone, under the leadership of Governor Scott, 1,100 burdensome regulations were eliminated. In addition, the Governor led the passage of $1 billion in tax cuts and exempted nearly two-thirds of businesses in the state from punitive taxes.

The state’s investment strategy builds on its greatest assets—its natural features and its human capital.
Florida’s geography makes the state an international point of entry and exit for both goods and people but its multimodal transportation system is what makes it a hub for commerce. With 19 commercial airports, 15 deep water seaports, three spaceports, the second largest network of foreign trade zones, an extensive network of highways and railways and multiple spots for high-speed data transmission, businesses can stay connected and competitive in the global economy.

Florida also is investing in building a world-class workforce. At a time when other states are trimming their budgets for public education, the state increased funding for schools by $1 billion. The state also is raising expectations for students to ensure a high school diploma means graduates are prepared with the knowledge and skills to enter college and challenging 21st century careers.

In addition to providing a pro-growth business climate, Florida also offers an array of incentives to attract investment from companies moving or growing in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership primarily responsible for the state’s economic development efforts, provides a customized package of incentives to companies who are considering expansion in the Sunshine State. Incentives range from infrastructure projects to targeted tax relief to funding for job creation.

These efforts have gained national recognition. The country’s leading CEOs rank Florida one of the best states to do business, according to the magazine Chief Executive. Florida ranks first for talent pipeline (education and training of workforce) by the National Chamber Foundation, first (new ranking available here) for transportation infrastructure by Business Facilities and third largest exporter of high tech goods and services by TechAmerica.

While the statistics are impressive, the real measure of success is every new facility opened and each new job created. Within the last year, three major international companies announced plans to expand their operations in Florida.

CEO Bill Brown heads up Harris Corporation, which is adding a new $100 million high tech engineering center to its existing headquarters in Florida.

Harris Corporation, an international communications and IT company, announced plans to build a high-tech center in Palm Bay. The six story, 450,000-square-foot facility will serve as the centerpiece for their most advanced engineering efforts. More than 6,000 jobs are being retained and created as a result of this expansion.

Sykes Enterprises announced plans to open a new 92,000-square-foot call center in Lakeland. The company, which provides customer service to a diverse clientele of businesses in communications, technology, financial services, healthcare, transportation and retail, will create 600 new jobs to staff the operations at the facility.

Coca-Cola Refreshments reported a 20 percent expansion of its facilities in Auburndale. The company is investing $99 million and adding 60 jobs to ramp up production of its popular brand of juice drinks, Simply Orange and Simply Lemonade. Across Florida, Coca-Cola employs more than 6,200 associates in 30 facilities, including seven manufacturing plants and 15 distribution centers.

Coca-Cola recently announced a $99 million investment in its major Florida juice operation.

All of these business expansions were made possible through a customized package of incentives—from transportation infrastructure projects to tax credits for job creation—offered by state and local governments. The results are proof of Florida’s comprehensive strategy to welcome businesses to the great Sunshine State.

To learn more, visit www.eflorida.com or call Enterprise Florida at 855-YES-FLORIDA.

Greater Fort Lauderdale: A Premier Headquarters Site
Greater Fort Lauderdale is located in the center of Florida’s largest metropolitan area with over 150 corporate and international regional headquarters already enjoying the area’s advantages—including such notable names as AutoNation, Citrix, DHL Americas, Elizabeth Arden, Embraer, Heico, Huizenga Holdings, Kaplan Higher Education, Mako Surgical, Marriott International, Microsoft, Nipro Diagnostics and Seacor. All the requisite support services and infrastructure are in place to ensure success. The recent announcements of several major corporate and international regional headquarter projects in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area by Altadis USA, Astor & Black, Emerson, E-Builder, Private Jet Charter, Saveology and the Wendy’s Company provide further “real world” confirmation of the area’s business benefits. “The price of real estate…and the cooperation of the city were tremendous,” said Rick McKenzie, Senior VP of Human Resources at Altadis USA, about the company’s decision to locate in Fort Lauderdale. He added that “among the most critical factors were the transportation infrastructure…South Florida weather [and] the support of the government.” Please visit the headquarters website link at www.lesstaxing.comto view a short video on why so many companies have relocated their headquarters to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale’s downtown CityScape Sunrise.

The area’s domestic and international air infrastructure is robust. Anchored by the Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood International Airport, with its new $790 million runway scheduled to open in 2014, it houses low-cost domestic carriers such as JetBlue, US Airways, Southwest and Spirit Airlines that offer daily flight service and also is in close proximity to the Miami International Airport for additional flight options. Port Everglades is Florida’s leading container cargo and a major cruise port with two of the largest cruise ships calling it home—the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas. It is in the midst of $72.8 million intermodal yard improvements and $54 million cruise terminal renovations to further enhance its capabilities.

The cost competitive attributes of Florida’s tax structure for both businesses and individuals have long been attested to by the Tax Foundation, highlighted by no state personal income tax—always a key point for consideration, especially for the attraction and retention of employees. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s housing affordability for both single family homes and condominiums has improved dramatically from August 2007, and the large South American and Brazilian populations that live in the area provide a substantial multilingual base of Portuguese and Spanish speaking employees to serve those markets as well as the United States. Greg Burkart, Managing Director of Specialty Tax at Duff & Phelps, the consulting firm that advised Emerson on their new Latin American headquarters location said, “the most important factors for Emerson were the accessibility to Latin America, proximity to other Latin American-related companies in this area and the availability of a multilingual workforce…” Detailed information on selected available office and industrial sites as well as demographic information can be accessed through the Greater Fort Lauderdale ZoomProspector service by visiting www.lesstaxing.com and clicking on the Property and Demographic link.

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s higher education is anchored by Nova Southeastern University (NSU)—the nation’s 8th largest not for profit independent university with more than 28,000 students and 148,000 alumni and whose Chancellor, Ray Ferrero, Jr., serves as the Founding Chairman of the CEO Council. NSU is home to the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, one of the top business schools in the nation, with Florida’s top MBA program. It is the only college of business with “Entrepreneurship” in its name and offers strong curriculums at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. NSU has been ranked first nationally for four consecutive years in awarding doctoral degrees to Hispanics. In addition, Broward College ranks fifth in the country among four-year institutions in awarding associate’s degrees, third to minority students, fourth in graduation of African American students and sixth in producing Hispanic degree-holders. In all, 43 institutions of higher education offer associate degrees or higher within 30 miles of Greater Fort Lauderdale; 11 offer MBA degrees. The services of Workforce One Employment Solutions also are available to provide recruitment assistance for key positions as well as coordination of training for new employees.

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For as long as most people can remember, Ontario has been Canada’s mining and manufacturing center, with a heavy emphasis on exports.

But as the continued strength of the Canadian dollar has created a trade deficit, Ontario is aggressively moving to diversify its economic base with new high-growth sectors like information communications technology (ICT) alternative energy and digital media.

Ontario has become a North American hot spot for ICT. We offer everything leading ICT companies need to succeed: a smart, skilled workforce, outstanding researchers and research facilities, exceptional R&D tax credits, the lowest business costs in the G7 and an enviable quality of life that is needed to attract top talent. The provincial government is making ICT research and commercialization a priority.

Maryland-based Ciena is investing $900 million to expand its R&D operations in Ontario. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), headquartered in California, is investing $376 million+ in the province to accelerate the development of a revolutionary new family of processors, while French gaming giant Ubisoft is spending more than $500 million to open a new studio here.

Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEA), passed in 2009, places a priority on establishing Ontario as the North American leader in producing and using clean and renewable sources of energy including wind, water, solar, biomass and biogas power.

Ontario also is a center for research and development and manufacture of bio-based technologies, processes and products. Companies like LANXESS, The Woodbridge Group, Stemergy, Lorama, Iogen and Anaergia are here, taking biomass and turning it into green energy, chemicals and materials for rapidly expanding global markets.

And Ontario is attracting more international companies all the time. The latest is Plymouth, Minnesota-based BioAmber, which is building its first North American renewable chemical plant in Sarnia.

The demand for alternative energy in North America is growing—and Ontario is in a prime position to meet that demand, given its establishment of North America’s first comprehensive Feed-In Tariff Program for energy generated from renewable sources.

This combined with Ontario’s strategic location in North America, long-term government support for alternative energy generation and advanced and diverse manufacturing capabilities, position Ontario as a preferred location for manufacturers of sustainable, alternative energy technologies and related components, service providers and project developers.

The province’s Green Energy Act, introduced in May 2009, and the Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, introduced in November 2010, provide investors, communities and companies the tools they need to create a cleaner, greener future.

Brampton: A Center of Growth
The City of Brampton, located in the western GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is the 9th largest city in Canada and the 3rd largest in the GTA. With a population of 523,911, Brampton is the 2nd fastest growing city in Canada, averaging growth of 4.2% per year (or approximately 18,000 new residents per year) made up of more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds speaking more than 70 different languages. The Province of Ontario has designated Brampton as an urban growth area and by 2031, the City’s population is expected to grow to 725,000.

Brampton has positioned itself as a global economic contender. Home to the largest intermodal railway terminal in Canada and with immediate access to an extensive network of trans-continental highways, it is also located just north of Canada’s largest international airport, Toronto Pearson International serving 34 million passengers annually.

Brampton’s diversified economy is represented by more than 8.000 businesses, 153,000 workers and has an economic base comprised of 72% services-producing sector and 28% goods producing sector.

• A $650 million (CDN) municipal organization. Achieved a ‘AAA’ credit rating designated by Standard & Poor’s.
• Voted in Top 10 Cities in North America for Foreign Direct Investment—Best Infrastructure Large City 2011/12
• Designated as a World Health Organization International Safe Community
• Over 6,000 acres of vacant employment lands available for development and revitalization

The City’s major business sectors include Manufacturing, Retail and Wholesale Trade, Food and Beverage, Information and Communication Technology, and Life Sciences. The manufacturing industry remains the City’s largest employer.

Businesses continue to show significant confidence in Brampton’s economy.  In 2011 national statistics elevated Brampton to the 6th most active construction market in Canada, ahead of Vancouver, Winnipeg, Quebec City and Hamilton. Employment rose by 31% on the strength of 242 new businesses.
In 2012, Air Canada announced the construction of their Systems Operations Control Centre (SOC) which will open in 2014 and essentially be the new “nerve centre” of the airline. The Air Canada facility will translate into 500 knowledge-based jobs in addition to millions of dollars in capital investment.

Toronto’s Pearson International is Canada’s largest airport, serving more than 34 million passengers annually.

In 2011, Canadian Blood Services opened a state-of-the art blood processing and distribution centre in Brampton. The centre, as part of an $83 million capital investment by Canadian Blood Services, serves about 100 hospitals in southern and central Ontario. Their reason to choose Brampton was location, and at the centre of Canada’s major transportation corridors— and close to Toronto Pearson International Airport. Blood products can be shipped easily to and from other parts of the country.

Headquartered in Brampton, Gamma-Dynacare is Canada’s largest provider of laboratory services and have just completed a multimillion dollar expansion to their head office and laboratory facility. With 700 employees, Gamma-Dynacare is Brampton’s seventh largest employer.

Overall, Brampton is a well-planned city with a rich history and cultural heritage, offering an unparalleled quality of life with access to excellent health care, education, transit, recreation and arts and cultural opportunities.

Port Colborne: Gateway to Ontario
The City of Port Colborne, Ontario, is located in the Niagara region of the province, where the Welland Canal opens up into Lake Erie. The canal is a key part of the St. Lawrence Seaway System. “Any vessel that passes from the Atlantic Ocean through Lake Ontario and into the upper Great Lakes needs to pass right through our community,” says Stephen Thompson, general manager, Port Colborne Economic Development Tourism Corp.

The port is managed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., and the City of Port Colborne manages other assets. The port provides several strategic advantages. It is within 20 minutes of the border crossing at Buffalo, N.Y., and 30 minutes from the border crossing at Niagara Falls, N.Y. What’s more, Toronto is located just an hour away from the city.

The port offers a niche in the movement of bulk goods such as aggregates and grains. A public grain elevator acts as a storage facility and intermediary location to move bulk product from smaller ships to larger ships.

Thompson says Casco, Inc., a biotech company that provides product derived from corn to food companies and others, has its own private dock. It can bring ships into the canal during the three month shut down, from January to mid to late March, “which creates other unique opportunities for our port and our community,” he says.

Ships come in during the winter months for routine maintenance, ship repair and ship building activities. “We are able to support these activities because of our strong manufacturing base, particularly in fabricated metals,” Thompson says.

Any vessel that passes from the Atlantic Ocean through Lake Ontario to the Upper Great Lakes goes through Port Colborne and the Welland Canal.

The port also features a short-line rail connection, which continues to expand, and is run by the city. A private rail operator, located adjacent to the community, offers rail service into the port and a number of its private facilities. This rail line connects directly to both the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific main lines.

Thompson notes ongoing activities include building and enhancing warehouse and distribution space at the port. A couple of facilities are nearing completion, which range in size from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet. The facilities can be divided, if needed. “We are also working with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. to bring more land to market along the Welland Canal,” Thompson says.

The city of Port Colborne is a key multi-logistics hub in southern Ontario with highway, rail and port infrastructure. On Niagara’s South Coast, Port Colborne is just minutes away from one of the principal border crossings between Canada and the United States. Port Colborne is a location of choice for the transportation and logistics industry; the city is where the the Welland Canal connects to Lake Erie, and is serviced by two of the largest railway networks in North America.

Port Colborne is part of Ontario’s new Gateway Economic Centre and includes an area designated as Niagara’s Economic Growth Zone. Projects are already well underway to expand transportation links and expedite the movement of goods.

Due to the Gateway Economic Centre’s proximity to the United States, import/export industries, distribution centres, and logistics hubs are choosing this strategic location. Canada’s Foreign Trade Zone flexibilities are available in Port Colborne creating an opportunity for facilities located in the Gateway Economic Centre to import and reprocess goods with reduced or eliminated tariffs, as well as programs to offset sales taxes.

Port Colborne is linked to a sophisticated highway network, with three main highways providing irect access to Port Colborne. Several highways are currently being expanded, and a new highway is being developed which creates a second connection from Port Colborne to the US border.

In addition, the Port Colborne Harbour Railway serves many industrial sites in Port Colborne, connecting its clients to CP and CN mainlines adjacent to the community.

Three international airports and four regional airports are within a two-hour drive of Port Colborne. Located within a day’s drive half of North America’s purchasing power, Port Colborne is perfectly positioned to serve Canadian and U.S. markets.

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Indiana has much to offer both business and individuals alike. The state business climate cultivates success with favorable costs, shovel-ready sites, support and expertise and a skilled workforce. Operating expenses are kept to a minimum with a competitive tax structure, low workers compensation rates and low industrial electricity. While Indiana offers an array of industry opportunities, its focus is on being a world-class center of research and manufacturing with life sciences, automobiles, energy and national security target industry sectors.

Known as the “Crossroads of America,” Indiana is traversed by more interstates than any other state in the nation and provides more than 11,000 total highway miles. Logistically ideal, the state is within a day’s drive of 80 percent of the U.S. population and supplies a vast transportation network served by three international airports, the world’s second-largest FedEx hub, a rail system with more than 4,400 miles of active railway tracks, and three marine ports on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River, each a Foreign Trade Zone.

Indiana’s population of 6,516,922 (July 1, 2011 U.S. Census Bureau estimate) has access to a well-rounded landscape of dynamic cities, nature preserves, and small-town coziness with one of the most affordable major housing markets in the nation. Indiana showcases a number of institutes of higher learning, including Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana University at Bloomington; the University of Notre Dame at South Bend and Butler University in Indianapolis. Residents can enjoy more than one million acres of land for outdoor recreation and a variety of athletic events. Indianapolis is home to the Indiana Pacers professional basketball team and the Indianapolis Colts in pro football. The city also hosts the “Indy 500”, one of the most significant motorsports events in the world and the RCA Championship men’s tennis tournament.

Investment keeps growing in Hendricks County
Half a billion dollars is a huge number. From January 2007 to December 2011, Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP) worked with communities and companies to bring $508.8 million in investment from new and existing business. In 2011 alone, there was more than $78 million. Distribution, medical device and ‘community of champions’ racing teams all help make for a strong and vibrant economy.

The attraction for local companies is simple economics as well. Hendricks County is adjacent to the Indianapolis Airport and offers a number of interstate interchanges to move product easily in all directions.  In addition, the town of Avon is home to the CSX Rail Yard.

CSX Rail Yard, Avon, IN

Consider that those same five years saw the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the near-failure and bailout of the nation’s financial services sector and a worldwide shortage of capital. While the nation’s unemployment rate moved to levels not seen for decades, local efforts resulted in the addition of 7,814 jobs. In fact, Money Magazine reported that Hendricks County is in the top 20 counties nationwide for job growth while Brownsburg and Plainfield, two of its premier communities, were recognized as best places to live.

But it’s more than simply adding jobs. Success has made it possible for more Hendricks County residents to work where they live, contributing to   personal satisfaction and a greater quality of life. Hendricks County offers top rated school systems and strong, coordinated training programs with six postgraduate facilities that provide everything from credentialing to degreed programs.

In the second half of 2012 the nation continues to face economic uncertainty. The story is different for Hendricks County. It has a vibrant, healthy economy and local leaders in both the public and private sectors who share a commitment to strengthening the area, building upon the success it’s enjoyed and enhancing the excellent quality of life Hendricks County has to offer. HCEDP will continue to play a key role in fulfilling all aspects of that commitment.

Indiana: Top Business Choice
Indiana has been a top 10 choice in best business climate opportunity rankings categories for several years now, and more recently with the passage of right-to-work legislation, is closing in on the top five.

Site selectors and real estate brokers bring Indiana a substantial percentage of new business. For years they’ve been saying that Indiana was missing out on a number of perfect-fit opportunities because of its non-right-to-work status. The current administration worked hard to change that, and after nearly six months of data collected since its passage in February, the state is seeing indicators that the industry advice was spot-on.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has moved Indiana into the right-to-work column.

Nearly half of recent attraction prospects indicated that right-to-work legislation was a major factor in their decision to consider bringing business to Indiana. And nearly a fourth of Indiana’s expansion prospects indicated that it influenced their decision to build larger facilities and hire more Hoosier workers inside the state. That might not seem like good news to advisors and brokers outside of Indiana. However, being able to tell companies looking at Indiana as a location possibility that it’s an attractive environment for new as well as existing companies—keeping them competitive for the long haul—is news worth sharing outside the state.

This kind of individual advice and expertise is every bit as important as the broader national analysis and indicators typically relied on to judge the effectiveness of economic developers. Indiana brings together state, local and community partners to leverage every resource available for a business proposal that benefits everyone. The numbers speak for themselves about the results of Indiana’s increasingly sound fiscal policies, but they tell only part of a compelling story about its state of business. The rest of the story is about Indiana’s commitment to listening to what individual businesses need in order to be successful, and doing everything possible to make that happen.

Comments and suggestions about what can be improved to make Indiana a destination of choice for your business can be sent to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation at IEDC@iedc.in.gov.

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A boardwalk through marshes leads to the Bodie Island Light in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The Carolinas, well known for their creative climate and low-cost business environment, are now an East Coast engine for growth hitting on all cylinders. North Carolina and South Carolina are busy certifying shovel-ready sites and pioneering new incentives.

In South Carolina, the focus also is on creative workforce development strategies. The South Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to meeting a business’ specific workforce needs. The Department of Commerce’s Workforce Division and the readySC™ program, offered through the S.C. Technical College System, coordinate training needs at no cost for eligible new or expanding companies throughout the state. The readySC™ program works with the state’s 16 technical colleges to develop training curriculum tailored to meet a company’s workforce requirements. More than a quarter-million workers have been trained since the nationally recognized program’s inception.

South Carolina won Business Facilities’ 2009 Deal of the Year Award for N. Charleston’s selection as the location for Boeing’s second final assembly plant for the 787 Dreamliner commercial airplane.

Across the state line to the north, Gov. Bev Perdue recently established the North Carolina Innovation Council to foster strategic investments and policies in the growing knowledge and innovation economy. The North Carolina Innovation Council is part of Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative. Through JobsNOW, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a sustainable economic future.

“To continue growing jobs in North Carolina, we must make sure this state is poised to compete globally in the 21st century,” says Perdue. “Innovation is North Carolina’s launch pad to success in the global economy, and it’s a primary way for us to maintain and sharpen our competitive edge.”

“Business leaders know we are listening to them and working aggressively to meet their needs,” Perdue says. “Companies know that in North Carolina they will find top-quality talent, world-class infrastructure, a pro-business environment and premier education institutions. North Carolina is simply a great place to do business.”

NC Public Power: Leading the Way to Economic Recovery

As business leaders around the world continue to scan the daily headlines for encouraging economic news, at least one is already seeing signs that the global crisis has finally run its course.

“We’ve seen a measurable uptick in interest and activity over the last year and a half,” said Brenda Daniels, economic development manager for ElectriCities, a not-for-profit government service organization representing North Carolina cities and towns that own electric distribution systems.

Daniels isn’t overly surprised to find her organization’s membership playing the role of leading economic indicator.

“Companies that come out of the gate fastest and strongest after a recession are typically those that are most focused on efficiency and cost control,” she said, speaking from ElectriCities headquarters in Raleigh. “Not coincidentally, efficiency and cost control are two areas in which we excel.”

Daniels explained that one of ElectriCities’ many roles is to represent member communities to expanding and relocating companies. Her staff maintains comprehensive databases for all 70+ public power municipalities in North Carolina.

As easily as flipping a switch, a site selection professional can order detailed reports on dozens of North Carolina sites, from mountains to coast. Within 48 hours of a request, ElectriCities will send profiles of locations that precisely match the company’s specifications.

Daniels emphasized that the process is “fast, efficient, and entirely confidential.” Using ElectriCities as an introduction to North Carolina, site search managers have a turnkey information source. “They find all the information they need in one place.” ElectriCities’ staff produces a full profile that details infrastructure, site availability (including site and building photos), labor and even lifestyle data such as schools, hospitals and golf courses.

ElectriCities remains a partner through the entire process, helping companies with utility related issues, arranging site visits, and facilitating contact with local, county and state officials.

There’s another key factor that’s making the phones ring at ElectriCities: the availability, reliability and affordability of North Carolina public power.

“It’s no coincidence that some of the state’s most dynamic growth has occurred in our public power communities,” said Daniels. “Advanced manufacturing, food processing, metal-working, plastics—any power-intensive industry is going to find significant advantages here.”

Companies based in ElectriCities member communities recognize the cost efficiencies and superior customer service public power provides. Municipal utilities don’t have to pay dividends to shareholders, and those savings can be passed on to the utilities’ customers. Both ElectriCities and the member utilities work closely with companies to help them manage their power usage and keep costs down.

Businesses are also happy to have the personal touch public power provides. “Customers always tell us, we’d much rather work with you. We can call somebody, we can get an answer,” said Larry Cranford, electric department director in Statesville, an ElectriCities member community. “That doesn’t happen with other power providers.”

Daniels believes the optimism she sees is also driven by North Carolina itself, which is renowned for its pro-business climate, excellent job training programs, and low labor costs. “People just expect North Carolina to bounce back faster and stronger than other places.”

She cited the examples of Lubrimetal Corp, which will locate in Granite Falls creating 19 jobs and investing $1.9 million. Also Freightliner/Daimler Trucks in Gastonia will expand with 100 new jobs. “The recent decisions of these companies to locate and expand here shows a lot of confidence in North Carolina and our public power communities.”

North Carolina is perhaps the only state that’s perennially ranked among both the best states for business AND the best places to live. People and companies alike are drawn to the Tar Heel State’s outstanding universities, its beaches and its Blue Ridge Mountains, the low cost of living and doing business, and its temperate four-season climate.

To learn more, call Brenda Daniels at ElectriCities toll-free 1-800-768-7697 est. 6363 or mobile 919-218-7027; email bdaniels@electricities.org; or visit www.electricities.com.

Workforce Quality: The Key To Growth In Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, NC keeps popping up in conversations among site consultants, economic development professionals and, most importantly, business leaders looking to expand or relocate their operations. And for good reason.

In particular, Winston-Salem has become a prime spot for several key industries: life sciences and health care; advanced manufacturing; financial services; and a growing presence in logistics and data centers. Why? Location helps, along with a robust infrastructure. However, it is the overall combination of several unique qualities and attributes that gets us into the game.

The way community and business leader, educational institutions, city and county government organizations all work together is a true difference maker in creating an ideal, pro-business climate in Winston-Salem. This ability to easily collaborate allows area leadership to both serve the community’s best interests and nurture business development.

The latest example of the community’s collaborative spirit is Wake Forest Biotech Place, a state-of-the-art multipurpose biotechnology research and innovation center. The new research facility is a world-class 242,000-square-foot redeveloped historic structure. This modern biotech research laboratory opened in early 2012 and is where internationally recognized researchers are pioneering new fields of medicine. However, the redevelopment of the property was only possible through close collaboration among Wake Forest Baptist Health, Piedmont Triad Research Park, Wexford Science & Technology, government, community and business leaders.

As every economic development professional knows, getting these community “planets” to align anywhere is, at best, difficult. The fact that Winston-Salem does it on a consistent basis is downright extraordinary. The combination of available workforce and advanced education programs puts Winston-Salem on many companies’ short lists for expansion and relocation. The training programs being developed by Forsyth Technical Community College have even attracted the attention of the last two Presidents of the Unites States, with both dropping by for visits during their respective terms.

A prime example is Caterpillar’s decision to build an advanced manufacturing facility here in Winston-Salem. Workforce availability, customizable training and education capabilities, coupled with an ideal site and sensible business incentives, all combined to make the decision an easy one for Caterpillar management.

Winston-Salem comes by its creative culture honestly. Dating back to its origin as a Moravian settlement, the city has always placed a high value on the arts. Through the early 20th century, that creativity led to innovation in manufacturing that transformed the area into a booming industrial center. The resulting prosperity brought with it the development of new avenues for creativity, such as the founding of the first Arts Council in the nation in Winston-Salem.

Today, examples of Winston-Salem’s culture of creativity can be seen throughout the community—along the Arts District on Trade Street, in the galleries of the numerous art museums, at performances of the UNC School of the Arts, Milton Rhodes Fine Arts Center, Winston-Salem Symphony and other organizations. The most striking effects of this culture of creativity, however, reach well beyond the art world. The area’s long-standing emphasis on creativity has spawned innovations in life sciences, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

Consider the well-publicized advances of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, for instance, where scientific discovery meets real world clinical applications. The groundbreaking research teams at the institute created the world’s first laboratory-engineered organ—bladder tissue that has been successfully implanted in children and adults—and are working to engineer more than 20 different organs and tissues. Breakthroughs like these happen not by accident, but when the right people and resources come together in an environment that encourages expression and creativity. And it is no accident that the institute anchors one corner of Piedmont Triad Research Park, Downtown Winston-Salem’s urban research campus.

On their own, each of the qualities we’ve described makes a huge difference in Winston-Salem’s success. And, depending on the industry, one of the attributes may provide the tipping point for the city getting chosen for a business’s expansion or relocation plans. Together, though, collaboration, workforce quality and innovation make Winston-Salem stand out as a place where businesses thrive. For more information on Winston-Salem, visit www.wsbusinessinc.com or contact Winston-Salem Business, Inc., at 336-723-8955.

Oconee County Is Reinventing Itself

Oconee County is no longer Upstate South Carolina’s best kept secret. The message of a business climate built for success is spreading thanks to being home to Fortune 500 Companies such as Duke Energy Corporation, Johnson Controls, Inc., Sandvik, US Engine Valve, Schneider Electric and BorgWarner Automotive. Steeped in history and tradition, Oconee County is home to natural beauty, a low cost of living, a pro-business atmosphere and unparalleled access to the United States.

Not many communities can match the wonderful climate in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with which Oconee County is blessed. The area also has world class lakes—Hartwell, Jocassee and Keowee and premiere rivers—Chattooga, Keowee and Chauga so there is plenty to do from an outdoor sports perspective.

Along with the abundant recreational choices, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the culture and fine arts of the communities. Thanks to close neighbors Clemson University, the cities of Greenville and Anderson even more entertainment is available. If quality of life is a driving factor for a personal or business choice, then look no further.

South Carolina is a mere two days’ drive from nearly 208 million Americans—a whopping two-thirds of the United States population. Oconee County is well-positioned midway between Atlanta and Charlotte. Market access along the Interstate 85 Corridor is one of the strengths Oconee has to offer. Whether it is an expansion opportunity or relocation decision, Oconee County has a proven record that it possesses a competitive advantage when it comes to the right location.

Many in the business and economic development community have found that the State of South Carolina has a top-ranked business climate. The cost of living is about 10 percent lower than the national average and there is a solid foundation for business growth due to low taxation.

In addition to the pro-business environment, companies come to South Carolina for its ready-trained workforce––ranked No. 6 in the country by CNBC. The state’s northwestern-most county offers companies a workforce that is trained with a strong work ethic. The remnants of the textile age have instilled in the people a knack for being hard-working and dependable. With new career choices emerging, a partnership with the local technical school has proven valuable in getting the Oconee County workforce of tomorrow ready today.

When you take that fact and combine it with location, you will understand why Oconee County is coming off one of its’ best years for economic development announcements. BASF recently made the decision to invest $60 million dollars in expanding their operations at the Seneca, SC plant. BorgWarner Torqtransfer Systems, Inc. continues to invest in Oconee County having completed a$25 million dollar expansion this spring.

These recent successes have helped to usher in a new outlook towards economic development from the County perspective with investment in a speculative shell building to entice new business and new opportunities for job creation. Oconee County is also in the process of developing two new industrial parks, one on SC Highway 11 and the other along Interstate 85.

Oconee County is in a period of profound transformation and has a powerful opportunity to reinvent itself. As the global economy continues to improve, the county will be in position to meet the demands of the future. To learn more about South Carolina’s western-most county and the opportunities it boasts, visit www.oconeeSCedc.

NC Electric Cooperative: Providing Statewide Service

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people across North Carolina in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. The 26 electric cooperatives are private, independent and not-for-profit entities committed to providing a high standard of service to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers with at-cost electric service. Each of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives is governed by a board of directors elected from its membership. Members are also owners. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives emphasize the importance of community involvement, integrity, accountability and innovation.

The North Carolina Electric Cooperative serves a power distribution territory covering more than 23,000 square miles, nearly half of the state’s land.

Since 1995, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have helped bring more than 14,600 jobs and $903 million of economic investment to the state.

When North Carolina farmers and their neighbors formed cooperatives in the 1930s and 1940s to supply themselves with electric power, they intended to improve more than the quality of their lives and work. They also knew they were contributing to the development of their communities.

Since then, this network of electric cooperatives has become a major force in North Carolina’s economy. Cooperatives are not-for-profit corporations owned by members—the people and businesses they serve. Members democratically elect their cooperative’s board of directors, who set policy and supervise the operations of the business. Revenue that is not required for general operations, infrastructure and system stability is returned to members in the form of capital credits or member dividends. In North Carolina in the 1930s and 1940s, local citizens organized cooperatives to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric power to homes and businesses that other utilities were unable to serve.

North Carolina’s network of 27 electric cooperatives serves nearly 30 percent of the state’s population, some 2.4 million people, with more than 860,000 accounts. Our power distribution territory covers approximately 23,800 square miles, nearly half the state’s land area, in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.

In 1949, we formed a statewide cooperative to acquire and supply wholesale electrical power to cooperatives collectively. The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) today helps to meet the power requirements of 26 of the state’s 27 cooperatives. NCEMC owns a 56.25 percent share of the Catawba Nuclear Station in York, S.C., one of the most efficient nuclear generating facilities in the nation. NCEMC also owns two diesel-powered generators that provide peak-load and emergency power to the Outer Banks.

Today, the total assets of the cooperatives combined is more than $5 billion.

Nationwide, 864 electric cooperatives serve more than 39 million members in 47 states. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives also are part of the 600-plus electric co-ops who have chosen to join Touchstone Energy, a nationwide coalition of cooperatives who pledge to adhere to our core values of integrity, innovation, accountability, and commitment to community.

Besides providing reliable electric power to members and their communities, North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives have been heavily involved in overall regional economic development. Activities range from small business assistance to establishing industrial parks, from encouraging local educational and health care initiatives to supporting non-profit social services and neighbors in need.

The direct impact includes providing local employment, investing in our systems and staffs (which involves day-to-day commerce with other businesses and families), returning capital credits dividends to members, and direct funding of local and regional economic development projects. Each dollar that cooperatives spend, of course, is multiplied in its effect as those dollars make their way through the economy, spurring further productivity, income, employment and investment. Direct financial support from the state’s electric cooperatives is conveyed to business development, education, civic and community projects, and energy-efficiency and housing.

About 55 percent of cooperatives’ direct community spending supports local industrial and business development, that provides employment and creates goods and services. Programs include low interest loans and business opportunity grants, including the zero-interest Rural Economic Development Loans available  through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

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By Dominique Cantelme

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