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Georgia Lands First Tier 1 Supplier For Kia Facility In West Point |
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In this issue, you can read about how the aerospace industry is taking off in the region. Governor Sonny Perdue was in Columbus to announce expansions at Precision Components International (PCI) and Cessna Aircraft. The Kia supplier initiative is keeping us very busy. To date, we have met with more than 10 companies looking at locations in the Valley Partnership. One of the hottest locations continues to be the new NorthWest Harris Business Park, located just a few miles from the Kia site. Two new companies have already announced their plans to locate in the park. We are confident that there will be more announcements in the near future. From a marketing perspective, we are focused on enhancing our presence internationally. During the past month, we have met with representatives from Canada, France, Korea, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Spain and the United States. We are definitely making our mark on the global economic development scene. You can find details of these activities and more in this Fall 2007 edition of our newsletter. We welcome your feedback. You can reach me by phone at (706) 327-1566 or by email at bhardin@columbusgachamber.com. Take care,
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| Cessna Breaks Ground On Columbus
Expansion
"As Cessna grows in Columbus, it's evident that Georgia is a true power in the aerospace industry," said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at the press conference on the site. "Our talented workforce and good business climate present distinct advantages in this target industry." In 1996, Cessna began its Columbus operations to support increased production rates in Wichita and Independence, Kansas. Cessna Columbus employees manufacture detail parts and assemblies for Cessna's line of single engine pistons, Caravans and business jets. In 2001 Cessna moved newly acquired McCauley Propeller Systems to Columbus from Dayton, Ohio. "When we came to Columbus in 1996, there were about 70 employees here, and now there are almost 600," said Ron Alberti, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain. "The strength of the workforce and the business climate in Muscogee County provides a terrific environment in which to grow our business, and we expect strong job growth as our business expands. Georgia's Quick Start training program and the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce have been instrumental in allowing us to expand over the past 11 years." |
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Precision Components International Announces Expansion
"Georgia's top-ranked business climate continues to stimulate the growth of innovative companies like PCI," said Governor Perdue. "The company can count on having access to the skilled workforce and logistics it needs by choosing to expand right here in Georgia." PCI produces forged and machined components with a current workforce of 400. The company is expanding its Macon Road facility by 60,000 square feet after winning major military and civilian jet blades contracts. "PCI has flourished in Columbus and we knew
we could find the skilled workers we need to expand here," said
Dr. Yair Raz, general manager of PCI. Mike Gaymon, president of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said, "Just as PCI is successful at diversifying their customers' base, the Columbus region is doing the same by ensuring that international companies choose to locate and to expand, creating diversification of our business mix with top quality jobs." |
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| Aviation Business Flying High
On the heels of the Cessna and PCI announcements, Becca Hardin and Brian Sillitto participated in the Georgia Aerospace Partnership Program. The objective of this partnership is to bring aerospace companies from around the world together to network and do business. Hardin and Sillitto met with representatives from Canada, France and the United Kingdom.
This meeting was a prelude to the 60th Annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Conference which was held this year in Atlanta. The Valley Partnership teamed up with the State of Georgia to sponsor a booth celebrating the state's centennial of flight. Over 32,000 people attended the three-day trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center. With over 1,100 exhibitors, it was a tremendous opportunity for the region to make contacts with several aerospace companies. |
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| Georgia Lands First Tier 1 Supplier For Kia
Facility In West Point
Governor Sonny Perdue announced on August 8 that Hyundai Mobis, a major automotive supplier for Kia Motors Corporation, will locate a facility in West Point, Georgia. The company announced that it will create 600 jobs and invest $60 million by 2010. "Signing the first supplier for Kia's Georgia operation is an important milestone for the economy of West Point and for our state," said Governor Perdue. We welcome Mobis to Georgia and are pleased that these critical automotive assemblies will be made by our talented Georgia workforce." Mobis Georgia, LLC will build front-end modules, front-rolling chassis modules, rear-chassis modules and cockpit modules, as well as front and rear bumpers and other auto parts for Kia. The Mobis facility will be built on the Kia site in West Point. The Kia assembly plant is scheduled to begin production in 2009 and produce 300,000 vehicles a year. |
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| Kia To Accept Online Applications
No official hiring date for production workers has been given, but Randy Jackson, director of human resources for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, says Kia will begin taking applications through its online site, www.kiajobsingeorgia.com, in late October or early November. Jackson anticipates the company could receive as many as 20,000 applications for the estimated 2,500 jobs. Kia has also said that at least five auto suppliers will locate in Georgia near the assembly plant, creating another 2,000 jobs. |
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| NorthWest Harris Business Park Opens Two companies announce $11 million in investments and creation of new jobs
Xpress Materials, LLC has started construction on a 50-acre site and plans to invest $10 million and create 45 jobs initially, growing to 100 jobs by 2009. IMS, Inc. announced it is investing $1 million and will employ up to 20 people at their new facility which will be built on 12 acres. The company manufactures pipe fittings and valves for water treatment and waste water. "Today is an exciting step for Harris County with the NorthWest Harris Business Park," said Carmen Cavezza, chair of the Valley Partnership. "It will provide growth and diversity of industries and jobs for the region. |
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| Around the Valley
Partnership
Cusseta-Chattahoochee Harris County Manchester Marion County Phenix City Talbot County Taylor County |
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| Joint Land Use Study Prepares for Final Public
Meetings
The third and final round of public meetings to discuss the progress of the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) and its impact on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) will be held in late October and early November in each of the seven participating counties located within a five-mile zone around Fort Benning's perimeter: Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Stewart and Talbot in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. Recommendations from the Valley Partnership sponsored JLUS will be used to safeguard the installation's military mission while ensuring that local economic development can prosper without degrading the public health, safety and welfare of surrounding communities. These recommendations will be provided to the county commissioners for consideration at which time the county commissioners will choose to accept, modify or refuse the recommendation. The meetings are being led by EDAW, which has extensive experience in developing land use compatibility strategies around military installations. For more information on the JLUS and a schedule of dates, times and locations of the upcoming public meetings, visit http://www.thevalleypartnership.com/jlus/. |
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| Sun Fresh Beverages Expanding Columbus Facility
Scott Parks (pictured at right), vice president, Corporate Manufacturing, Facilities and Operations, says that the investment in the Columbus facility will help Buffalo Rock meet the growth of non-carbonated and carbonated beverages in the Valley Partnership region. The company is adding a new bottling line capable of producing 8 to 10 million cases of product per year, hiring 50 new employees and investing $4.5 million. This brings the total number of employees at the Columbus facility to 100. Sun Fresh Beverages produces Aquafina Pure Water, along with teas and soft drinks. |
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| Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Breaks Ground in
Columbus
"We are excited to bring this new hotel to the Columbus community and chose this site in part because of the nearby National Infantry Museum, currently under construction, which we believe will truly transform this part of the city," said Sam Friedman, Chairman of AFCO Lodges, LLC. "This exciting museum complex, honoring the service and sacrifice of American soldiers, will become an important destination for people visiting from all over the world." "This project, along with the National Infantry Museum, will continue to enhance this area and support further re-development in the community," said Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington. |
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Hot Property  |
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| Is The GREAT Plan Great For Georgia?
There is a great bit of discussion across Georgia about House Resolution 900, a tax reform plan being touted by House Speaker Glenn Richardson. Known as the GREAT Plan or Georgia's Repeal of Every Ad Valorem Tax, it calls for the elimination of ad valorem taxes now being collected on all property, including land, houses, commercial property, inventory, autos, trucks, boats and planes. To replace this revenue stream, the GREAT Plan calls for a continuation of a state sales tax, in addition to a use and service tax of 4 percent. Like any piece of legislation, the GREAT Plan would have to go through the legislative process. Since HR 900 is a ballot question, it will require a "supermajority" or two-thirds vote from both the Senate and House. Take time to familiarize yourself with Speaker Richardson's plan for tax reform and what it could mean for Georgia citizens. A few interesting links are listed below.
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Wow!
What an exciting time to be a part of the Valley Partnership region!
Economic activity is at an all time high as our area experiences
tremendous growth.
Cessna
Aircraft Company, the world's largest manufacturer of general
aviation airplanes, broke ground September 19 on what will be its
third facility in Columbus. The company will invest up to $24
million to expand aircraft subassembly work, including construction
of an $11 million facility at Muscogee Technology Park. The 100,000
square-foot building is slated to be completed in August 2008.
Cessna expects to add up to 150 jobs in Columbus over the next five
years.
Governor
Sonny Perdue was in Columbus on July 25 to announce that Precision
Components International (PCI), a major supplier in the aerospace
and medical industries, will expand its Columbus facility. The
company will create 100 new jobs and invest $53 million in the
multi-phase project over the next few years.
While
construction progress continues at the Kia automotive assembly site
in West Point, there is also work being done on the Web, where the
company is preparing its online job site.
Ground
was broken July 11 on the 400-acre NorthWest Harris Business Park,
located on Highway 103 approximately five miles from the Kia site.
Two companies also announced they will be locating in the park.
Birmingham, Alabama-based Buffalo Rock Company,
one of the nation's largest food and beverage distributors,
announced on August 23 that it is expanding its Columbus bottling
facility, Sun Fresh Beverages, Inc. (formerly Southeast Canners).
At
a ceremony on July 18, AFCO Lodges, LLC., announced the start of
construction on a 120-room Suburban Extended Stay to be located on
Victory Drive in Columbus. AFCO Lodges will be investing
approximately nine million dollars and creating about 20 new jobs
with the hotel development.
Newsletter made by: Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce