< Previous124 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NMaine Dept. of Econ. & Community Dev.59 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333George GervaisCOMMISSIONER207-624-9800Legislative Update• The Maine legislature did not act on economic development-related measures in 2018. However, the ConnectME Authority developed a Statewide Broadband Action Plan in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) through collaboration with broadband experts, communities, input from stakeholders and review of models utilized in other states. The Action Plan sets forth initiatives that will ensure Maine’s broadband needs are met within ve years of initial funding and envisions meaningful local, state, federal and private-sector investment.• The ConnectME Authority is a public instrumentality of Maine state government, whose mission is to facilitate the universal availability of broadband to Maine households and businesses. Broadband is a key element to many economic and community development goals including business and workforce attraction.• A federal omnibus bill that includes $600 million for rural broadband nationally was recently passed and will be allocated through USDA Rural Development. Maine is prepared to compete for a portion of that funding. Federal money coupled with state and private investment is an aggressive start to getting Maine businesses and residents connected through infrastructure expansion.maine.gov/decd“It’s time for a new direction — with bold and forward-looking proposals that will jumpstart economic growth. My economic action plan will accomplish that by supporting small businesses, developing our workforce, welcoming home Mainers to live and work here again, and rebuilding our rural communities.”— Gov.-elect Janet Mills, September 18, 2018, presenting her plan for “A New Prosperity” at precision manufacturer Kennebec Technologies in Augusta, MaineHigher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $122,740Number of NCRCs: 136 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 7.9%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: 0Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 8.58Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.84GDP43rd2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$55,598.8-1.0-0.50.00.51.01.52.020172016201520142013MainePop. (2018): 1,376,094 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.39%Median household income: $53,150 Median age: 45Credit Rating: AA/Stable Right-to-work state: NoDid You Know?Maine has four intermodal freight facilities in Saco, Portland, Auburn and Waterville.Dove Tail Bats, in Shirley Mills, supplies all 30 Major League Baseball teams with bats made from native ash and birch. More than 20 breweries opened in 2017; the industry employs more than 2,100 Mainers.Selected Corporate Facility Projects 2018 NEW/ INVESTMENTCOMPANY CITY COUNTY TYPE EXPANDED PRODUCT (US$ M) EMPNordic Aquafarms As Belfast Waldo MF N Food & Beverage 150 60Idexx Laboratories Westbrook Cumberland HQ/RD E Life Sciences 62 600Lignaterra Global Millinocket Penobscot MF N Wood Products 30 100Tyler Technologies Yarmouth Cumberland OF E IT & Comm. 28 Ready Seafood Co. Saco York MF/DW/RD N Food & Beverage 10 40Katahdin Railcar Services/Central Maine & Quebec Railway US Milo Piscataquis DW N Transport & Logistics 7 Downeast Institute For Applied Marine Research And Education Beals Washington RD E Life Sciences 6.6 T&D Wood Energy Sanford York MF N Wood Products 5.7 Bristol Seafood Holdings Portland Cumberland MF/DW E Food & Beverage 5 40Pineland Farms Dairy Co. Bangor Penobscot MF E Food & Beverage 50DT = Data Center | MF = Manufacturing | OF = Of ce | HQ = Headquarters | RD = Research & Development | DW = Distribution/Warehouse126 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NMaryland Department of Commerce401 East Pratt StreetBaltimore, MD 21202R. Michael GillSECRETARY410-767-6300Legislative Update• Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation in May that will build on the success of the administration’s More Jobs for Marylanders Act, passed in 2017. The program incentivizes manufacturing companies to create jobs in areas with higher unemployment by providing a tax credit for each new job created. The 2018 legislation expands the program to additional jurisdictions, including Garrett, Caroline, Kent, and Wicomico Counties.• The Small Business Relief Tax Credit (SB 134) will aid employers in providing bene ts to their employees, and the Cybersecurity Incentive Tax Credits (SB 228) will encourage investment in the state’s cybersecurity industry and further solidify Maryland’s position as the cyber capital of America.• The PRIME Act, which the governor introduced following Montgomery County’s selection as one of 20 potential locations for Amazon’s HQ2, provides $3 billion in tax credits and exemptions if Amazon had located in Maryland. It would have allowed the company to retain a portion of wages paid to employees, which would otherwise go toward state income taxes.commerce.maryland.gov“We certainly couldn’t imagine Old Bay [seasoning] being made anywhere else.”— Gov. Larry Hogan on October 2 at the grand opening of McCormick & Co.’s new, 350,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Hunt Valley. The project retains 1,000 jobs in Baltimore County.GDP15th2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$363,027.90.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.520172016201520142013Did You Know?Johns Hopkins University ranks rst among U.S. colleges and universities in total National Institutes of Health awards, including grants and contracts for research, development, training and fellowships ($651.8 million).Maryland ranks fth and is an “Innovation Champion” according to the Consumer Technology Association’s 2018 Innovation Scorecard. The ranking is based on 12 criteria that include sensible tax structures and policies allowing cutting-edge technologies and new business models to ourish, all of which creates high-quality jobs and healthy economic growth. Maryland is second in the nation with 16 higher education institutions designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense education and research.Selected Corporate Facility Projects 2018 NEW/ INVESTMENTCOMPANY CITY COUNTY TYPE EXPANDED PRODUCT (US$ M) EMPMcCormick & Co. Hunt Valley Baltimore HQ N Food & Beverage 170 Diageo Arbutus Baltimore MF N Food & Beverage 90 200Southwest Airlines Co. Baltimore City of Baltimore DW N Transport & Logistics 80 Emergent Biosolutions Baltimore City of Baltimore MF E Life Sciences 50 60Ring Container Technologies Hagerstown Washington MF N Chemicals & Plastics 7 18Stanley Black & Decker Towson Baltimore OF N Metals 2 400Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. Bethesda Montgomery OF N Business & Financial Services 1 Bank Of America Corp. Hunt Valley Baltimore OF E Business & Financial Services 600Kuehne + Nagel Perryman Harford DW N Transport & Logistics 225Paragon Bioservices Anne Arundel MF N Life Sciences 200Navistar Direct Marketing Frederick Frederick OF/MF N Business & Financial Services 200Vitreon America Baltimore City of Baltimore HQ/RD N Life Sciences 200Cybrary College Park Prince George’s HQ N Business & Financial Services 200DT = Data Center | MF = Manufacturing | OF = Of ce | HQ = Headquarters | RD = Research & Development | DW = Distribution/WarehouseFiscal Condition Index RankHigher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $4,020,423Number of NCRCs: 748 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 23.2%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: 0Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 7.952018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.33MarylandPop. (2018): 6,119,186 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.68%Median household income: $79,833 Median age: 39Credit Rating: AAA/Stable Right-to-work state: No128 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NMichigan Economic Development Corporation300 N. Washington SquareLansing, Michigan 48913Jeff MasonCEO517-241-1400Legislative Update• In June, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law the framework of the Marshall Plan for Talent. Designed to connect employers with educators to pair students with in-demand careers, the Marshall Plan encourages apprenticeships and mentorships with an educational focus on certi cations and occupational licensing. Among other provisions, Senate Bills 941 and 942 will:• Set aside $100 million to prepare students for the 21st century economy, including $10.5 million for career navigators, who are dedicated to help guide students toward their career and associated academic goals;• Let schools change the way they educate students, using a competency-based approach that results in high-demand skills and credentials;• Create Marshall Plan Talent Consortiums - groups of educators and employers that partner to change the way students are prepared for careers; and• Establish the Innovative Educator Corps, a group of innovative educators nominated by their local schools. These educators will receive stipends from the state and travel around Michigan to share their innovations with others.Michiganbusiness.org“You can be both progressive and want to get things done — they’re not mutually exclusive, and that’s what I bring.”— Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer in a profile by The New York Times, Nov. 8, 2018GDP14th2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$458,813.50.00.51.01.52.02.520172016201520142013Did You Know?The University Research Corridor, an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, retained its second place standing in 2016 for the fourth straight year in the Innovation Power Ranking among the nations most respected innovation clusters.The University Research Corridor, an alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, retained its second place standing in 2016 for the fourth straight year in the Innovation Power Ranking among the nations most respected innovation clusters.Three global autonomous vehicle testing facilities: Mcity, at the University of Michigan; the American Center for Mobility; and the GM Mobility Research Center at Kettering University are located in Michigan.Selected Corporate Facility Projects 2018 NEW/ INVESTMENTCOMPANY CITY COUNTY TYPE EXPANDED PRODUCT (US$ M) EMPFiat Chrysler Automobiles Nv Warren Macomb MF E Automotive 1,000 2,500Ford Motor Company Wayne Wayne MF E Automotive 850 Dairy Farmers Of America/Select Milk Producers/Glanbia Nutritionals Saint Johns Clinton MF N Food & Beverage 470 250P zer Portage Kalamazoo MF N Life Sciences 465 450Flex-N-Gate Corp. Detroit Wayne MF N Automotive 160 230Amazon.Com Gaines Charter Township Kent DW N Electronics 150 1,000Gerdau Macsteel Monroe Monroe MF E Metals 115 Stryker Corp. Portage Kalamazoo MF E Life Sciences 109 260Arconic Whitehall Muskegon MF E Metals 104 45Gentex Corp. Zeeland Ottawa DW E Consumer Products 100 250Proliant Dairy Saint Johns Clinton MF N Food & Beverage 85 38Loc Performance Products Plymouth Wayne MF E Machinery, Equip. & Const. 72 700DT = Data Center | MF = Manufacturing | OF = Of ce | HQ = Headquarters | RD = Research & Development | DW = Distribution/WarehouseHigher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $2,662,045Number of NCRCs: 636,275 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 1.6%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: -1Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 7.20Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.38MichiganPop. (2018): 10,057,191 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.25%Median household income: $53,680 Median age: 40Credit Rating: AA/Stable Right-to-work state: Yes130 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NMinnesota Dept. of Employment & Econ. Dev.1st National Bank Bldg.332 Minnesota St., Suite #E200Saint Paul, MN 55101Shawntera HardyCOMMISSIONER651-259-7114Legislative Update• Governor Mark Dayton signed in May to ensure Minnesota’s public employee pension plans remain solvent. The new law requires public employees, retirees, and state government to all collectively share the burden of ensuring the long-term solvency of the plans.• Before the enactment of this legislation, the State of Minnesota faced $16.2 billion in unfunded liabilities (future debt) for public pensions. The bill signed by Governor Dayton places the State of Minnesota on a path to fully fund state pensions within 30 years. In addition, the new law will immediately eliminate $3.4 billion in unfunded liabilities to ensure the security of workers’ hard-earned pensions and strengthen the state’s long-term scal security.positivelyminnesota.com“These meetings set the tone for how we want to govern — in a way that makes people feel welcome, seen, and heard, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Building One Minnesota means working across lines of difference to get things done, and healthy, open conversations are the start.”— Gov.-elect Tim Walz, after a post-election, 2,100-mile listening tour with Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan featuring 23 events in five days in locations in every corner of the stateGDP17th2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$322,376.40.00.51.01.52.02.520172016201520142013Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $968,784Number of NCRCs: 25,924 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 3.5%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: +2Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 8.26Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.67MinnesotaPop. (2018): 5,657,912 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.84%Median household income: $65,887 Median age: 39Credit Rating: AAA/Stable Right-to-work state: No S I T E S E L E C T I O N JANUARY 2019 131New Jersey Econ. Dev. Authority36 West State StreetTrenton, NJ 08625Timothy LizuraPRESIDENT/COO609-858-6700Njeda.com“The presence of global life sciences companies like Teva Pharmaceuticals is critical to New Jersey’s ability to strengthen a thriving innovation ecosystem.”— Gov. Phil Murphy on July 5th commenting on the Israeli pharmaceutical company’s announcement that it would locate its U.S. headquarters in Parsippany-Troy HillsLegislative Update• The scal year 2019 budget signed into law imposes a surtax on corporation business tax liability, decouples certain provisions from Internal Revenue Code and imposes tax on certain dividends.• The Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act provides lm and television production companies with business tax and gross income tax credits for certain expenses incurred while lming in New Jersey. The legislation will encourage production companies to locate in New Jersey, spurring economic growth and industry development.• In July, Governor Phil Murphy announced two important tools — the Incubator and Collaborative Workspace Rent Initiative (ICWRI) and a modernized Research and Development (R&D) tax credit to support new and established high-tech companies in growing the Garden State’s Innovation Economy.2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$546,500.10.00.51.01.52.020172016201520142013GDP8thHigher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $1,253,256Number of NCRCs: 786 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 1.8%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: 0Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 10.26Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 2.84New JerseyPop. (2018): 9,112,878 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.43%Median household income: $78,126 Median age: 40Credit Rating: A-/Stable Right-to-work state: NoGovernor’s Of ce of Econ. Dev.State Capitol, Of ce 234Box 200801Helena, MT 59620Ken FichtlerCHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER406-444-5634business.mt.gov“The effectiveness of Jobs for Montana’s Graduates is remarkable, and it’s one to be celebrated by students, families, teachers and communities across the state. ”— Gov. Steve Bullock on November 29th, on the program’s being awarded a national performance awardLegislative Update• The Montana Legislature only meets in odd-numbered years, so no new legislation was enacted in 2018.• In September, Governor Steve Bullock and Lt. Governor Mike Cooney launched a new initiative of the Main Street Montana Project that will focus on building economic opportunities in small towns and rural and tribal communities in Montana. The state’s leaders will be developing new partnerships with leaders, businesses, local organizations and community members in rural communities to bridge resource and capacity gaps, address challenges unique to rural Montana, and connect communities to share opportunities.• In 2013, Governor Bullock launched the Main Street Montana Project and engaged public and private sectors in a partnership to implement a business plan for Montana by Montanans and provide direction for Montana’s economic future.Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $229,206Number of NCRCs: 1,792 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 1.9%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: 0Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 5.03Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 2.01MontanaPop. (2018): 1,068,947 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 1.00%Median household income: $50,833 Median age: 41Credit Rating: AA/Stable Right-to-work state: No2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$44,410.7-1.0-0.50.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.020172016201520142013GDP48th132 JANUARY 2019 SI T E S E L E C T IO NMississippi Development Authority501 North West StreetJackson, MS 39201Glenn McCullough, Jr.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR601-359-3449Legislative UpdateAmong bills into law in 2018 by Gov. Bryant: • HB 393 revises the powers and duties of the State Inland Port Authority.• HB 1607 revises the powers and duties of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to assist the Department of Environmental Quality with economic viability assessments.• SB 2479 reduces the eligible amount for a fee-in-lieu from $100 million to $60 million.• SB 2773 appropriates money to MDA for the National Diabetes and Obesity Research Center contract with the Cleveland Clinic, the Greenville Airport, and the Air Service Development Act.• SB 2968 appropriates money to MDA to reimburse the Of ce of State Aid Road Construction;• SB 2996 appropriates money to fund MDA.• SB 2998 exempts certain rotary-wing aircraft from sales tax.Mississippi.org“Furniture manufacturing is an important economic driver in North Mississippi, and Williams-Sonoma’s decision to open a new Sutter Street Manufacturing facility in Lee County — along with 350 new jobs — bolsters this important sector in our state.”— Gov. Phil Bryant, on the manufacturer’s expansion announcement on December 6thHigher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $479,122Number of NCRCs: 101,608 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 30.0%Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2018-2019: -2Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 6.09Fiscal Condition Index Rank2018 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.54GDP36th2017 GDP(in millions of current US$)$100,139.5-0.2-0.10.00.10.20.30.420172016201520142013MississippiPop. (2018): 3,051,594 Pop. growth 2018–2023: 0.27%Median household income: $42,371 Median age: 37Credit Rating: AA/Stable Right-to-work state: YesDid You Know?Mississippi’s 15 community colleges offer 26,403 training classes and serve more than 550 companies with customized training solutions.Mississippi’s top ve export destination countries in 2017 were Canada ($2.2. billion), Mexico ($1 billion), Panama ($855 million), China ($564 million) and Guatemala ($420 million).Tourism accounts for an estimated 86,600 direct jobs in Mississippi; it’s the state’s fourth-largest private sector employer and one of the state’s largest export industries.Selected Corporate Facility Projects 2018 NEW/ INVESTMENTCOMPANY CITY COUNTY TYPE EXPANDED PRODUCT (US$ M) EMPContinental Tire The Americas Clinton Hinds MF N Chemicals & Plastics 1,450 2,500Toyota Motor Corp. Blue Springs Union MF E Automotive 170 400Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi Guntown Lee MF E Chemicals & Plastics 100 50Raytheon Co. Forest Scott MF/RD E Aerospace 100 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Byhalia Marshall DW N Chemicals & Plastics 50 100Peco Foods West Point Clay MF/DW N Food & Beverage 40 300Nufarm Americas Greenville Washington MF N Chemicals & Plastics 20 68Fastenal Co. Gluckstadt Madison DW N Machinery, Equip. & Const. 12 60Uni ed Brands Vicksburg Warren MF N Machinery, Equip. & Const. 10 425Richardson Molding Philadelphia Neshoba MF E Chemicals & Plastics 5 53Seemann Composites Gulfport Harrison MF N Transport & Logistics 5 46Industrial Wood Products Vicksburg Warren MF E Wood Products 2 50Vertex Aerospace Madison Madison HQ N Aerospace 1 70Bradbury Logistics & Services Aberdeen Monroe MF N Metals 1 150Horne Ridgeland Madison HQ N Business & Financial Services Dsv Solutions/DSV A/S Horn Lake DeSoto DW N Transport & Logistics DT = Data Center | MF = Manufacturing | OF = Of ce | HQ = Headquarters | RD = Research & Development | DW = Distribution/WarehouseNext >