< Previous144 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION The top two counties in capital investment are Fulton in Georgia (Atlanta) with $4.5 billion and Greenville in South Carolina with $1.05 billion. Next are Durham in North Carolina at $933.6 million and Guilford in North Carolina at $778.6 million. Just behind them is Montgomery in Alabama at $765 million. In new jobs created, DeKalb County, Georgia, in metro Atlanta was the runaway winner with 4,000. While automotive manufacturing continues to dominate project activity in the region, economic diversification has been the story of the past two decades along I-85 in all five states it runs through: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. One of the region’s biggest projects was announced May 2 in Montgomery, Alabama. Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, will invest $840 million to build a new data center in the state capital. The 715,000-sq.- ft., AI-optimized facility will be built close to the Hyundai automotive assembly plant near the intersection of I-85 and I-65. Shelby Stringfellow, senior vice president of industrial development at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, says that winning this project “was a long process that was very fruitful. They were able to find a great site in a great location. We had everything they needed. We had the available land, water and sewer.” Landing the South’s first Hyundai plant in Montgomery two decades ago set in motion the Meta just announced an $840 million AI-optimized data center in Montgomery, Alabama. Rendering courtesy of Meta and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce SITE SELECTION JULY 2024 145 factors that would eventually bring Meta to the area, he adds. “I-85 starts in Montgomery. I-65 and I-85 come together in Montgomery and make this a good place to produce goods,” he notes. “We are building an inland rail port that will connect with the Port of Mobile to our south. Within 24 hours, containers will be able to go from Mobile to Montgomery for pickup on trucks for delivery to wherever they need to go.” Near I-85’s other end, in Durham, North Carolina, a smaller but important project was announced June 11. That’s when IONNA LLC, an electric vehicle charging station developer, announced it would place its global headquarters in Durham, invest $10 million and create 200 high- wage jobs in the Research Triangle. At an average yearly wage of $128,457, the new jobs at IONNA in Durham will create an annual payroll of more than $20 million. IONNA is a new company that was founded by seven of the world’s top automotive manufacturers: BMW, Hyundai, General Motors, Mercedes- Benz, Kia, Honda and Stellantis. All of these firms have operations somewhere along I-85. So do Porsche, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Mack Truck, Volvo and others. As these firms continue to grow their footprint in the South, add to their manufacturing muscle and hire more workers, they also seek to capitalize on a growing population that is increasingly adopting EVs. The one thing every EV needs is access to chargers. Thanks to companies like IONNA, Georgia Power, Duke Energy and Electrify America, chargers are popping up all along the Interstate at places like Walmart, Dunkin’ and Circle K, enabling drivers to make longer trips. As for super commuter Kim Flatford, she says she has no plans to quit her long drives anytime soon. “I’ve been with the company for 33 years,” she says. “My husband and I found this fabulous community that is close to Lake Lanier. I pass the time on the road by listening to audio books, and I take the opportunity to catch up with my children. Plus, I can work on Bluetooth while driving. The commute is not a big deal when the traffic is good.” 146 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION A Technical Solution Finds Wisconsin I think it’s important for us to keep in mind that it wasn’t conflict and confusion, it was a changing marketplace, and the market changed for Foxconn,” says Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes of the pitfalls of the $10 billion, 13,000-job display panel manufacturing facility Foxconn had planned to establish in Mount Pleasant. From the original investment announcement in 2017 and the subsequent groundbreaking a year later until now, Foxconn has taken a significant step back on its original project promises. The newly established, 2,400-acre Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park never saw the proposed Generation 10.5 liquid crystal display plant come to fruition. Instead, Foxconn amended its agreement with the state in 2021 to reflect a far lower $672 million total investment, just over 1,400 jobs and a $2.05 billion (now $80 million) cut to WEDC’s performance-based tax credit incentive package. Although the company left more to be desired, Wisconsin remained flexible. Phase 1 of development produced a nearly 1-million-sq.-ft. Advanced Manufacturing Facility, a 300,000-sq.- ft. Smart Manufacturing Center, a 120,000-sq.-ft. Multipurpose Building and a High-Performance Computing Data Center Globe. While no 8K LCD display panels have been produced as of yet, the company has said it is manufacturing data servers for an undisclosed client. Fortunately, the prime location of the park, the over $2 billion invested by ALEXIS ELMORE alexis.elmore@siteselection.com Wisconsin STATE SPOTLIGHT When one door closes, Microsoft swoops in. “ Windpoint Lighthouse on Lake Michigan is located just 20 minutes from Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Photo: Getty Images (INSET) Microsoft first announced a $1 billion data center project on 315 acres of the Foxconn site in March 2023, then scaled its investment to $3.3 billion and an additional 1,000 acres eight months later. Photo courtesy of Foxconn SITE SELECTION JULY 2024 147 by Foxconn and the state into the site’s infrastructure, access to water, power and transportation, and the talent pool in Southeast Wisconsin worked to draw in another tech giant. “Once Foxconn determined that they weren’t going to use the site as anticipated, we had the opportunity then to step in and say ‘Okay, how can we bring in a company that will use the site and build the economy around there?’ and Microsoft opened that opportunity,” says Hughes. Over the past year, Microsoft has secured more than , acres of the site and plans to deliver a $ . billion data center campus by . While Microsoft has not said how many jobs will be created as a result, the company plans to ensure this region is equipped for future innovation and opportunity. An AI Crown Jewel It begins with talent. From K- through college, Microsoft will be engaged on every level to create AI- and STEM-focused programs in southeastern Wisconsin. Additionally, a new partnership with TitletownTech and the Green Bay Packers will create a fi rst of its kind AI Co- Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. e project aims to connect Microsoft’s development team to local manufacturers, entrepreneurs and other companies to explore the next generation of AI and cloud solutions for Wisconsin businesses. WEDC supported the move with a $ , grant, and an additional $ , to TitletownTech to establish an on-site offi ce for entrepreneurial and start- up outreach. “Microsoft is creating what it’s called the crown jewel of its AI ecosystem in Wisconsin,” says Hughes. “It recognizes the real opportunity around manufacturing and they want to be where that opportunity can really go to work. It’s exciting to see them say, ‘We’re going to create the largest campus in the U.S. here and we’re going to help Wisconsin manufacturers access the opportunities around AI.’ ” As operations gear up, the data center campus will welcome a -megawatt (MW) solar plant to support the project’s energy needs, while only using recycled water when cooling is required. By its completion in , the solar project, in partnership with National Grid Renewables, will extend more than , MW of solar power to the local power grid. at’s enough excess energy to power million homes. “It’s exciting to see business driving the push toward renewables,” says Hughes. “Economic development happens when renewable energy is available, and Wisconsin is well positioned. We’ve got the land and excellent energy infrastructure for energy delivery in place, so adding this is relatively straightforward.” BY THE NUMBERS WISCONSIN Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: 1,970,700 Number of NCRCs: 294,207 | % Improved 2022–23: 0.09% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2023–2024: +3 Industrial power cost per kWh: $8.49 Total Rev. as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2007-21: 103.7% 2023 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.67 Selected Top Projects by Capital Investment COMPANY CITY INVESTMENT $M A. Y. Mcdonald Mfg. Co. Dickeyville 341 Nestle Purina Petcare Co. Jeff erson 202 Wisconsin Electric Power Co. Ixonia 192 Fujifi lm Cellular Dynamics Madison 155 Westrock Co. Pleasant Prairie 140 Source: Conway Projects Database148 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION e arrival of Microsoft’s investment brings promise to the state’s growing IT ecosystem, which has made a name for itself in IT hardware manufacturing with companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise subsidiary Cray. And though Foxconn had to make the decisions necessary to fi t its operational strategy, the work put into the site proved benefi cial to current industry needs. Meanwhile, the experience with the Taiwan- based company notwithstanding, the region itself remains ripe for foreign direct investment. Over the past two years, it has welcomed Germany- based Haribo’s fi rst U.S. manufacturing plant in Pleasant Prairie, Japan-based Komatsu’s new mining equipment manufacturing facility in Milwaukee and a $ million expansion from Italy-based shipbuilder Fincantieri. A Lifesaving Investment Twenty years ago, Dr. James omson gave life to Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) from the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus. He harnessed the use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, using skin or blood stem cells in their initial pluripotent state to develop any type of human cell needed for therapeutic treatment. Fujifi lm Holdings Corporation took note of the innovative company, and in , acquired CDI for $ million as a wholly owned subsidiary. Before that time, Fujifi lm was only able to use recombinant peptides for cell generation and technologies for regenerative medicines, making this investment in CDI’s technology and knowledge vital to evolving as leader in the fi eld. We have built a strong community here, and we have been successful in retaining and attracting best-in-class talent to grow our company.” — Tom Hasegawa , CEO of Fujifi lm Cellular Dynamics, on the company’s expanded headquarters presence in Madison We have built a strong SITE SELECTION JULY 2024 149 Known today as Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), the company has stayed true to its roots in Madison, only now spreading its impact on a global scale. When looking to scale its cell therapy development and manufacturing capabilities for future growth, it was natural to bring investment back into the region. Both FCDI locations in Wisconsin and California share a $200 million expansion investment, though it is undisclosed how much each site has received. “While we of course consider our options, Wisconsin is the clear choice for our business to build our new headquarters,” says Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics CEO Tom Hasegawa. “We have built a strong community here, and we have been successful in retaining and attracting best-in- class talent to grow our company.” By 2026, FCDI will have finished construction of its new 175,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Madison, strategically located to leverage partnerships and reach customers throughout the BioMidwest region — encompassing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio. The new facility will aid the company in doubling its current manufacturing capacity. It will introduce iPSC manufacturing with three new clean room suites, process development laboratories, warehouse operations and administrative office space. The headquarters will also conduct iPSC manufacturing for R&D applications for drug discovery, drug efficacy and pharmacology, according to the official announcement. “The investment for our new campus site in Madison, Wisconsin, will create approximately 60 new jobs by the time we are fully operational in spring 2026, with the potential to add up to 200 in the future,” says Hasegawa. Filling these roles is of no concern to Hasegawa, as the company has nurtured its relationship with top local institutions such as the University of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, providing an easily accessible pool of highly skilled talent. The state has made a name for itself in the realm of biohealth, supporting over 2,000 companies and more than 51,000 employees. Madison was recently ranked by CBRE as No. 14 in the Top 25 U.S. Life Science Markets covering R&D, manufacturing and med-tech talent. Additionally, this region holds the highest concentration of microbiologists, chemists and biological technicians out of all the top 100 markets examined. Paired with Wisconsin’s low cost of living and state, local and non-profit organizational support, the region has built itself up as a hub for life sciences activity and opportunity. “There is a cluster of life sciences companies here, many of which are our customers and partners,” says Hasegawa. “This tight-knit life sciences community enables us to advance innovation in the field.” SITE SELECTION JULY 2024 151 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS For LOCATION INFORMATION or assistance in conducting a Confidential Site Search please email karen.medernach@conway.com or visit us at www.siteselection.com. PAGEPAGE Frontier Group........................................................67 https://frontier-companies.com International Economic Development Council.........................77, 150 https://www.iedconline.org/denver National Association of Realtors.........................................43 https://www.nar.realtor Site Selection Magazine...............................................IBC https://siteselection.com UNITED STATES ALABAMA AIDT l RTP...........................................................69 https://alabamartp.org Alabama Dept of Commerce............................................61 https://madeinruralalabama.com Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce ........................71 https://hsvchamber.org Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce...............................144 https://www.montgomerychamber.com ARIZONA City of Goodyear.....................................................64 https://www.developgoodyearaz.com/GSQ Greater Phoenix Economic Council .................................104-105 https://www.gpec.org SRP Electric-Salt River Project .........................................107 https://www.powertogrowphx.com ARKANSAS Arkansas Economic Development Commission ...........................25 https://www.arkansasedc.com CALIFORNIA City of Palmdale Economic Development.................................33 https://www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov CONNECTICUT MetroHartford Alliance.............................................130-131 https://metrohartford.com / https://www.cttaxstudy.com FLORIDA Central Florida Development Council ...................................84 https://www.cfdc.org Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com Greater Orlando Aviation Authority...................................78-79 https://www.orlandoairports.net GEORGIA Candler County Industrial Authority .....................................65 https://selectcandler.com Norfolk Southern Corporation....................................9,11,13,15,17 https://www.norfolksouthern.com Rowen Foundation, Inc. ................................................76 https://www.rowenlife.com Savannah Economic Development Authority.............................66 https://seda.org Select Fulton County ..................................................63 https://selectfultoncounty.com ILLINOIS National Association of Realtors.........................................43 https://www.nar.realtor INDIANA Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com Hendricks County Economic Partnership .................................47 https://hcedp.org Indiana Municipal Power Agency ........................................41 https://www.impa.com KANSAS GoTopeka Economic Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 https://www.gotopeka.com KENTUCKY Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development............................BC https://ced.ky.gov LOUISIANA Broussard Economic Development Corporation ..........................115 https://developbroussard.com / https://www.cityofbroussard.com Chennault Ind Airport Authority........................................117 https://chennault.org Louisiana Economic Development......................................113 https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov Port of Lake Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 https://portlc.com Port of New Orleans..................................................119 https://www.louisianainternationalterminal.com Port of South Louisiana ...............................................118 https://portsl.com Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance .....................111 http://www.chooseswlouisiana.com MARYLAND Maryland Marketing Partnership.....................................48-49 https://www.business.maryland.gov/industries/ cleantech-and-renewable-energy Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation..................73 https://thinkmoco.com MICHIGAN Michigan Economic Development Corporation .............................5 https://www.michiganbusiness.org Midland Business Alliance ..............................................74 https://mbami.org Oakland County Michigan ..............................................87 http://www.advantageoakland.com MISSOURI Bi-State Development .................................................38 http://www.thefreightway.com/ssm Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation .......................121 https://www.moberly-edc.com NEBRASKA York County Development Corporation ..................................54 https://www.yorkdevco.com152 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION NEW JERSEY Choose New Jersey, Inc................................................125 http://thisisnewjersey.com Middlesex County Office of Economic & Business Development ........122-123 https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov NEW YORK Centerstate CEO ......................................................55 https://centerstateceo.com Frontier Group........................................................67 https://frontier-companies.com Rockefeller Group ....................................................127 https://www.rockefellergroup.com NORTH CAROLINA Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership Association.........141 https://chooseclevelandcountync.com Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina ....................109 http://allinnc.com Piedmont Triad Airport Authority .......................................35 https://landatpti.com OHIO City of Dublin Economic Development ...................................75 http://dublintakescareofbusiness.com Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com OKLAHOMA Ardmore Development Authority.......................................139 https://www.ardmoredevelopment.com OREGON Business Oregon ......................................................53 www.biz.oregon.gov SOUTH CAROLINA Cherokee County Development Board ..................................143 https://cherokeecountydevelopmentboard.com Duke Energy...........................................................7 http://locationdukeenergy.com Oconee Economic Alliance ............................................145 https://oconeealliance.org TENNESSEE Tennessee Valley Authority.............................................37 https://tvasites.com TEXAS AR-TX Regional Economic Development Inc.........................Postcard https://artxredi.com Development Corporation of Abilene .................................26-27 http://developedinabi.com Frisco Economic Development Corporation...............................57 https://friscoedc.com Odessa Development Corporation.......................................45 http://www.only-odessa.com Pflugerville Community Development Corporation .....................30-31 https://www.pfdevelopment.com Texas Economic Development Connections Intelligence Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89-100 Bowie Economic Development Corporation...............................97 http://bowietexasedc.com City of Huntsville......................................................95 http://www.huntsvilletxed.com Fairview EDC ........................................................99 https://fairviewtexasedc.com Henderson Economic Development Corporation ..........................98 https://hendersonedc.com Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation ........................100 https://www.marblefallseconomy.com Mount Pleasant Economoic Development Corporation ....................94 https://mpedc.org TexAmericas Center ................................................92-93 https://www.texamericascenter.com VIRGINIA City of Norfolk Department of Development..............................83 https://norfolkdevelopment.com Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance ...................................86 https://yeslynchburgregion.org Prince William County Economic Development............................51 https://www.pwcded.org Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development.....................81 https://www.yesvirginiabeach.com Virginia Economic Development Partnership...................Gatefold, IFC-1 https://www.vedp.org WEST VIRGINIA Belomar Regional Council .............................................135 https://www.belomar.org City of Wheeling .....................................................135 https://www.wheelingwv.gov Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley..............................135 https://cfov.org Oglebay.............................................................135 https://oglebay.com Ohio County Development Authority ...................................135 https://www.ohiocountywv.gov Visit Wheeling / Wheeling Convention & Visitor Bureau .................................135 https://wheelingcvb.com Wheeling Heritage ...................................................135 https://wheelingheritage.org WISCONSIN City of Fitchburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 https://www.fitchburgwi.gov New North Inc........................................................148 https://www.thenewnorth.com INTERNATIONAL COSTA RICA Ultrapark Dos, S.A. ....................................................23 https://www.ultrapark.com PAGEPAGENext >