As Wolfspeed’s $1 billion silicon carbide manufacturing plant held its
grand opening this spring in Marcy, New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul
announced a new $200 million program to fund more shovel-ready sites
across the state.
The importance of shovel-ready land and a project-ready operating
environment was highlighted this morning as Taiwan’s GlobalWafers committed to a 1,500-job silicon wafer fab in Sherman,
Texas. It’s the same city where Texas Instruments committed to
investing billions of dollars into new chip fabs seven months ago. The announcement from the U.S.
Department of Commerce made clear how this and other potential semiconductor
investments in the U.S. are dependent on passage of the “CHIPS for America” Act.
“We are at a make-or-break moment to expand domestic semiconductor
production,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Semiconductor
firms need to make investment decisions by the fall to meet the enormous
increased demand for chips. GlobalWafers committed to the U.S. because they
believe Congress will get the Bipartisan Innovation Act over the finish line
in the coming weeks.”
“With the proper level of federal incentives,” said GlobalWafers President
Mark England,” I can envision the City of Sherman developing into the
complete semiconductor ecosystem to fully support the growing U.S.
semiconductor industry.”
Examine the data and accolades from every corner and you start to
understand why Texas, with the ninth largest economy in the world, is
the leading destination for companies relocating from other states.
Originally announced in 2020, this new waste- and residues-based
biodiesel plant at Cargill’s existing integrated oilseeds crush and
Bioro biodiesel site in Ghent, Belgium, was officially completed earlier
this month. The investment was precipitated in part by the European
Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), and brings a new level of
flexibility where feedstock is concerned. “The new Cargill facility in
Ghent will be the first plant in Europe capable of processing all kinds
of feedstocks,” said Roger Janson, president of Cargill’s Agricultural
Supply Chain across EMEA, in October 2020, “including acid oils from
vegetable oil refining, liquid residues from industrial processes, and
even the fat recovered from sewage sludge from local municipalities.”
Wisconsin-based refrigerator and appliance manufacturer Sub-Zero earlier
this month was approved for state incentives by the Iowa Economic
Development Authority to back the construction of this new light
manufacturing facility in southwest Cedar Rapids. As reported by the Corridor Business Journal, the
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance responded to the state after
Sub-Zero reached out to the IEDA during the fourth quarter of 2021. “We
have reached the point that our three main sites are burgeoning and
full, so we are seeking a new location to add to our footprint for the
next leg of our journey,” Scott Wareing, senior vice president of
operations and product design for Sub-Zero, stated during public comment
earlier this month. “It’s just a phenomenal fit for us and you.”
The 2022 Mississippi Development Guide is now available
via Digital Edition, a facsimile of the print publication
complete with all stories and all advertisements. Inside, you’ll find
our conversations with Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi Development
Authority’s Linda Hipp. Coupled with profiles of regions such as East
Mississippi and the Delta Region, you’ll find industry reports from such
sectors as agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and
shipbuilding, as well as insights into how utilities and the state’s
ports and waterways are supporting economic development. And you’ll
discover more about a new R&D consortium and the new Accelerate
Mississippi workforce development strategy that are driving the Magnolia
State to new levels of achievement.
PHOTO OF THE
DAY
Photo courtesy of UNO
The U.S. Economic Development Administration in July 2021 awarded a $1.3
million grant to the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) to support
the development of wet lab space and clean room in the Information
Technology Center at The Beach at UNO (pictured), formerly Research and
Technology Park, located on Lakeshore Drive along Lake Ponchartrain.
That bet is paying off, as General Dynamics Information Technology
(GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, officially opened its new
50-job New Orleans office there last Thursday. More jobs are expected to
be added as work continues on the U.S. Navy Enterprise Service Desk, a
four-year, $136 million contract to modernize and consolidate existing
IT operations, to be staffed at the company’s offices in New Orleans and
Bossier City, Louisiana (GDIT’s flagship location).
“New Orleans has served as the strategic hub for the naval community for
more than 50 years,” said Brian Sheridan, GDIT’s senior vice president
of defense. “We see a great opportunity to continue our support for the
Navy’s mission and grow our footprint and impact in the region. Our
investment in the community will also strengthen our partnership with
the University of New Orleans to drive innovation.”
