Hear from executives across multiple industries, including exclusive
coverage of site selections from major companies such as Tractor Supply
Co. Find out what recent tax cuts mean for your business. Gain insights
into the state’s surging steel, food, aerospace, firearms, film
production and timber sectors, not to mention its emerging startup,
smart mobility and fintech scenes. Learn what the state’s universities
and colleges are up to in workforce development. Discover why one
virtual company likes the beautiful places of Arkansas for remote work
and meetings. Plan your next outdoor adventure in the Natural State.
And, last but not least, find out what Toad Suck Daze is really all
about.
PROJECT WATCH
Jamaica
Jamaica landed a new business process outsourcing (BPO) operation in
August from American First Finance, whose COO Thomas Nusspickel told
Nearshore Americas that Guatemala and Colombia were also considered for
the center, located in a free zone incubator area. The company hopes to
have 200 employees on site by year’s end. While the company is pleased
with the level of talent and with improved digital and physical
infrastructure, the level of red tape has been less welcome, Nusspickel
said. “It takes so much time to make any move or change,” he told Nearshore Americas. “We wanted Special
Economic Zone certification for tax purposes, and that is something that
they could make a lot easier for companies like us. It takes up to six
months.”
Thermo Fisher Scientific’s completion of this project in Mebane, located
along I-85/I-40 between Greensboro and the Research Triangle, is just
the latest in a flurry of project in the state from the company,
including multiple expansions at its campus in Greenville (also home to
the campus of East Carolina University), where the headcount is close to
2,300 across eight buildings on 142 acres about two hours’ drive to the
east of Mebane. The company also just opened a new bioanalytical lab in
Richmond, Virginia (two-and-a-half hours’ drive north of Mebane) and a
new $160 million facility in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
New York–based global law firm Latham & Watkins LLP last week
performed an act of public service for business and economic
development professionals, students, community leaders, elected
officials and, yes, journalists, by posting free of charge in
online, PDF and app formats “The Book of Jargon® — Real Estate &
REITs,” the latest in its Book of Jargon series, with
1,129 terms that you might think you know but then again, might
not. Complete with links to more information, the publication
offers guidance on everything from “abandonment” to “impact fee”
to “tenant improvement allowance” to “zoning ordinance.”
PHOTO OF THE
DAY
Photo courtesy of The Haunted Trail of Balboa
Park
There’s only one more week until Halloween. If the world is not scary
enough for you already, it’s time to head to your local haunted house.
This photo comes from a place CNN named to its Top 5 Best Haunted
Attractions in America, The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park in San Diego,
which offers two haunts in one: “the 3,500 square foot eXperiment Maze
and a mile-long terrifying outdoor Trail through twisted pines and
gnarled oaks.” The venue invites you to “feel your way through the fog
of the upside-down world with Vecna breathing down your neck. Climb
aboard the Ghoul Bus where a cloister of Nuns share the horrifying ride
with you.” Don’t let down your guard, lest you be unprepared for the
chainsaw-wielding zombie rodeo clowns. San Diego hospitality and
relaxation at its finest!
