DOE Jumps on Data Center Bandwagon
The U.S. Department of Energy announced in June that Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky and Savannah River Site in South Carolina were selected for new AI data center and energy generation projects. “By leveraging DOE land assets for the deployment of AI and energy infrastructure, we are taking a bold step to accelerate the next Manhattan Project — ensuring U.S. AI and energy leadership,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “These sites are uniquely positioned to host data centers as well as power generation to bolster grid reliability, strengthen our national security and reduce energy costs.”Charlotte and Raleigh.
Over 94% of Mars, Inc. products sold to U.S. markets are made within the nation across 38 production facilities.
Photo courtesy of Mars, Inc.
An Emphasis on Local Production
Mars, Inc. announced in July it will invest $2 billion into U.S. manufacturing after allocating $6 billion over the past five years. The investments include a $240 million, 230-job investment in a Nature’s Bakery facility that recently held its grand opening in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a $450 million, 270-job Royal Canin dry pet food facility that opened in Lewisburg, Ohio, earlier this year. “This investment is about building a stronger, more resilient business in the U.S., one that can grow with our consumers, deliver for our partners and create lasting economic impact in the communities where we operate,” said Mars, Inc. CFO Claus Aagaard. “The U.S. is our biggest and most important market, and a key engine of growth for the long term — not only through our legacy manufacturing footprint but also through the expansion of strategic acquisitions like Nature’s Bakery, which is already scaling quickly.”
Maryland-based X-energy received a combined $6.15 million in state and local incentives to support the investment.
Photo courtesy of X-energy
Maryland Marks the Spot
Advanced nuclear reactor and fuel company X-energy plans to move its current Rockville headquarters to an expanded office space just six miles away at the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. All 260 Rockville employees will transition to the new HQ where the company expects to create over 500 new jobs within the next few years. About 26 miles northwest in Frederick County, X-energy will introduce a new 90,000-sq.-ft. non-nuclear test and training facility. This space will feature a helium test facility for full-scale integration systems testing in a pressurized helium environment, in addition to an experimental critical reactor components and materials test facility.
Pilgrim’s currently operates seven food production plants in Georgia.
Photo courtesy of Pilgrim’s
Peach State Portfolio Growth
The Shoal River Industrial Park, located in northwestern Florida’s Okaloosa County, has been selected by Michigan-based aircraft engine manufacturer Williams International for a $1 billion investment to construct a high-volume aviation gas turbine engine production facility in the county by 2026. The company spent two years looking across the nation for the ideal location, ultimately selecting Florida for its 250,000-sq.-ft. plant. FloridaCommerce partnered with CareerSource Florida, Florida’s Great Northwest, Space Florida, Okaloosa County and Triumph Gulf Coast to attract the project. “We are grateful to the Triumph board and for the strong, unified support from all of our Florida stakeholders that will enable us to create many high-quality, high-technology jobs producing the world’s best gas turbine engines,” said Williams International President and CEO Gregg Williams. The project will be built out across three phases, with an additional 500,000 sq. ft. of facilities planned at the site by 2036.
Between its Kentucky and Michigan plants, Ford will create 4,000 new jobs.
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
Ford Drives Billions into U.S. EV Production
In August, Ford announced nearly $2 billion would be going to its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. The investment is focused on planned production of a new electric mid-size pickup truck by mid-2027. The plant is expected to expand by an additional 52,000 sq. ft. to make room for new equipment and technology. Ford’s investment follows its larger $5 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing and strengthens its “assembly tree,” including its BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan which will supply prismatic LFP batteries to the Louisville facility as operations begin. “We live and breathe continuous improvement, but sometimes you need a dramatic leap forward,” said Ford Vice President Bryce Currie. “We expect ergonomic breakthroughs and complexity reduction — through elimination of parts, connectors and wire — will flow through to significant quality and cost wins.”
