Economic Development
Manufacturing Index Up: Georgia’s manufacturing industry is gaining momentum, with a 9.2-point uptick in November, the first increase in three months. Georgia’s Pur-chasing Managers Index (PMI) is a reading of the economic activity in Georgia’s manufacturing sector. At 52.4, it was the highest since July 2011. (A PMI over 50 indicates manufacturing activity is expanding.) Experts attribute the gain to increases in new orders and production.
Jackson County Gets 900 Jobs: Bed Bath & Beyond has announced it will be opening an e-commerce fulfillment center in Pendergrass, creating up to 900 jobs and representing a $50-million investment. The 810,000-square-foot facility is expected to be operational by summer 2012.
Hyundai in Gwinnett: Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc. relocated its U.S. headquarters from Elk Grove Village, Ill., to Norcross and is expected to create 100 jobs over the next five years. The 217,000-square-foot facility represents a $10-million investment.
More Biotech: Norweg-ian biotech company NorDiag ASA is opening its North American headquarters in Alpharetta, creating 10 to 20 jobs over the next three years.
Augusta Nets 100 Jobs: Rockwood Color Pigment and Services is opening a new synthetic iron oxide facility in Augusta. The $15-million plant is expected to bring 80 to 100 jobs to the area.
$200,000 For Tourism: The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has awarded $200,000 to 23 organizations throughout the state through a partnership of Georgia Tourism and the Georgia Council for the Arts. The grant program is designed to support tourism development at a local level. Recipients include the Tubman Afri-can-American Museum in Macon, Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association and the Flannery O’Connor-Andalusia Foundation in Milledgeville.
Kubota Creates 200 Jobs: Japan-based Kubota Corp. is expanding its manufacturing operations in Jefferson. The $73-million, 500,000-square-foot facility will create 200 new jobs. Construction was scheduled to begin in early 2012, with full production starting in January 2013.
