By Scott Harrison, TNECD

• Xtend Healthcare plans to invest $1.3 million in Sumner County
• Expansion will create 200 jobs in Hendersonville
• Hendersonville-based company currently employs 700 Tennesseans

Nashville, TN -- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Xtend Healthcare, LLC officials announced that the company plans to invest $1.3 million and create 200 jobs in Hendersonville.

Headquartered in Hendersonville, Xtend Healthcare is an industry leader and provider of comprehensive revenue cycle solutions for hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Founded in 2009, Xtend Healthcare employs more than 700 professionals in Tennessee. Worldwide, the company employs more than 1,000.

• German battery manufacturer AKASOL establishing North American presence in metro Detroit area
• High-tech semiconductor equipment manufacturer KLA plans additional investment, job creation in Ann Arbor
• MSF supports community revitalization projects in Detroit, Cadillac

Lansing, MI -- Projects expected to generate $235.3 million in total investment and support the creation of 554 jobs in Michigan gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

“These projects will lead to new business growth, revitalized communities and more and better jobs for our residents,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of MEDC, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF.

“The decision by these two companies to not just expand, but establish a first North American facility here and a second U.S. headquarters underscores our business-friendly environment and talented workforce. We’re pleased to work with our local partners to support these investments,” Mason said.

$6.3 million investment to create 64 jobs

Columbia, SC -- MobileFleet Inc., a widely-respected manufacturer and distributor in the public safety industry, announced plans to establish operations in Marion County. The $6.3 million investment will create 64 jobs.
 
Having distributed products from valued manufacturers in the public safety industry for more than 20 years, MobileFleet Inc.'s staff of experienced sales, service and support professionals help specify, implement and service all of the products the company distributes. The new Marion County location will also include the company's manufacturing division that builds custom storage solutions for public service providers, including fire and police departments and government municipalities.
 
MobileFleet Inc. will establish its S.C. operations in the 113,000-square-foot Spartan Building located at 2914 Spartan Place in Marion County. New operations are projected to come online in the fall of 2019. Hiring information, when available, will be posted on https://www.readysc.org/training-opportunities.html.

Company will grow to 270 local jobs with West Monroe contact center supporting federal programs

West Monroe, LA -- Governor John Bel Edwards and CEO Brian Davis and President Everett Stagg of Coast Professional Inc. announced the company will create 146 new direct jobs in an expansion of its West Monroe contact center. Operating in Ouachita Parish since 2007, Coast Professional will maintain its 9,000-square-foot office on Expo Circle while adding a new 8,200-square-foot facility on Downing Pines Road.

With the expansion, Coast Professional will make a $750,000 capital investment and retain 125 existing jobs. The new project will add 146 direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $36,500, plus benefits. In addition, Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 85 new indirect jobs, for a total of 231 new jobs in Ouachita Parish and Northeast Louisiana.

Photo Caption: Five new Rubber-Tired Gantry cranes arrived at the Port of Savannah on Saturday, bringing Garden City Terminal's RTG fleet to 151. Find print quality images here. (Georgia Ports Authority / Stephen B. Morton) 

Ensures capacity to meet growing demand

Savannah, GA -- The Georgia Ports Authority received five new Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes Saturday, with five additional units due to arrive in July, and two in September. With more RTG cranes than any other single container terminal in all of North America, the expanding 150-unit plus fleet will keep the Port of Savannah ahead of record growth and demand for its services.
 
"These new RTGs will keep our vessel services and yard operations world-class," said Griff Lynch, GPA's Executive Director. "The added capacity will maintain low turn-times and help expand and expedite intermodal cargo throughout the U.S. Southeast and Midwest regions."

Brownsville, TX -- The Port of Brownsville is closer to deepening the Brownsville Ship Channel after receiving a key permit June 6 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to advance the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project (BIH) to its construction phase.

The USACE permit is the latest milestone in the port’s effort to deepen the ship channel from 42 feet to 52 feet, resulting in significant navigational safety improvements for commercial shipping in South Texas.

“Today we find ourselves on the verge of a new economic era for the Rio Grande Valley and the channel deepening is essential for our continued progress and success,” said John Reed, Brownsville Navigation District Chairman. “These crucial infrastructure projects solidify our presence in the global market and create better economic opportunities for our local workforce.

Cincinnati, OH -- Bon Secours Mercy Health announced that it intends to expand its presence at its City of Cincinnati hub in Bond Hill by creating 500 jobs and $50 million in new payroll. The Bond Hill office has, and will continue to house, the majority of the ministry’s shared services and a substantial amount of the ministry’s executive team.

“As Bon Secours Mercy Health continues to grow, we’re pleased to add 500 new jobs at the ministry’s Bond Hill campus,” said John Starcher, Bon Secours Mercy Health President and CEO. “Consolidating the bulk of our shared services at one location enhances efficiencies and effectiveness for our ministry, while benefiting the economic health of Bond Hill and Cincinnati.”

Company Will Bring 237 New Jobs to Morganton

Burke County, NC -- North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that SynergyLabs, a manufacturer of specialty pet products, will locate an operation in Hildebran creating 237 jobs and investing $11.2M over the next five years. SynergyLabs will locate in the former PEDS building at 9451 Neuville Avenue.
 
"Burke County welcomes SynergyLabs as the newest member of our economic community" said Johnnie Carswell, Chairman of the Burke County Commissioners.  "SynergyLabs is a prime example of a company that will help Burke County to continue its "All About Advancing" theme.

USDA’s Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food & Agriculture will relocate operations from D.C. to K.C.; project expected to bring 568 new jobs to K.C. area   

Kansas City, MO -- The Kansas City Area Development Council and its partners are proud to announce that the Kansas City region will become the new home of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA team is evaluating multiple Class-A office properties in Kansas and Missouri for its 120,000-square-foot space, which will house both agencies and 568 employees, and expects to be operational this fall.

The Kansas City region was selected for its existing concentration of USDA employees and operations, the more than 150 federal agencies in the area, proximity to 13 land grant universities, and central location in the agricultural heart of the country. This concentration is enhanced by the area’s research capabilities and industry-led initiatives like the KC Animal Health Corridor.

North Charleston -- South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) officials celebrated the expansion of the Frontier Logistics local operations, with the groundbreaking of an approximately 550,000 square-foot warehousing facility, which will support the handling of plastic and resin exports from the Port of Charleston.

“Frontier plays an integral role in the handling of SCPA’s plastics and resin business,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Charleston is the emerging pivot point for both export and import U.S. resin, and the Frontier Logistics expansion is a key component of the Port’s planned above-market volume growth.”

With the Ports synthetic resin exports growing by 55 percent since 2011, demand for facilities has increased. Frontier’s groundbreaking on 26 acres at the former Navy base will be a significant advantage for continued growth.