CSX rail facility near Waycross, Ga.

Source: www.csx.com

CSX Plans Winter Haven Terminal

CSX plans to locate a state-of-the-art intermodal facility near Winter Haven, Florida, that local officials hope will spark additional growth and development in the region. According to an article in the Bradenton Herald, "CSX estimates the terminal could create 8,500 jobs at the facility and surrounding warehouses, as well as filling stations, restaurants and other businesses that could crop up as a result of the development." The newspaper further reports that "The projected $100 million facility would off-load containers from trains for placement on trucks headed to distribution centers."

Charles McSwain, former IAMC board chair, is the Active member from CSX.

Corpus Christi ED Group Posts New Web Site

The Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corp. has redesigned and added new capabilities to its Web site. The press release announcing the upgrade says "The new website is data-rich and robust, featuring up-to-date news and statistics about Corpus Christi's business climate, economic sector targets, site and building availability and workforce capability. It is designed for potential primary employers and site consultants, existing primary employers, and emerging businesses by offering detailed information on subjects that are often factors in site selection or expansion."

Steve Jenkins, VP business development, is the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corp.'s representative to IAMC.

CN train in Alberta, Canada

Source: CN

CN and U.S. Steel to Acquire U.S. Rail Assets

The Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and U.S. Steel have coordinated on a deal that will enhance CN's service capability in the Chicago area and U.S. Steel's rail service to its Gary Works facility. A press release reports that "CN will acquire the major portion of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E) for US$300 million (approximately C$301 million). The acquisition will significantly improve the fluidity of CN's rail operations in the Chicago region, rewarding customers with faster transit times and more reliable service. Under the agreement, U. S. Steel's Transtar subsidiary will retain railroad assets, equipment, and employees that support the Gary Works site in Northwest Indiana and the steelmaking operations of U. S. Steel. Transtar's remaining operations will become the Gary Railway."

Mike Deegan is the IAMC Active member with CN.

Stephen Bilan, Dennis Jones and George Manos are the Active members with U.S. Steel.

IDI's Gregory Honored by ULI

Henry D. "Greg" Gregory

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has honored Henry D. "Greg" Gregory, chairman and founder of industrial facility developer IDI, with its prestigious Frank Carter Community Achievement Award. An article on the company's Web site says, "The annual award recognizes a lifetime of achievement in real estate and in the community at large." Providing further details about the company and its founder, the article reports that "Gregory, who founded IDI in 1989, has established IDI as a leading industrial real estate developer, growing the company's assets from $89 million at its inception to $755 million in assets and $1.2 billion in long-term investments today. … Gregory has been a long-time contributor to the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a non-profit organization that acquires parks and other green space for public use."

S. Michael Parks, VP national business development, is IDI's representative to IAMC.

Campbell's Soup Subsidiary Expands Lakeland, Fla., Facility

Pepperidge Farm, a Campbell's Soup subsidiary, has announced that it intends to expand an existing baking facility in Lakeland, Florida. An article about the new investment says, "Pepperidge Farm Inc. on September 24 announced plans to invest in a new high-capacity bread production line at its Lakeland, Fla., bakery located at 2222 Interstate Drive. An addition will be constructed to house the new line, bringing the total area of the plant to 320,000 square feet."

Bob Zane is IAMC's Active member from Campbell's Soup. Zane is a past chair of IAMC's board of directors and currently is co-chair of its leadership development program.

Robin Spratlin

IAMC Member Spratlin Heads UEDA

The Utility Economic Development Association (UEDA) has selected Robin Spratlin, Georgia Power's general manager of economic development, as its president. A press release says "Spratlin was elected unanimously to serve a two year term as UEDA President."

Nestle Waters Placing Bottling Plant in Greenwood, Indiana

Nestle Waters' President and CEO Kim Jeffery

Nestle Waters North America, a subsidiary of the global food and beverage company, has announced plans to locate a bottling plant in Indiana. A press release issued by the state reports that "The company will invest more than $30 million to equip its new 215,000-square-foot high-speed bottling facility that when operational in 2008 will produce up to one million bottles of Nestle Pure Life and Nestle Pure Life Naturally Favored Water daily." The release further reveals that "The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the company $350,000 in performance based tax credits, and $18,500 in training grants based on the company's announced job creation plans. Johnson County Development Corporation approved property tax abatement worth $768,000."

Lisa Speltz is the IAMC Active member from Nestle Waters North America. Speltz serves on IAMC's Education and Research Committee, where she co-heads a task group that oversees the Research Roundtable programs.

Coke to Expand St. Petersburg Bottling Facility

International beverage giant Coca Cola plans to add capacity to existing bottling facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia. A short article about the investment says "The budget of the project for launching the third line and widening office and warehouse area reached €20 million. The new line differs from all other lines operating at St. Petersburg plant in specification, capacity and control over the ready product. The capacity of a new facility is roughly 200 million liters of soft drinks a year. Once the project capacity is attained, the plant's output will step up to 400 million liters a year."

Matt Fanoe is the IAMC Active member from Coca Cola Enterprises.

GE Plans New Billings, Montana, Facility

Landsat photo including Billings, Mont.

Source: NASA

General Electric has announced that it intends to place an operations center in Billings, Montana, to serve GE Commercial Finance. An article about the new facility reports that, "Jeff Bornstein, vice president and CFO of GE Commercial Finance, says the company is still negotiating the center's exact location but will initially employ between 150 and 200 workers."

Terry Rees is the IAMC Active member from General Electric. Rees serves on the Education & Research Committee.

Air Products in JV to Build Wyoming Helium Plant

Air Products and Chemicals plans to construct a helium production facility near Big Piney, Wyoming, as a joint venture with Matheson Tri-Gas. An article on CNN.com about the investment reports that "The plant, designed to produce 200 million standard cubic feet per year at start-up, with expectations for future capacity expansion, would process crude helium produced by a natural gas processing facility that would be owned by Cimarex Energy Co. and their partner, Riley Ridge LLC. The Cimarex facility would process natural gas from the Riley Ridge Field in Wyoming, the second largest helium-rich natural gas field in the United States. Riley Ridge is believed to contain sufficient helium reserves to support production for decades. Production at the new Wyoming plant is anticipated to commence in 2009."

Susan Reber is the IAMC Active member from Air Products and Chemicals. Reber serves on IAMC's board of directors and is past co-chair of the Membership Committee.