Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page 37)

CORPORATE MOVES Wyoming By Bill Trüb Allstate Ensures Cheyenne’s Growth Iimprove its insurance claims service to customers. The Allstate Express n December, Allstate opened an office in Cheyenne, WY to expand and Nortrack on the Right Track in Cheyenne ast summer, VAE Nortrak North America Inc. purchased two buildings from the city of Cheyenne. Nortrak will use one building to expand its manufacturing of pre-stress concrete switch ties for the railroad industry, an investment of nearly $4.7 million. Nortrak had leased the second building since 2000. After remodeling and renovating, the plant became fully operational in late 2007. Most of the equipment required for the new facility was custombuilt, with many components imported from Europe. Nortrak has hired 20 new employees and anticipates acquiring an additional 50-60 workers within three years. The company currently employs more than 120 people in Cheyenne. Including its newest facility, Nortrak now utilizes 158,000 square feet of manufacturing space on a 28-acre site in Wyoming’s capital. New Technology Creates Clean Water in Buffalo office has brought 200 new entry level jobs and 94 indirect jobs into the community, with a total of $5.2 million in direct payroll. Over the next five years, the business activity will contribute $672,000 in local taxes, and $686,000 in state taxes to Wyoming, according to estimates. The total long-term impact on the community is estimated at $97 million. “Allstate could have located this facility anywhere in the nation,” says Tom Thorson, vice president of Cheyenne LEADS. Cheyenne was one of many cities evaluated for the Allstate Express office and was ultimately chosen based on several criteria including cost of living, availability of talent, and the ability to maintain operations during severe weather occurring in other parts of the country. Thorson expects Allstate to employ most of the city’s available customer service workforce. Allstate began retrofitting 28,000 square feet of an existing building in March 2007. Hiring began in September, and training followed in October with excellent results. Allstate already has more people applying than the company needs to keep its training classes full. A $400,000 Workforce Development Training Fund Grant from the state of Wyoming and the Department of Workforce Services’ training programs also factored into Allstate’s decision to locate its facility in Cheyenne. L Itreatment plant in the Powder River Basin near Buffalo, WY. The facility n February, RG Global Lifestyles completed construction on its first water is the company’s first to utilize the Catalyx Fluid Solutions ion exchange technology to treat water discharged during the harvesting of coal bed methane (CBM). The treated water will be safe for irrigation and wildlife with no hazardous byproducts. “Our sodium removal capability and low cost could be critical factors in restarting the CBM operations idled in multiple states due to environmental reasons,” says RG Global Chief Technology Officer Juzer Jangbarwala. Existing technologies have been unable to cost effectively treat water to meet Wyoming’s stringent discharge standards, resulting in the shutdown of several wells and drilling operations. However, Catalyx is negotiating with multiple companies for additional applications of its ion exchange technology, which has the potential for new industry growth and job creation. BUSINESS FACILITIES 37 PHOTO CREDITS: CHEYENNE LEADS

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Business Facilites - February 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Texas Capturing the Creative Class Green with Energy Automotive Opportunities in a Green Economy Corporate Moves: Wyoming Metro Spotlight: Overland Park, KS Metro Spotlight: Long Island, NY Get Ahead in Alabama Indiana: Sending Tech Messages How to Successfully Negotiate a Lease in Today's Real Estate Environment Legislation Spurring Innovation in Kentucky New Center will Propel Ontario's Automotive Future Virginia's Vital Signs Eating Well in the North of France Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - February 2008

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