Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page A-11)

cial airports, and two national rail carriers complete an intermodal transportation network. In 1992, BMW established its only North American facility near Spartanburg in upstate South Carolina, where it produces the popular Z4 and X5 models, and will soon be rolling out the new X6 and X3 models. To date, the company has invested over $2 billion and employs more than 4,500 people there. More than 125 auto-related companies are located within a 10county region of South Carolina in order to supply BMW and other southern manufacturers. Michelin’s North American headquarters is located off Interstate 85 in Greenville County, SC to support its four tire production facilities in the state. Also in Greenville, Clemson University is collaborating with BMW, Michelin, Microsoft, and others to develop the International Center for Automotive Research. The 400-acre campus will be anchored by a Graduate Automotive Engineering Program and will include state-of-the-art research and testing facilities as well as privateindustry R&D operations that will support the state’s growing automotive industry cluster. The Port of Charleston, located in coastal South Carolina, is a key location for export and import to Latin America and Europe. The Port of Charleston is the number one container port in the Southeast. The Sprinter van is manufactured at the port, and American Lafrance produces fire engines there. Florence, SC is a rural location that offers companies a low cost of doing business. It is home to Honda’s all-terrain vehicle and personal watercraft assembly plant that employs 1,600 people. Japanese and American suppliers have located in Florence to support Honda’s manufacturing efforts. At the center of the state, the Greater Columbia, SC area is intersected by Interstate 77, Interstate 20, and Interstate 26, forming a transportation hub to support automotive suppliers. Columbia is the site of the University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering, as well as a major facility for Siemens Diesel Systems. Access to three interstates? Floor it! With easy access to three Interstates, rail, and an international airport, no wonder Bridgestone/Firestone, TRW Automotive, and TACLE Seating USA looked far and wide and then set up shop in Wilson County. Plus, Nissan’s Headquarters recently moved in just down the road. In fact, Wilson County is within a day’s drive of 21 automotive assemblers, putting us squarely in the “Southern Corridor.” Of course, we could list all the other benefits like the motivated workforce and excellent utilities, but all that info is on our website. So check it out. It’ll get you up to speed in a hurry. Wilson County, Tennessee www.doingbiz.org PHOTO CREDIT: ISTOCK #1909 at www.BusinessFacilities.com A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S A N D WA R D ’ S A U T O W O R L D A-11 http://www.doingbiz.org http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

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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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