Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page A-16)

Trucks delivering concrete for the floor of the new building for Appalachian Railcar Services at Eleanor Industrial Park in Eleanor, WV Opelika, AL: Big Things Come in Small Packages Located in East Central Alabama along Interstate 85—one of the A-16 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 PHOTO CREDITS: AERIAL VIEW, JOE MAZZONE, ACE AERIAL PHOTOS; TRUCKS, PUTNAM COUNTY located about three miles from Toyota Motor Manufacturing. Three companies have already constructed buildings in the new park, including Nippon Thermostat of America Corporation’s 32,000square-foot manufacturing facility; Tasty Blend Foods, Inc.’s 58,000square-foot production facility that produces Teas Valley brand dry food mixes; and Schwan Foods, Inc.’s new 14,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center. Multicoat Corporation will begin construction of a new facility in January 2008. The year 2007 also saw the construction of a new facility for Appalachian Railcar Services in Eleanor, WV. The company purchased an existing building and over four acres at the Eleanor Industrial Park and an adjoining seven-acre lot. The company then built a new 17,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility at the park. Putnam County offers a globally competitive, diverse business base that has allowed auto companies such as Toyota and Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corporation to grow. If your company is looking for low-cost electricity, skilled labor, and available industrial sites, Putnam County is the answer. South’s hottest transportation corridors—is the small city of Opelika, AL. With five existing Interstate exchanges, you might imagine the city to be the size of Montgomery, AL; Chattanooga, TN; or Jackson, MS. Rather, Opelika is a small city with a population of approximately 26,000 and big city amenities. Part of the reason Opelika has stayed so connected to Interstate 85 is the sustained and continued growth the city has enjoyed. Opelika is home to four Tier 1 automotive suppliers: Benteler Automotive, which supplies Mercedes and BMW; Mando America, which supplies Hyundai Motors and GM; Maxforma Plastics, which supplies Hyundai Motors; and Daewon America, which supplies Hyundai Motors and GM. With the impending construction of the new Kia Motors Manufacturing facility just 15 minutes east in West Point, GA, opportunities abound for local Hyundai suppliers to be able to The Northeast Opelika Industrial Park in Opelika, AL increase production to supply the new Kia plant as well. A major contributing factor to Opelika’s success in recruiting automotive suppliers is the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. This park is directly served by Exit 66 off of Interstate 85. It was specifically designed for truck traffic, with acceleration and deceleration lanes that enable manufacturers to get their products to market with ease and expediency. This masterplanned industrial park is also home to two distribution centers for WalMart and Jo-Ann Stores. Ample space is still available in this 2,200acre park that already has utility infrastructure in place. Currently there is a site that fronts Interstate 85 with up to 130 acres available. It has been cleared, has utility infrastructure to the property boundary, and is ready for development. With available acreage, excellent access, and business minded leadership, Northeast Opelika Industrial Park will continue to position the community for continued growth and success. For more information, visit the Opelika Web site at www.opelika.org. http://www.opelika.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - February 2008

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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