Data Center Tax Incentives Drive Virginia Debate
Since 2010, data centers in Virginia have been exempt from the state’s sales and use tax, resulting in $2.7 billion in foregone revenue, including $1 billion in fiscal 2024 alone. While the exemption supports 74,000 jobs and contributes $9.1 billion to the state GDP,...
Iowa Delegation Wraps Up Trade Mission to Vietnam and Indonesia
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig led a 12-member delegation on a trade mission to Vietnam and Indonesia to promote the state’s corn, soybeans, pork, beef, and biofuels. The delegation included representatives from Iowa’s grain and protein commodity groups and...
BWC Terminals to Invest $316M in New Pascagoula, Mississippi Facility
Bulk liquid storage and logistics services provider BWC Terminals is locating a new terminal facility in Pascagoula, representing a nearly $316 million investment and creating 25 jobs. The project will occupy the former Mississippi Phosphates site and support an...
XLight Secures $150M CHIPS Act Incentives for FEL Prototype
Silicon Valley startup XLight signed a letter of intent with the U.S. Department of Commerce for $150 million in proposed CHIPS Act incentives to support construction and demonstration of a free-electron laser prototype for extreme ultraviolet lithography. The deal...
Packaging Industry Layoffs Surpass 1,000 for Second Consecutive Month
Layoff announcements exceeded 1,000 in November as companies across the packaging sector continued to restructure operations. Ceilley Pallets (12 layoffs), Graphic Packaging (120), Inline Plastics (25), International Paper (718), Printpack (111), and Smurfit Westrock...
University of Alabama Sets Record $3.4B Economic Impact
The University of Alabama reported a record $3.4 billion statewide economic impact for the 2023–2024 academic year, including $2.354 billion in the Tuscaloosa metro area. University leaders highlighted strong enrollment, workforce contributions, and significant...
John W. Miller Selected to Lead Wisconsin Economic Development Corp
Gov. Tony Evers has appointed venture capitalist and former UW System regent John W. Miller as the next secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, succeeding Missy Hughes. Miller, a former congressional staffer and business executive who...
Equinix to Build $836.5M Data Center in Texas
Equinix Inc. announced plans for a nearly $1 billion, four-story, 372,517-square-foot data center near Dallas’ Love Field. Construction will create a major project in North Texas, with estimated costs of $543 million for the main building and $294 million for interior...
JGA Space & Defense to Invest $25M in Huntersville, NC Expansion
JGA Space & Defense plans to invest over $25 million to expand its Huntersville, North Carolina operations in 2026. The expansion will create approximately 40 jobs, including positions for machinists, quality control specialists, and engineers, with an average...
Newell Brands to Cut 900 Jobs, Close 20 U.S. Stores
Newell Brands, parent company of Rubbermaid, Sharpie, and Yankee Candle, will lay off 900 employees globally and close approximately 20 Yankee Candle stores in the U.S. and Canada as part of a productivity plan. The roughly 10% reduction in professional and clerical...