Corporate Development Investments total more than $11.6 billion; over 34,500 jobs created and retained

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 14, 2012) – Trade & Industry Development, the leading magazine dedicated to site selection, has announced its 7th Annual CiCi (Corporate Investment & Community Impact) Awards.

The 30 recipients of the 2012 CiCi Awards helped create 26,605 new jobs, retain 7,902 jobs, and represent investments in excess of more than $11.6 billion. (This data is provided by respondents and includes estimations of future growth.)

“During a year when the U.S. economy grew only slightly, the 30 companies recognized by our 7th Annual CiCi Awards stand out as gleaming examples of where the growth occurred, said Scott D. Swoger, publisher, Trade & Industry Development magazine, and president, Due North Consulting, Inc. “The sum of the investments made by the CiCi Award recipients coupled with the economic impact they will have on the communities in which they are located will be transformational, Swoger asserted.

Swoger also noted that there is a broad spectrum of U.S. industries represented in the 2012 CiCi Awards, including manufacturing companies in the “green” energy industry, software/IT and a strong showing in the automotive and auto-related industries.  

The CiCi Awards are unique in that they are a dual-awards program. The CiCi Awards not only highlight the largest corporate investment projects, but also recognize those projects that may not involve large investments, but make the most notable impact on communities. There are a number of criteria considered for the Impact division, including: number of new jobs created, number of current jobs retained, unemployment figures, income level of the region and plant closings.

According to the magazine’s editors, hundreds of submissions were received, from which only those that were announced and confirmed in 2011 were considered. The submissions were carefully scrutinized in both Corporate Investment and Community Impact categories, and the editors honed the selection to just 30 companies—based solely on verifiable information and without monetary influence.

Winners of the 2012 CiCi Corporate Investment division are:
    IM Flash Technologies—Lehi, Utah
    Continental Tire the Americas—Sumter, South Carolina
    Ford Motor Company—Louisville, Kentucky
    Ford Motor Company—Kansas City, Missouri
    M&G Group—Corpus Christi, Texas
    Calisolar—Columbus, Mississippi
    Bridgestone Americas, Inc.—Aiken, South Carolina
    Stion—Hattiesburg, Mississippi
    Carpenter Technology Corporation—Athens, Alabama
    General Motors—Wentzville, Missouri
    Mercedes-Benz U.S. International—Vance, Alabama
    Horsehead Corporation—Forest City, North Carolina
    General Motors—Arlington, Texas
    Alcoa—Quad Cities, Iowa
    Severstal Dearborn LLC—Dearborn, Michigan
   
Winners of the 2012 CiCi Community Impact division are:
    Amazon.com, Inc.—Murfreesboro & Lebanon, Tennessee
    General Motors—Spring Hill, Tennessee
    Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc.—Natchez, Mississippi
    Gentex—Holland, Michigan
    Agro Farma (Chobani Greek Yogurt)—Twin Falls, Idaho
    ITT Exellis—Jordan, Utah
    Semprius, Inc.—Henderson, North Carolina
    Navistar International Corporation—Florence, Alabama
    eBay Inc.—Draper, Utah
    Family Dollar Stores, Inc.—Ashley, Indiana
    CenturyLink, Inc.—Monroe, Louisiana
    ProEnergy Services—Sedalia, Missouri
    Quaprotek—Ripley, Tennessee
    MANN+HUMMEL USA—Dunlap, Tennessee
    Changan, US Research Development Center—Plymouth, Michigan
 
Swoger concluded that in addition to the immediate impact these projects will have on the companies receiving the Award—and their new or retained employees—all of the 2012 CiCi Award projects announced here are contributing to an improved U.S. economy and putting a positive drive and improved morale back into the communities in which they are located.

© Copyrighted 2012
About Trade & Industry Development
Trade & Industry Development serves executives within specific vertical industries. Its mission is to help companies perpetuate success by providing clear and crucial insight into the challenge of site selection and facility planning. By working with thought leaders and experts in various fields, Trade & Industry Development provides actionable content that is both innovative and forward-looking. It is committed to being a valuable and trusted partner for C-suite executives, corporate real estate professionals and site consultants, enabling them to make the best possible decisions – for themselves, their companies and their shareholders.  www.tradeandindustrydev.com.

Media Contact:
Linda Dobel
Trade & Industry Development
Due North Consulting, Inc.
ldobel@duenorthmedia.com
203-638-5121