Summer 2021 Update from Strategic Development Group

Message From the Vice President: Let’s Hit Refresh 

I recently finished Statya Nadella’s book Hit Refresh and it has me thinking about how we will approach work, life, personal growth, and relationships in the months to come.  In the past 16 months, we have endured a global pandemic, an economic downturn, an historic presidential election, and significant social upheaval.  As we emerge from this unprecedented period, we have a unique opportunity (to paraphrase the thesis of Mr. Nadella’s book) to hit refresh and imagine a better future for everyone.  This is what Nadella did when he took over as CEO at Microsoft. He made big bets on game-changing technologies; pushed the company to innovate; and he asked the hard questions.

But, when you hit refresh on your browser, some of what is on the page stays the same, right?  This same holds true for hitting refresh in any other aspect of our lives.  We will keep the good.  We will keep what is working.  But, we will also embrace some of the radical changes that will occur during this time of transition.  We will use that change to improve our work, our personal lives, and our communities.

At Strategic Development Group, we have spent the first half of 2021 helping our clients emerge from the pandemic with new growth strategies, radical moves, and strategies to help prepare for what comes next.  Read on to learn more about EMF’s transition from northern California to middle Tennessee; Firestone’s strategy for meeting the tremendous growth in the electric vehicle industry; the impact CMC is having in Mesa, AZ; communities in Duke Energy service territory that are getting sites prepared for the exciting times to come and how SDG hopes to improve the lives of men and women in South Carolina though our funding of a scholarship for technical degrees in Advanced Manufacturing.

As summer winds down in the weeks to come, I hope you – our friends, clients, and colleagues – take a moment to hit refresh.  We look forward to assisting you as we all emerge with new ideas, new strategies, and renewed vigor.

Sincerely,

Jeannette Goldsmith
Vice President

SDG is proud to continue to play a role in this important site selection project for EMF and looks forward to their continued success and growth in Tennessee. For more information about EMF’s recent announcement, click HERE.

To learn more about Strategic Development Group’s site selection services for new and relocated office and headquarter facilities, click HERE.

Increasing Demand in Electric Vehicle Supply Chains 

Longtime SDG client, Bridgestone Americas, recently announced the expansion of its Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP) plant in Williamsburg, Kentucky. FSIP is a leading global supplier of air suspension for the electric vehicle industry and this $51 million expansion initiative will create approximately 250 new jobs and increase capacity to support the growing demand for advanced air suspension technology in electric vehicles. The project is expected to break ground by the end of 2022.

SDG was honored to assist with site selection and negotiate incentives for this important project with FSIP and we look forward to their continued success in Williamsburg. For more information on Bridgestone’s Williamsburg announcement, click HERE

Continued Growth for Longtime SDG Client in Arizona 

We enjoyed seeing the City of Mesa’s recent video about Commercial Metals Company’s selection of Mesa, Arizona for its state-of-the-art micro mill.  SDG was pleased to assist CMC in this decision, and we wish them all the best as they continue to grow their facilities in Mesa!  Check out this video that features Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Barbara Smith.

Partnering with Communities to Prepare for the Future 

SDG recently completed its 3rd round of Duke Site Readiness evaluations.  SDG works with Duke to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of industrial sites in the Carolinas and provide customized recommendations aimed at increasing and enhancing the inventory of industrial product throughout the utility’s service territory.  In 2021, SDG worked with the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development in Henderson County, NC; the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation in Randolph County, NC, and the Lancaster County Department of Economic Development in Lancaster, SC.  We enjoyed having the opportunity to work with these communities to get prepared for attracting new jobs and new capital investment.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce

Like our clients, SDG has an ardent interest in helping increase the skills and competitiveness of the workforce in our community. As such, we have decided to fund a scholarship program at Midlands Technical College.  The scholarships will be given to individuals who are pursuing technical degrees in Advanced Manufacturing.  Our president, Mark Williams, recently had an opportunity to present a $12,000 check to Midlands Tech.  SDG  looks forward to making a significant positive impact on workforce readiness in the coming years.

I.C.Y.M.I. 

SDG Vice President, Jeannette Goldsmith  was recently a guest on the Virginia Economic Review Podcast with Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO, Stephen Moret for a panel discussion on what drives headquarter relocation projects, how the pandemic might impact corporate headquarters location decisions and Virginia’s success in the recruitment of HQ locations.

To hear Jeannette’s comments and listen to the full interview, check out the link HERE.