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Inward Investment Guides
United States Inward Investing Guide

United States Inward Investing Guide

Location USA is a guide for international companies looking to invest or establish operations within the United States. Location USA provides practical advice and guidance about facilities deployment, labor force skills, taxes and incentives, and more. For specific information on all 50 states, utilize the State Resources links.


Hot United States FDI Sectors: Alternative Energy
Mark Crawford (Location USA 2012)
 
Across the United States alternative energy is a rapidly growing field; with federal support for green technology, more stringent environmental controls, the high cost of fuel, America's reputation for innovative R&D, and receptive consumer markets, a number of foreign companies are locating operations here - especially in the wind, solar, and battery power sectors.

It is not surprising that Arizona, with its 300-plus days of sunshine a year, is a hotbed for solar investment. Companies from China, Spain, and Italy are establishing manufacturing operations in the state. For example, Spanish company RioGlass Solar will locate its $95 million, two-phase U.S. headquarters and solar reflector manufacturing facility in Surprise, hiring 200 workers. The company will receive $10.6 million in federal tax credits and about $865,000 in infrastructure upgrades. "The excellent work force and rail-served land here are perfect for our U.S. operations," commented RioGlass Solar President and CEO José Maria Villanueva.

Colorado, Texas, and Oregon are among the top states for wind energy investments. Danish company Vestas Wind Systems continues to expand its U.S. presence with multiple projects. The company is constructing a $66 million headquarters in Portland, Oregon; incentives include a $1 million forgivable loan. In Colorado, Vestas will invest in a new $250 million manufacturing plant and an R&D facility that are responsible for a total of more than 600 new jobs. The company is eager to double its work force to fulfill turbine order demands.

Michigan, long known for its automotive prowess and advanced engineering capability, is quickly becoming a center for rechargeable battery R&D and production. Foreign companies announcing battery projects in the state include LG Chem in Holland ($244 million), Kokam Advanced Battery Group in Midland ($665 million), and Fortu PowerCell in North Muskegon ($119 million). This Switzerland-based company's 168,000-square-foot lithium-ion battery plant is the company's first global manufacturing facility. Fortu PowerCell received more than $100 million in Michigan advanced battery tax credits for the project.

 
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About the Author

Mark Crawford
Mark Crawford is a full-time freelance writer in Madison, Wisconsin, who specializes in business writing. He is also the author of five books.
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United States Inward Investment Location Profiles
ARIZONA
Arizona - A Great Place For Business

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic economies in the United States. Both Fortune 500 and start-up technology companies call Arizona home, reaping the advantages of a competitive business climate and tax structure; a skilled, knowledge based work force; and world-class innovation, cultural, and scenic resources.

ARKANSAS
Your Success Story Starts In Arkansas

Arkansas's transportation network and central U.S. location define the state as a strategic distribution center. Midway between Mexico City and Montreal, Arkansas offers a valuable distribution advantage.

Little Rock, Arkansas: A Globally Recognized Brand

For two years in a row, the Little Rock region has been named "America's Fourth Strongest Economy" by the Brookings Institution's MetroMonitor. The Wall Street Journal calls it the nation's "Sixth Best Real Estate Market," while Forbes says it is America's "Seventh Best Place for Jobs."

KANSAS
Wichita, Kansas USA - Site of Choice for Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises

Wichita, better known as the Air Capital of the World, has also been ranked #1 U.S. metro for aviation manufacturing. Wichita has the highest concentration of aircraft and aircraft parts manufacturing employment (skills) in the United States.

KENTUCKY
Kentucky Is a Global Business Center

Kentucky remains a leader in attracting foreign direct investment, with nearly 35 percent of announced new investment in 2012 due to FDI activity. Today, about 420 foreign-owned firms from 30 nations employ nearly 80,000 people in the state.

NEW YORK
Think New York for Business Opportunity

When you hear "New York" you probably think of tall buildings and Wall Street — not cows, pastures, and a state whose leading industry is agriculture. In fact, we have both, and the world is taking notice of the abundant milk supply, sophisticated transportation system, and oneday access to almost 100,000,000 consumers.

OHIO
The Columbus Region Grows Increasingly Global Each Year

The Columbus Region is a thriving 11-county area located in Central Ohio. Home to 15 Fortune 1000 headquarters, with two million people and a population growth rate of 1.3 percent annually, the Columbus Region is one of the fastestgrowing major metropolitan areas in the Midwest, and is growing more and more global each year.

The New Ohio — A Leader in New Job Creation

Profitable. Diverse. Motivated. Strategic. Global. These are the words that describe the new Ohio and make us a leader in new job creation in the U.S.

OKLAHOMA
Tulsa - Where Business Grows

Home to more than 950,000, Tulsa, Oklahoma, perfectly balances convenience and affordability with the advantages of a highly skilled work force, a central location, a pro-business atmosphere, and an excellent quality of life. It is a dynamic, growing region that offers the fifth-lowest cost for doing business in the nation and is home to some of the nation's largest companies. These assets combine to make an ideal home for progressive companies competing in a global economy.

TENNESSEE
Select Tennessee for Your Next Investment

Tennessee's ideal location, strong transportation infrastructure, low costs of doing business, and high quality work force provide an attractive setting for investments from around the globe. With most major U.S. markets within a day's drive, Tennessee provides immediate access to eight interstate highways, an extensive network of railways and waterways, and the world's second-busiest freight airport in Memphis.

WEST VIRGINIA
Plastics - West Virginia's Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

Offering one of the highest concentrations of hightech, specialty, and engineering polymer production in the world; an abundance of necessary raw materials; a knowledgeable, highly trained and productive work force; and established transportation systems; it is no wonder West Virginia is home to a vibrant and growing plastics industry.