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2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Microsoft Chooses Atlanta For New AI/Cloud Computing Facility

The promise of a robust talent pool from area universities, as well as proximity to other tech giants, helped solidify Microsoft’s decision to locate a new facility in Atlanta.

Q2 2021
Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are the focus areas at the new Microsoft development in Atlanta. It’s a $75 million project promising 1,500 jobs, some highly technical plus other support operations.

Microsoft is planning to fill half a million square feet at a building under construction in Atlantic Station, including “client facing” office space and a retail area. The promise of a robust talent pool from area universities, proximity to other tech giants like NCR Corp., and a history of successful public-private partnerships helped solidify Microsoft’s decision.

The company already has a cloud computing engineering center in the area, and offices in such Georgia places as Alpharetta and Buckhead.

2021 Gold Shovel Awards: The Winning States

  • Texas (12+ Million Population)
  • North Carolina (8 to 12 Million Population)
  • Michigan - Manufacturing (8 to 12 Million Population)
  • Arizona (5 to 8 Million Population)
  • Indiana - Manufacturing (5 to 8 Million Population)
  • Utah (3 to 5 Million Population)
  • Alabama - Manufacturing (3 to 5 Million Population)
  • Kansas (Under 3 Million Population)

2021 Silver Shovel Awards

12+ Million Population Category

  • Florida

8+ to 12 Million Population Category

  • Georgia
  • Ohio
  • Virginia

5+ to 8 Million Population Category

  • Missouri
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee

3+ to 5 Million Population Category

  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • Louisiana

Under 3 Million Population Category

  • Idaho
  • Mississippi
SlideshowTop 2020 Projects By State

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards: Projects Of The Year (2020)

MANUFACTURING
Company City/County # Jobs Inv. Amt.
Tesla Del Valle, TX 5,000 $1.1 billion
Northrop Grumman Corp. Weber County, UT 2,250 $380 million
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Phoenix, AZ 1,600 $8 billion
Grön Fuels West Baton Rouge,LA 1,025 $9.2 billion
Ultium Cells LLC Lordstown, OH 1,000 $1.5 billion
CREE Wolfspeed Marcy, NY 614 $1.1 billion
NON-MANUFACTURING
Company City/County # Jobs Inv. Amt.
Centene Corp. Charlotte, NC 3,237 $1 billion
Microsoft Corp. Atlanta, GA 1,500 $75 million
Microsoft Corp. Fairfax County,VA 1,500 $64 million
Accenture Federal Services LLC St. Louis, MO 1,400 $28.5 million
Netflix Albuquerque, NM 1,000 $150 million
Close

2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards: Top 2020 Projects By State

  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold: Texas

    Population: 28.99 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Tesla**Del ValleN5,000$1.1 billionAutomotive
    Max MidstreamPoint ComfortN474$1 billionOil & Gas
    Gulf Coast Ammonia LLCTexas CityN40$600 millionChemicals
    Freshpet Inc.EnnisN427$265 millionPet Food
    AmazonWacoN1,000$200 millionE-Commerce
    PelotonPlanoE1,600$10.5 millionCorporate Offices
     AmazonOak CliffN1,500E-Commerce
    FedExDallasN1,200$7.5 millionLogistics
    AmazonPflugervilleN1,000$250 millionE-Commerce
    Navistar International Corp.San AntonioN600$250 millionAutomotive
    **Manufacturing Project of the Year
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Florida

    Population: 21.73 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    PfizerTampaE300$20 millionLife Sciences
    Dollar TreeMarion CountyN700$232.5 millionLogistics/Distribution
    Saputo Inc.Hillsborough CountyE88$75 millionDairy Products
    CitigroupTampaE732$65.5 millionFinancial/Professional Services
    Synergy Technologies, LLCDuval CountyE300$1.4 millionInformation Technology
    The Boeing Co.JacksonvilleE334$25 millionAviation/Aerospace
    United Parcel Service Co.JacksonvilleE300$342 millionLogistics/Distribution
    Florida Can ManufacturingPolk CountyN160$120 millionAluminum Cans
    PennyMac LoanHillsboroughE400$5.6 millionFinancial/Professional Services
    NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc.Lee CountyE295$27.5 millionCorporate Headquarters
    Sponsor: *Enterprise Florida
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold: *North Carolina

    Population: 10.6 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Centene Corp.** Charlotte N 3,237 $1 billion IT Headquarters
    Bandwidth Inc. Raleigh E 1,165 $103.4 million Information Technology
    BioAgilytix Labs Durham N 878 $61.5 million Biotechnology
    Pratt & Whitney Asheville N 800 $650 million Aircraft Engine Components
    Eli Lilly and Co. Durham County N 462 $474 million Pharmaceuticals (M)
    Ontex Group** Rockingham County N 352 $78.3 million Personal Hygiene Products
    Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. Eden N 300 $450 million Pet Foods
    Thermo Fisher Scientific* Greenville E 500 $500 million Pharmaceuticals/Packaging
    UPS Alamance County N 451 $262.2 million Warehousing/Distribution
    Audentes Therapeutics Sanford N 209 $109.4 million Gene Therapy Products
    **Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsors: *Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
    *Greenville-ENC Alliance
    **Rockingham County Economic Development
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold-Manufacturing: *Michigan

    Population: 10.0 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    The Kroger Co.WayneN270$95 millionWarehousing/Distribution
    Magna Electric Vehicle Structures - Michigan, Inc.St. ClairN304$70.1 millionMobility & Automotive
    Dakkota Integrated Systems, LLCWayneE400$45 millionMobility & Automotive
    The Paslin CompanyMacombE200$45 millionAssembly/Automation Systems
    Magna Seating of America Inc.WayneE480$35.4 millionMobility & Automotive
    Detroit Manufacturing Systems, LLCWayneE225$31.9 millionMobility & Automotive
    Perrigo Co.KentE170$18.4 millionHeadquarters
    Marelli North America, IncOaklandE100$17.1 millionEngineering/Design/Development
    Bridgewater InteriorsEatonE400$15.9 millionAutomotive
    Wacker Chemical Corp.WashtenawN70$68 millionHeadquarters

    Sponsors: *Michigan Economic Development Corp.
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Georgia

    Population: 10.62 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Microsoft** AtlantaN1,500$75 millionAI & Cloud Services
    ZinusMcDonoughN804$108.2 millionMattresses
    AmazonApplingN800$200 millionE-Commerce
    HelloFreshNewnanN750$7 millionFood Distribution
    DeluxeSandy SpringsN709$10 millionFinTech
    ThredUpDuluthE700$30 millionDistribution
    Hyundai TransysWest PointN678$240 millionAutomotive
    Bang Energy*DouglasvilleN600$145 millionBeverages
    FacebookSocial CircleE200$2.3 billionData Center
    Nestlé Purina PetCareHartwellE130$550 millionPet Food
    *Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsors: **Georgia Department of Economic Development;
    Georgia Ports
    *Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Ohio

    Population: 11.69 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Ultium Cells LLC**LordstownN1,000$1.5 billionAutomotive
    Nestlé Purina PetCare Co.WilliamsburgN300$550 millionFood/Agribusiness
    Stakes Manufacturing, LLCEastlakeE400$33.5 millionApparel Printing
    GOJO Industries, Inc.NavarreE296$176.2 millionHygiene Products
    United Parcel Service, Inc.HenryN606$154 millionLogistics/Distribution
    PureCycle: Ohio LLCHamiltonE51$213.2 millionRecycled Polypropylene
    Andelyn Biosciences, Inc.ColumbusN170$90 millionBiotechnology
    Pella Corp.TroyN428$15.7 millionWindows/Doors
    Union Home Mortgage Corp.StrongsvilleE450$10.9 millionFinancial Services
    Meijer Stores Limited PartnershipTipp CityE137$160.6 millionWarehousing/Distribution
    **Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsors: *Jobs Ohio
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Virginia

    Population: 8.69 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Hershey Chocolate of Virginia Inc.Augusta CountyE110$135 millionFood Products
    DuPontChesterfield CountyE60$110.5 millionAdvanced Materials
    Cerio, LLCFrederick CountyE25$90 millionData Center
    KD NavienJames City CountyN180$77.5 millionBoilers/Water Heaters
    Microsoft Corp.**Fairfax CountyN1,500$64 millionSoftware Development
    DHL Exel, Inc.Stafford CountyN577$72 millionDistribution/Logistics
    SimpliSafeHenrico CountyN572$5.5 millionCustomer Support
    T-Mobile USA, Inc.Henrico CountyE500$30 millionCustomer Support
    TORC RoboticsMontgomery CountyE350$8.5 millonSoftware Development
    East Coast Repair & FabricationNewport NewsE332$64.4 millionMarine Vessel Maintenance & Repair
    **Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsor: *Virginia Economic Development Partnership
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold: *Arizona

    Population: 7.29 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.**PhoenixN1,600$8 billionSemiconductors
    Commercial Metals Co.* MesaE186$435 millionSteel Fabrication
    Ball Corp.GlendaleN145$238.6 millionMetal Packaging
    Red Bull North AmericaGlendaleE65$131 millionBeverages
    Zoom CommunicationsScottsdaleN250$11.4 millionIT & Software
    Northrop Grumman* GilbertE274$66.1 millionAerospace & Defense
    AmazonMaricopa CountyN1,975$20 millionE-Commerce
    PMG CompaniesLake Havasu CityN263$23 millionConsumer Products
    Global Energy SolutionsEloyN176$101.6 millionEnergy Storage
    The RealReal* PhoenixN1,685$29 millionDistribution/Logistics
    **Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsors: *Arizona Department of Commerce
    *Salt River Project
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold-Manufacturing: *Indiana

    Population: 6.73 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    AmazonGreenfieldN800$80 millionE-Commerce
    Barletta Boat Co., LLCBristolE250$7 millionPlastics & Rubber
    Corsicana Mattress Co.La PorteN350$8.6 millionFurniture & Related Products
    Elanco US Inc.IndianapolisN573$122.5 millionChemicals/Pharma
    Electric Last Mile, Inc.MishawakaN960$303.4 millionAutomotive
    Gruma Corp. PlainfieldN544$148.5 millionFood Processing
    Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.GreenwoodN481$6.8 millionElectrical Equipment/Components/Appliance
    NewCold Indianapolis Operations, LLCLebanonN202$152.1 millionWarehousing/Storage
    Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.LafayetteE350$158 millionAutomotive
    Walmart Fulfillment Services, LLCGreenfieldN1,000$606 millionLogistics/Distribution
    Sponsor: *Indiana Economic Development Corp.
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Missouri

    Population: 6.10 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    FordKansas CityE150$100 millionAutomotive
    Thermo Fisher ScientificSt. LouisE250$50 millionLife Sciences
    PurinaBloomfieldE30$83 millionPet Care Products
    Bennett PackagingKansas CityE24$69.6 millionDigital Arts
    Accenture Federal Services LLC**St. LouisN1,400$28.5 millionFinancial & Professional Services
    Chewy, Inc.BeltonN1,200$143.2 millionLogistics & Distribution
    Veterans UnitedColumbiaN600$14.1 millionFinancial & Professional Services
    BoxyCharmBeltonN250$50 millionLogistics & Distribution
    Plumrose USAMoberlyN190$68.6 millionFood Processing
    Meleleuca, Inc.Kansas CityN202$12.3 millionLogistics & Distribution
    **Non-Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsor: *Missouri One Start
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: South Carolina

    Population: 5.27 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Mark Anthony.Brewing, IncRichland CountyN300$400 millionBrewery
    WalmartDorchester CountyN1,000$220 millionWarehousing/Distribution
    Agriculture Technology Campus (Mastronardi, Clear Water Farms, LiDestri Food and Drink)Hampton CountyN1,500$314 millionAg/Aquaculture
    DC Blox, Inc.Greenville CountyN5$200 millionHeadquarters/R&D
    Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp.Lexington CountyE380$215.8 millionPharmaceutical Prep
    Techtronic Industries (TTI)Anderson CountyE525$100 millionConsumer Products
    Vigilent LabsCharleston CountyN400$104.6 millionPharmaceutical
    Santa Cruz Nutritionals, LLCSumter CountyN164$84 millionPharmaceutical Prep
    Ross Stores, Inc.York CountyE700$68 millionWarehousing/Distribution
    Arrival North AmericaYork CountyN240$46 millionAutomotive
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Tennessee

    Population: 6.77 million

    CompanyCityN/EJob CreationInvestmentIndustry
    Domtar Paper Co. LLCKingsportE137$320 millionPaper Mills
    McKee Foods Corp.CollegedaleE125$225 millionFood Products
    The Lampo GroupFranklinE599$52.4 millionFinancial Services
    TTI Floor CareCookevilleE500$20 millionElectrical Appliances
    General Motors, LLCSpring HillE0$1.7 billionAutomotive
    Amazon.com Services, Inc.Mount JulietE1,000$250 millionE-Commerce
    Amazon.com Services, Inc.MemphisE1,000$200 millionE-Commerce
    Agero, Inc.ClarksvilleE900$2 millionTravel Services
    FacebookGallatinN100$800 millionData Processing, Hosting, &
    Related Services
    Smile Direct ClubColumbiaE630$34.1 millionDental Products
    Sponsor: *Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold: Utah

    Population: 3.21 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Northrop Grumman Corp.* ** Weber County N 2,250 $380 million Aerospace/Defense
    Procter & Gamble Co. Box Elder County E 221 $310 million Consumer Products
    Malouf Nibley E 1,195 $120 million Consumer Products
    Williams International* Ogden E 300 $60 million Aerospace/Defense
    HealthEquity Draper E 550 $41 million Finance/IT
    RS Technologies, Inc. St. Geroge N 358 $35 million Composite Utility Poles
    Misfits Market West Jordan N 600 $25 million Food Products
    Cytiva (Hyclone Laboratories, LLC) Logan E 160 $18.7 million Life Sciences
    Go Health, LLC Lindon E 1,159 $10 million IT
    Quotient Technology, Inc. Salt Lake N 520 $10 million IT
    **Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsor: *Northern Utah Economic Alliance
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold-Manufacturing: *Alabama

    Population: 4.93 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Warrior Met Coal BCE, LLCTuscaloosa CountyN359$528.5 millionMetallurgical Coal
    HomeTexSelmaN300$10.5 millionTextiles & Apparel
    AirbusMobileE275$40 millionAerospace
    DURA Automotive SystemsMuscle ShoalsN279$59 millionAutomotive
    ALDI, Inc.*LoxleyN200$100 millionHeadquarters/Distribution
    Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USHuntsvilleE0$830 millionAutomotive
    AM/NS Calvert (Arcelor Mittal)MobileE200$775 millionSteel
    SiO2 Materials ScienceAuburnE220$163 millionBiotechnology
    Pinnacle Renewable EnergyDemopolisN45$95 millionWood Products
    Coastal GrowersAtmoreN150$87 millionFarm Products
    Sponsor: *Alabama Department of Commerce; AIDT
    *Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Arkansas

    Population: 3.02 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Amazon Little Rock N 1,000 N/A E-Commerce
    Amazon North Little Rock N 500 N/A E-Commerce
    Emerson Ash Flat N 245 $35 million Electronics
    Nice-Pak Jonesboro E 300 $65 million Sanitation Wipes
    Nestlé Jonesboro E 100 $100 million Food Processing
    SCA Pharma Little Rock E 175 $13.5 million Biotech/Pharmaceuticals
    Revolution Little Rock E 66 $21 million Recycled Plastics
    Gerber Fort Smith E 50 $30 million Food Processing
    Fiocchi Little Rock N 57 $15 million Firearms Ammunition
    La-Z-Boy Siloam Springs E 125 N/A Furniture
    Sponsor: *Arkansas Economic Development Commission
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Connecticut

    Population: 3.5 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Infosys* HartfordE1,000$20.6 millionIT/Software
    SCA PharmaceuticalsWindsorE360$10 millionLife Sciences/BioPharma
    ASMLWiltonE100$100 millionMecatronics
    Sema4StamfordN300$6 millionLife Sciences/BioPharma
    AmazonWallingfordN500$53.8 millionE-Commerce
    Wren KitchensMilfordN300$24 millionCabinets
    AmazonWindsorN1,500$237 millionE-Commerce
    JescraftOxfordN100$17.3 millionIndustrial Materials
    Putnam PlasticsKillinglyE250$2 millionMedical Devices
    Nuvance Health SystemsDanburyN500$5 millionCorporate Offices
    Sponsor: *AdvanceCT
    *Metro Hartford Alliance
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Louisiana

    Population: 4.70 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Gron Fuels** West Baton Rouge N 1,025 $9.2 billion Renewable Fuels
    Mitsubishi Chemical Ascension Parish N 125 $1 billion Chemicals
    Amazon Lafayette Parish N 500 $100 million E-Commerce
    REG Geismar Ascension Parish E 60 $825 million Renewable Fuels
    ExxonMobil East Baton Rouge E 20 $244 million Petroleum Refinery
    School Mint Lafayette Parish N 178 $500,000 IT/Education Headquarters
    Service Corp. International Jefferson Parish E 115 $500,000 Corporate Offices
    Click Here Digital East Baton Rouge Parish E 100 $1.2 million IT Digital/Marketing Headquarters
    Westfield Fluid Controls Lafayette Parish N 67 $5.1 million Aerospace
    E.I. Williams Webster Parish N 100 $700,000 Industrial Sound Control
    **Manufacturing Project of the Year
    Sponsor: *Louisiana Economic Development;
    Port of South Louisiana
  • 2020 Top Projects - Gold: *Kansas

    Population: 2.91 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Urban Outfitters, Inc.* Kansas City N 1,734 $403 million Logistics/Distribution
    Amazon* Kansas City N 750 $75 million E-Commerce
    Amazon Park City N 700 $75 million E-Commerce
    Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., LLC Lenexa E 300 $40 million Biotechnology/Pharma
    Pretzels, LLC Lawrence N 281 $88 million Food Processing
    PDI, Inc. Edgerton N 226 $175 million Healthcare Products
    Schwan’s Co. Salina E 225 $356 million Food Processing
    Amazon Shawnee N 200 $30 million E-Commerce
    Kubota North America Corp./ Great Plains Manufacturing Salina N 130 $53 million Construction Equipment
    Nor-Am Logistics South LLC Dodge City N 50 $44.8 million Cold Storage Warehouse
    Sponsor: *Kansas Department of Commerce
    *Wyandotte Economic Development Council
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Idaho

    Population: 1.79 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    True West Beef LLCJeromeN520$195 millionBeef Processing
    Lamb WestonPower CountyE70$90 millionPotato Processing
    GoGo squeeZNampaE53$32.8 millionFood Processing
    PetlQ*EagleN171$22 millionPet Food/Pharma Headquarters
    Western AircraftBoiseE113$19 millionAircraft Maintenance
    Production TechnologiesPrestonN93$1 millionFabrication/Powder Coating
    LactalisCanyon CountyE75$1.7 millionFood Processing
    ScoularJeromeN12$20 millionBarley Processing
    Metal Quest Unlimited LLCPost FallsN25$3.8 millionFabricated Metals
    Frigitek PocatelloN50$53 millionCold Storage
    Sponsor: *Idaho Commerce
    *City of Eagle Economic Development
  • 2020 Top Projects - Silver: *Mississippi

    Population: 2.98 million

    Company City N/E Job Creation Investment Industry
    Associated Wholesale GrocersHernandoN79$300 millionFood Distribution
    AmazonMadison CountyN1,000$200 millionE-Commerce
    Calgon CarbonBay St. LouisE38$185 millionActivated Carbon Products
    Mission Forest ProductsCorinthN130$160 millionAgribusiness/Lumber
    Kimberly-ClarkCorinthE33$140 millionNonwoven Components
    Navistar DefenseWest PointE500$8 millionMilitary Vehicles
    IG Design GroupMarshall CountyE300$57.4 millionPaper Products Distribution
    Material BankOlive BranchN300$14.5 millionArchitecture/Design
    Products Distribution
    Gulf ShipGulfportE200$6.7 millionShipbuilding
    Loss PreventionNatchezN200$3 millionHeadquarters
    Sponsor: *Mississipi Development Authority;
    Mississippi Power Authority
  • 2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards: Projects Of The Year (2020)

    MANUFACTURING
    Company City/County # Jobs Inv. Amt.
    Tesla Del Valle, TX 5,000 $1.1 billion
    Northrop Grumman Corp. Weber County, UT 2,250 $380 million
    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Phoenix, AZ 1,600 $8 billion
    Grön Fuels West Baton Rouge,LA 1,025 $9.2 billion
    Ultium Cells LLC Lordstown, OH 1,000 $1.5 billion
    CREE Wolfspeed Marcy, NY 614 $1.1 billion
    NON-MANUFACTURING
    Company City/County # Jobs Inv. Amt.
    Centene Corp. Charlotte, NC 3,237 $1 billion
    Microsoft Corp. Atlanta, GA 1,500 $75 million
    Microsoft Corp. Fairfax County,VA 1,500 $64 million
    Accenture Federal Services LLC St. Louis, MO 1,400 $28.5 million
    Netflix Albuquerque, NM 1,000 $150 million

Top Fulfillment Center Projects*

Company City/County # Jobs Inv. Amt.
Urban Outfitters, Inc.Kansas City, KS1,734$403 million
Chewy, Inc.Belton, MO1,200$143.2 million
WalmartGreenfield, IN1,000$606 million
WalmartDorchester County, SC1,000$220 million
Dollar TreeMarion County, FL700$232.5 million
Ross Stores,Inc.York County, SC700$68 million
Kroger/OcadoFrederick, MD550$245 million
*In terms of jobs + investment, excluding Amazon

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