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2021 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Project of the Year: Microsoft to Develop Software in Northern Virginia

The site plan for Microsoft’s Reston Town Center development also includes retail space for engaging directly with customer, an important part of the project, according to company officials.

Q2 2021
A Microsoft software development hub in northern Virginia will create as many as 1,500 new jobs. It’s a $64 million project supported by a state grant estimated at $22.5 million, and beyond the Microsoft operations, the site plan also includes retail space for engaging directly with customers.

That customer-engagement component is an important part of the project, according to company officials. Customer feedback is expected to weigh in on and improve technology development. The Reston Town Center development adds to the company’s existing Virginia presence, which also includes corporate locations in Reston and Richmond, plus an enterprise data center in Mecklenburg County.

Terrell Cox, general manager at Microsoft, noted the facility “will allow Microsoft to deliver even more solutions from a region known for its innovation and passion for technology.”

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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