Transportation company A&A Express recently announced to cease operations, resulting in the layoff of 111 employees, including 85 truck drivers. The company, known for its specialization in transporting perishable goods such as meat products across the United States, cited challenges in securing capital from creditors as the primary reason for the closure. The president of Geno Cannon explained that despite the difficult circumstances, the company does not intend to file for bankruptcy and plans to pay all employees accordingly.
On August 9, the company officially filed a notice with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation that it intends to close its Brandon facility, which will result in the layoff of 111 employees. Under the WARN Act, employers with more than 100 employees at a facility must give authorities 60 days' notice of planned closures and layoffs.
Dick's Sporting Goods, a well-known retailer in the sporting goods industry, recently announced the forthcoming opening of a new distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas. The 800,000-square-foot facility will be situated in the Risinger/35 Logistics Park, conveniently located along I-35 and approximately 9 miles south of downtown Fort Worth. Construction on the state-of-the-art distribution center is projected to commence later this year, with an anticipated completion date in 2026. The facility will cater to the distribution needs of over 100 stores across multiple states, while also providing crucial support to Dick's retail locations and e-commerce operations within Texas. Furthermore, the establishment of the new distribution center is expected to generate more than 300 job opportunities.
Dick's Sporting Goods, a prominent figure in the industry with a vast network of over 850 stores nationwide, recently achieved impressive financial results, reporting first-quarter net sales of $3 billion, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This new distribution center marks an important strategic investment for the company as it continues to expand its operations and enhance its supply chain capabilities.
Two Wisconsin suppliers, Precision Cable Assemblies Inc. and Global Engineered Products, have been implicated in a case involving fraudulent commercial invoices and failure to pay customs duties. Precision Cable Assemblies Inc. specializes in selling battery wire and cable, while Global Engineered Products sells power distribution products. The companies allegedly received invoices from a Chinese supplier in spreadsheet format, and then manipulated the prices in the spreadsheets by 70%. The modified invoices were then submitted to a customs broker, who inadvertently passed to to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This scheme was an attempt by both companies to avoid paying millions of dollars in customs duties on imports from China.
As a result of these actions, Global Engineered Products has agreed to settle the case by paying CBP $4.2 million in lost duties. Additionally, both companies have collectively paid $6 million to the Department of Justice for providing false information and attempt to evade duty payments.
Norfolk Southern Corp is making a significant investment of over $200 million to enhance capacity along Alabama's rail line, catering to various industries such as agriculture, automotive, chemicals, forestry, and steel in a crucial freight corridor. The funding will not only be allocated towards increasing capacity but also improving terminal infrastructure, modernizing yards, and enhancing regional crossings. Specifically, Norfolk Southern aims to expand capacity on the 3B corridor, linking Alabama's only deepwater port with the northern and central regions of the state.
Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern, highlighted that this investment will play a pivotal role in enhancing the supply chain and further strengthening the railroad's competitiveness. With a rich history dating back to 1827, Norfolk Southern has been a key player in the transportation industry, contributing significantly to the American economy. The company annually handles over 7 million carloads of agricultural and consumer goods and operates in every major port on the Atlantic coast and key ports on the Gulf of Mexico. Presently, Norfolk Southern manages 1,300 miles of track in Alabama and serves a wide customer base of 565 clients.
Wells Enterprises, a leading ice cream manufacturer based in Le Mars, Iowa, has announced a substantial investment of $425 million to expand its ice cream plant located in Dunkirk, N.Y. This expansion will see the plant grow to 350,000 square feet and result in the creation of over 270 new jobs within the community.
The strategic investment will enable Wells to introduce new product lines, enhance customer offerings, and strengthen its market presence. Production of these new products is slated to commence in August 2025. Currently producing over 200 million gallons of ice cream annually, Wells distributes its products nationwide and employs more than 4,000 individuals. The director of external communications at Wells emphasized that the expanded production capacity will not only bolster the company's distribution capabilities in the Northeast and beyond but also create opportunities for local trucking companies. Additionally, the expansion is expected to benefit dairy farmers in the Northeast region, as the plant will continue to require millions of pounds of dairy products annually. New York has about 3,000 dairy farms that produce 15 billion pounds of milk annually, making it the nation's fifth-largest dairy state and the fourth-largest ice cream producer in the country. The significant investment by Wells Enterprises is poised to have a positive impact on the local economy, dairy industry, and job market in Dunkirk, N.Y.
The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) has opened applications for grants as part of the Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Program. This program is designed to support biofuel marketers, distributors, and fleet operators in expanding their infrastructure for biofuel production and distribution.
Applications for the grants will be accepted until mid-October, with grants scheduled to be awarded on November 29. The grants will be divided into two tiers based on business size and scope. Tier 1 includes fuel distributors or retailers with more than 5 locations, who may qualify for a maximum grant of up to 50% of eligible project costs or $500,000.
Tier 2 encompasses fuel retailers with fewer than 5 locations, private companies, and fleet owners, who may qualify for a maximum grant of up to 75% of eligible project costs or $250,000.
The grants will be provided to enhance infrastructure, upgrade equipment, improve dispensers and pumps, and develop infrastructure to promote the availability of environmentally friendly ethanol or biodiesel blends. Overall, the Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Program aims to support the growth of biofuel production and distribution in Missouri, while also promoting environmentally sustainable practices within the industry. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications to MASBDA for consideration before the deadline.
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