Verizon Wireless will build a high-tech headquarters facility in Huntsville, Ala., for its state operations. Verizon will bring an investment of more than $44 million to the metro area.

The company’s 152,389 square foot facility is expected to be completed in late 2007. The company plans to break ground by the end of the year, with hiring to begin next summer.

The company plans to hire 1,300 employees. The work force will include personnel in customer service and business functions.

Huntsville and the state of Alabama have succeeded in creating an inviting business climate that persuaded the company to make a substantial commitment and investment in the state, said Jim McGean, president of the Georgia/Alabama Region for Verizon.

He said the new facility is an important component of the company’s commitment to provide the best customer service in the industry.

“Our new headquarters and customer service center will help us continue to grow and improve the company’s responsiveness to our existing base of close to 55 million customers, while preparing for future growth as we continue to expand our portfolio of products and services,” McGean said. “We have the most loyal customers in the wireless industry because of our network and customer service, and we want to keep it that way. We look forward to growing our business and succeeding, along with the state of Alabama.”

The city of Huntsville, the Madison County Commission, Huntsville Utilities and Tennessee Valley Authority will provide site and infrastructure support. Alabama Industrial Development Training will work with Verizon to support recruitment and training.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $110 million during the past two years in Alabama to expand and enhance its wireless network to stay ahead of the growing demand for its products and services across the state, according to the company.

Automotive Supplier Launches in Opelika

Maxforma Plastic LLC opened its new plant in Opelika earlier this year. The company, part of the automotive division of South Korea-based Hanwha L&C Corp., employs 70 workers at the plant, and the work force will eventually expand to 200.

Maxforma Plastic’s facility occupies a 20-acre, 80,000 square foot site in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, located along Interstate 85. The company joins fellow automotive suppliers Benteler Automotive and Mando America Corp. at the park.

Maxforma Plastics, a tier-one supplier to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama in Montgomery, is producing bumper back beams and the bumper’s impact-resistant core at the facility.

“We are confident that our business will grow and be successful in Opelika from the support and cooperation we have received from the city,” said Daniel Yu, vice president and chief operating officer for Maxforma Plastics.

Another automotive supplier, Great Lakes Metal Stamping Inc. (GLMS) broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in the Cusseta Industrial Park in Cusseta.

Bridgman, Mich.,-based GLMS will produce stamped metal components, along with welded and mechanically fastened subassemblies, for automobile manufacturers in the South.

The facility will occupy an estimated 10 acres and will cover 30,000 square feet, with expansion plans of up to 80,000 square feet. It represents an initial capital investment of about $3.5 million with employment expected to exceed 50 workers when fully operational.

Officials in Montgomery opened a new industrial park in early October. The Montgomery Industrial Park is a 345-acre tract of land and represents an $11 million investment by Montgomery County. The plan is to develop the land as a high-end industrial and office park.

Even prior to the official opening, ProEthic Pharmaceuticals Inc. opened its new 43,000 square foot facility at the park. The company is using the facility for office and warehouse space.

ProEthic is the first company to move into the industrial park.

“This milestone is a tribute, not only to the efforts of our talented employees, but to the support we have received from the [city] of Montgomery,” said Carl Whatley, chairman and CEO of ProEthic. “The county’s unrelenting effort to move this project forward in a way that met our needs exemplifies its resolve and willingness to make Montgomery a great place to do business.”