DevLee

Auburn, Ala. – Straehle + Hess USA, Inc. has announced plans to expand its Auburn operations, currently housed in the Auburn Center for Developing Industries on Pumphrey Avenue, to an existing facility in Auburn Technology Park North. City of Auburn and company officials made the move official at a signing ceremony held at Auburn City Hall this afternoon.

Straehle + Hess specializes in high-end textiles for automobile manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Audi, Mercedes Benz, and Porsche. In 2004, Straehle + Hess located in Auburn as part of the City’s industry incubator program. The program allows companies to ramp up operations in an existing incubator facility before constructing a permanent facility. Over the last 20 years, the City of Auburn has graduated more than 10 companies from its incubator program, many of which have gone on to further expand their operations. Kirsten Schoenharting, Managing Director of the German parent company for Straehle + Hess, commented at the signing, “The City of Auburn has been a tremendous partner in our attempt to build a larger footprint for our company in the North American market. Auburn is an ideal environment for our business. Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, particularly the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering, has been a great resource for us over the last five years.” “I am pleased to see the investment in our incubator program is paying dividends,” said Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. “We congratulate Straehle + Hess on their expansion and look forward to seeing their production and hiring process ramp up.” The company was awarded a large contract for the new M-Class vehicle that will be produced by Mercedes Benz US International in Vance, AL. The expansion is expected to bring 20 new jobs and an additional capital investment of more than $500,000. Company officials expect to begin the hiring process in the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information, please contact the City of Auburn’s Workforce Development Division at (334) 501-7300.

Company Contact:
Straehle + Hess USA, Inc.
1490 Pumphrey Avenue
Auburn, AL 36832
(334) 501-0916

The West Pace Auto Mall, currently made up of Lynch Nissan, is now open in case you missed it. It’s still unclear what will come of this development though an auto mall doesn’t seem to go with some of the other names that were mentioned at the beginning of the development process. West Pace still seems to be a hot topic in the community. What are your thoughts?

West Pace Auto Mall

Bed Bath & Beyond in Tiger Town is now open. The 23,000 square feet store is located between Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/

Staffing Connections Opens Opelika-Auburn Branch; Launches New Website

Columbus, GA – October 6, 2008 – Staffing Connections has announced the opening of a new branch office in the Opelika/Auburn area, and the launch of their newly re-designed website.

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The new branch, which officially opened its doors for business on October 6th, is located at 404 South 7^th Street, Suite A in Opelika, Alabama. The branch will cater to the staffing needs of the Opelika, Auburn, Dadeville, Tallassee, Lanett, Tuskegee, Valley and West Point areas. Staffing Connections is headquartered in Columbus, GA and is locally owned and operated.

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We found Gus as well as a few helpers working hard to prepare the new store for opening on 9/11/08. Thanks to Gus & Family for letting us take some of their time to look around. The shop will have a Beer and Wine cooler in the back of the store with a custom built in Wine wall on the right side of the store. He’ll also have the store full of wine and beer displays and will have some new items not available anywhere else in Auburn.

Ribbon cutting will be held Thursday, September 11th, at 10:00a.m.- (1550 Opelika Road, Suite 5, Flints Crossing)

Located in the new and growing Tiger Town area, the Hampton Inn & Suites Opelika hotel offers a relaxing setting for the business and leisure traveler alike. Conveniently located on I-85 between Auburn and Opelika, Alabama, you’ll enjoy easy access to both cities’ business centers including northeast Opelika Industrial Park, Auburn University, East Alabama Medical Center and Auburn Technology Park, as well as sports venues like Westridge Dixie Youth Baseball, Duck Samford Sports and Auburn Softball Complexes.

The smoke-free Hampton Inn & Suites Opelika hotel features a total of 83 guest rooms and studio suites, all featuring the new Cloud Nine® Hampton Bed Experience. Each inviting guest room is beautifully appointed with a sleek cherry furniture design, featuring a flat screen 32” LCD TV, large working desk, complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, DVD player, crisp white bedding and your choice of down or foam pillow. A clock radio, lap desk, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and in-room coffee maker complete each room’s abundant amenities. One of our room designs is sure to make you feel at home with your choice of a standard double queen, a standard king room offering the luxury of a large walk-in shower, or king studio suites with separate living area, refrigerator and microwave.

SOURCE: Auburn-Opelika Convention & Tourism Bureau