December 21, 2009 - Hanwha announced a second major expansion of their manufacturing facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park.  “This new expansion will increase the company’s total investment in Opelika to approximately $43 million,” according to a press release issued by the City of Opelika.

December 2, 2009 - A Sonata that rolled down the assembly line at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery this week marked the one-millionth made at the plant  -- a huge milestone for Hyundai in Alabama.

Hyundai has become a major economic engine for Montgomery and central Alabama and the company and its employees now play huge roles in all facets of many central Alabama communities, not just Montgomery.

9-25-2009  Photographs from the Official Grand Opening of Hyatt Place Germantown --  new Gobal Hyatt hotel by Silver Companies and MMI Hotel Group.

9-21-2009  Auburn-Opelika is #9 on Business Week's Top 10 list of America's Strongest Building Markets. The Auburn metro, located near Atlanta, Birmingham and Montgomery, is home to Auburn University and Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Grand National.  It also is the home of Celebrate Alabama, Silver Companies' 530-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination currently in the early stages of development.

Multifamily building permits rose 688% during the first six months of this year, compared with the same period last year.

8-5-2009  Hyatt Hotel, MMI Hotel Group and Silver Companies announce the opening of Hyatt Place Germantown, a newly-built hotel designed to let business travelers have it all -- from a 42” flat-panel HDTV with plug-and-play capability, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed™, an eight-foot sectional sofa-sleeper and an ergonomic work table in every room to complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel, Starbucks© coffee drinks, 24-hour guest kitchen and fitness center and over 1,000 square feet of meeting space. 

The hotel is conveniently located on Winchester at Forest Hill Irene Road, a short distance from FedEx World Headquarters, Crew Training International and many other top companies. 

For reservations, please call 901 759 1174 ext. 3 or go to www.hyattplace.com.

6-23-2009  About 20,000 people came to Wegmans in Celebrate Virginia for opening day, a company spokeswoman said.

To put that number in perspective, the population of Fredericksburg was estimated at 22,291 as of a 2007 count by the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

6-22-2009  Wegmans wows big first-day crowd: At least one family traveled 70 minutes to Fredericksburg to be there for Opening Day of Wegmans in Celebrate Virginia.  Visitors enjoyed sampling, exploring, people-watching  and, of course, shopping at the brand new 139,000 square foot store.

The Freelance Star described the right side of the grocery phenomenon as "something of a gastronome's theme park. There's a coffee bar, a patisserie, a sushi station, a sit-down seafood bar with wine and beer by the glass, a burrito and panini bar, a kosher deli, a crab-cake counter, and a Thai and Indian buffet, among other things."

6-16-2009  Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. announced expansion plans for two Opelika/Auburn companies -- Cumberland Plastic Systems, LLC and Donaldson Company, Inc.  The news comes on the heels of Seohan Auto USA Corporation and Seohan-NTN Driveshaft USA Corporation announcing plans to expand production at their existing Auburn facility and add about 75 employees in the next two years.

“The fact that this is our third industry expansion announcement in the last two weeks tells me we are doing something right with the companies we are recruiting,” Ham said in a statement.

6-10-2009  Celebrate Alabama salutes Auburn for being one the 10 best places to live in the United States, according to a ranking released this week by U.S. News & World Report magazine. The Silver Companies' 535 retail, entertainment and attractions location is being built in the Opelika/Auburn market. 

U.S. News called Auburn a "diamond" with "mild winters and hot summers," and said Auburn University drives the culture and the economy. "...the city offers no shortage of outdoor recreation opportunities," the magazine said.

5-2-2009  Time to stretch out and enjoy good times and good tunes at the Celebrate Virginia Live summer concert season. If you missed the first show, you still have several more chances. Go to http://www.celebratevirginialive.com/ for a complete schedule, the latest information and more.

Stephanie and Howard Bowman snuggle during the first act at the Celebrate Virginia Live show last night.	Wailers' drummer Anthony Watson and 'Elan' work the crowd that turned out for the first concert of the Celebrate Virginia Live series.	Susan Furman of Tappahannock enjoys the music of The Wailers during the first concert of the Celebrate Virginia Live series last night.
ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR	ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR	ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR

DON'T MISS A SHOW! GO TO CELEBRATEVIRGINIALIVE.COM TO GET YOUR SEASON PASS NOW! ***EXTENDED THROUGH AUGUST***

4-30-2009  Celebrate Virginia Live will bring top-notch national touring acts to Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia project in Fredericksburg. Music will include Rock, Classic Rock, Jam, Country, Alternative and more. The season begins on Friday 5/1 and will run for a minimum of eight shows. Season passes are now available. 

Music acts include:  The Wailers, Keller Williams, Gin Blossoms and TONIC, Toad The Wet, Sprocket/Eddie From Ohio, Little Feat, Dark Star Orchestra, ZOSO, Jo Dee Messina, Travis Tritt

2009 sponsors include:  Miller Lite, Bailey's, Hampton Inn & Suites at Celebrate Virginia, Homewood Suites at Celebrate Virginia, Famous Daves, Papa John's Pizza and Capital Ale House

Connor's Heroes is the Official Charity of Celebrate Virginia Live!  Connor's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conquering childhood cancer: http://www.connorsheroes.org/

4-7-2009  WTVM news channel 9 reported a story confirming what Silver Companies officials have long felt, and which was among the chief reasons why it chose Opelika-Auburn as the site for its latest Celebrate destination: I-85 corridor provides prime real estate for hotels.

The planned Celebrate Alabama retail, entertainment and attractions destination lies directly along I-85 and covers the entire 2-mile stretch between exits 64 and 66. Current plans call for four hotels to be built within the 535-acre project.

3-25-2009  Forbes ranks the Auburn area #1 in job growth projections nationwide on its "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" List.  

Combining job growth projections with cost of doing business, education attainment and population metrics, Auburn further stands out as one of Forbes' Top 10 Best Small Places for Business and Careers.

3-19-2009  Two Alabama metro areas made the Census Bureau's list of the 100 fastest-growing metro areas from 2007 to 2008: Huntsville and Auburn-Opelika.

2-15-2009  Chicago Tribune reporter Steve Mills gives props to Alabama golfing, citing breathtaking views, world-class golf courses, and affordable green fees. His favorite location along the state's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail? Grand National in Opelika, of course, with its two courses the Lake and Links.

Since the first trail stops opened in the early 1990s, Alabama tourism has seen healthy increases, rising by about 4 million visitors from 2000 to 2007 alone, topping out at 22.4 million. Not surprisingly, the trail is said to get people more golf than they get elsewhere.

Celebrate Alabama is proud that it will be one of Grand National's neighbors; it too was one of the elements that made Opelika so attractive. Thanks Steve!

2-24-2009  Silver Companies Vice President Jervis Hairston, whose family is the subject of a critically acclaimed book on slavery, conducts tours of historic slavery sites in Fredericksburg. Germanna Community College and others dedicated to continuing education participate. 

1-2-2009  Last year proved to be one of growth and development for the city of Opelika, and Mayor Gary Fuller said he expects the new year to hold more of the same. Besides tremendous industrial growth, two major developments in Opelika began site preparation or construction in 2008 — the 535-acre Celebrate Alabama project and the $32 million Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center, slated to open by late July.

In addition, “there’s more activity and more construction in downtown Opelika than I’ve ever seen,” Fuller said.

11-16-2008  With the $4.5 billion complex now a year past groundbreaking, activity is increasing rapidly at the ThyssenKrupp site in north Mobile county, Alabama. Scott Bridge Co. of Opelika is leading efforts to build a dock for the complex, and is one of the many Alabama suppliers working on the massive project. ThyssenKrupp has awarded $1 billion in other contracts, with half that amount going to Alabama suppliers. Overall, ThyssenKrupp says it has awarded 30 percent of the bids it plans.

Beginning operations are expected to commence a little more than a year from now. According to the ThyssenKrupp web site, the Alabama facility will operate 24 hours per day and employ 2,700 people once fully operational.

11-16-2008  Silver Companies' choice for its next signature "Celebrate" location continues to attract projects that bring investment and jobs to Alabama even during tough economic times. Mobile County receives encouraging news from two companies -- Austal USA has a new potential $1.6 billion contract to build high speed transport vessels for the Pentagon and Evonik Degussa is also considering the plant for two other expansions that would result in adding 20 other jobs.

11-15-2008  Two of Forbes top 10 rankings of the Best Places to Live Now (In these economic times): are Alabama Counties with one taking first place honors: #1 Madison County and #7 Mobile County.

Affordable housing, job openings and low property taxes make Madison County the country's top place to live while weathering the economic downturn, according to a new Forbes report. Low unemployment, ease of commute, a diverse local economy were other factors.

10-24-2008   A growing number of individuals and businesses continue to move away from the Washington area into the counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania and the city of Fredericksburg. Local officials say that in the last 18 months, close to $300 million of new investment has been announced, including the Kalahari resort coming to Celebrate Virginia and the medical office campus.

Quantico, BRAC realignments, Virginia Railway Express, and quality housing and education are also listed as benefits to the area where Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia is located. The retail, entertainment and attractions destination spans property on both sides of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg and Stafford County and along I-95. 

10-17-2008  Celebrate Alabama's home town receives more great news as Opelika's own Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course is named the #1 Public Course in the country by GolfWorld magazine. Comments on GolfWorld.com include: The Senator is "as close to Scotland as you can get in Alabama," so remember to "keep it in the short grass." You'll love the "super playing surfaces, nice facilities and staff and great service." It's "golf heaven."

Grand National Golf Course is 11 minutes from Montgomery, AL and 19 minutes from Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field).

10-16-2008  Silver Companies CEO Larry Silver spoke Thursday during an Opelika Chamber of Commerce members breakfast at Saugahatchee Country Club. New developments for Celebrate Alabama include efforts to secure an indoor water park hotel and an expressed interest in the project by at least one person with local ties — Bo Jackson.  No official announcements were made, however, as the project is just getting underway. Silver Companies has begun clearing the site and is on schedule, Silver said. “We are getting ready any day — any week — to get our final Corps (of Engineers) permit.” The company will soon begin selling land-use bonds to fund the infrastructure for the site, Silver added.

10-16-2008  The National Infantry Museum moves closer to its March 2009 Grand Opening in Columbus, Ga. and invites people to recognize their own heroes  through commemorative pavers . The pavers will form a walkway from the Museum's grounds connecting the Museum to Patriot Park.

10-1-2008  Touted as the largest event in the Fredericksburg area "with a who's who list of vendors", the Fredericksburg Expo Center at Celebrate Virginia kicks off the Holiday season with its Fall Arts & Crafts Festival October 11 - 12.

9-17-2008  Regal Entertainment Group announces plans to renovate its Central Park movie theater while two other companies cast their eyes to Fredericksburg as a potential future location - Muvico Entertainment and Frank Theatres. 

"We think Fredericksburg is a growth area," said Bruce Frank, president of Frank Theaters. "We like what it represents for the future of entertainment."

7-31-2008 -  For the second time in less than a month, a company in Opelika has announced plans to expand. Korea-based Hanwha Alabama announced plans to add approximately 42,000 square feet to its 78,000-square-foot location in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park.

7-16-2008 - Regarding news that a $200 million Kalahari Resort will be built in Silver Companies' flagship "Celebrate" project located in Fredericksburg -- Celebrate Virginia -- City Economic Development Director Kevin Gullette said it will "completely redefine us as a tourism destination."

According to the Madison State Journal as reported by the Freelance Star, the Kalahari will sit on 49 acres next to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The project includes a 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, 100,000 square feet of conference space, and 700 guest rooms and suites. And the development to be announced is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the city.

6-21-2008 - Virginians find numerous reasons to celebrate the Wegman's food market concept, with its Celebrate Virginia location slated to open next summer on land adjacent to that of the hotels and convention campus. 

6-20-2008 - Silver Companies' Hyatt Place currently under construction in Germantown, Tennessee helps fill the area's need for hotel and meeting space, according to Pat Scroggs, executive director of the Germantown Chamber of Commerce, naming FedEx Corp as an example of the companies bringing more business and residents to the area and Germantown Horse Show, Germantown Festival and soccer events at Mike Rose Soccer Complex as among the draws that may benefit.

For now, Hyatt Place will become the immediate area's flagship hotel says local hotel consultant Chuck Pinkowski, adding "this is the first public building being developed at that intersection, and it is a high quality product servicing Collierville and Germantown." In addition to the Hyatt Place, Silver Companies is developing three outparcels designated for restaurants and shops to complement the hotel.

6-2-2008 - Silver Companies is in the process of taking bids from contractors to grade the site, according to CEO Larry D. Silver. “We have a massive grading job,” he said, adding that it was the second largest grading project in the area, trailing only the Kia plant in West Point, Ga.

6-11-2008  Seohan opens its $20 million facility in Auburn, just one of many Kia and Hyundai suppliers "popping up all over the area" and making even more jobs available for Auburn-Opelika area residents.

"It's a further commitment to the automotive industry and high technology based jobs in Auburn, Lee County, east Alabama and west Georgia," said Auburn Mayor Bill Ham.

Auburn is next door to Opelika, Ala., the location of Silver Companies' next signature Celebrate destination: Celebrate Alabama.

Summer 2008 - Magazine touts Celebrate Alabama as "the missing piece of the puzzle."

5-17-08 Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center in Celebrate Virginia serves as hub for half marathon that accounted for $2.3 million in tax revenue when race ran in 2006 in Arlington & Washington. While Fredericksburg officials know they won't see the same numbers, an economic boost from all the activities is welcome and expected. Events are planned to showcase both the historic downtown area of Fredericksburg and to draw them to the retail mecca of Central Park and the adjoining tourism development of Celebrate Virginia. More than 600 hotel rooms booked and crowds in excess of 24,000 anticipated with more than 6,000 runners from across the nation registered to participate.

"The whole region will benefit from this," said Fredericksburg economic development director Kevin Gullette. "I think everybody's going to feel the spillover."

5-9-08 While Forest Hill has long established itself as a high-end residential market, commercial developers in the area are beginning to see the fruits of their investment.  Area's demographics are a big draw -- With an average annual household income of $110,000, it's one of the wealthiest in the western part of Tennessee."

Silver Companies just began work on a 10+ acre site at the corner of Forest Hill Irene and Winchester Roads. The master developer broke ground on Tennessee's first new build Hyatt Place hotel earlier this month, which will anchor four additional parcels. Restaurant and retail concepts for the remaining parcels are currently being explored. Prospects should call 561-981-5252.

5-7-08 Silver Companies breaks ground on a $20 million+ project -- a four-story, 127-room Hyatt Place. Restaurants and an extended-stay hotel are being considered for parcels adjacent to the new Hyatt Place.

5-6-08 Silver Companies CEO Larry D. Silver together with City of Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy and MMI Hotel Group Co-Chairman Earle Jones Break Ground on Hyatt Place Germantown. Construction expected to Start May 19th.

4-23-08 Kalahari Resorts in Celebrate Virginia wins six of seven votes from Fredericksburg City Council members. City ordinances necessary to distribute tax-based incentives pass.

4-9-08 Kalahari project draws overwhelming support during public hearing. Kalahari's potential to create jobs praised along with the wide impact that its $230 million project will have in the local economy.

3-19-08 Consultant calls Kalahari the "gold standard" of water park hotel operators, and said its claims that it will generate nearly $6 million in new annual tax revenue for the city are reasonable. 

"There really is very limited direct risk to the city, which is very important," said James Prost, of Maryland-based Basile, Baumann, Prost, Cole & Associates. "A hotel project, and particularly a major resort hotel project like this, is going to bring in net revenue that the city would not otherwise receive."

4-3-08   The U.S. Census Bureau released its list of the 100 fastest growing areas in the country, and Auburn-Opelika area was among the chosen. The news follows on the heels of rankings by Web site Forbes.com, which named the Auburn-Opelika area one of the fastest-growing metro areas earlier this year.

3-7-08 Two new companies that will supply the new Kia plant being constructed close to Celebrate Alabama break ground. The projects by AJIN USA and MP Tech America represent a combined capital investment of $110 million and 700 new jobs. Chambers County, where the companies have located, adjoins Lee County, where Celebrate Alabama is located along I-85.

Alabama has now won eight new Kia suppliers, and 14 Hyundai suppliers in Alabama have expanded their operations to also supply Kia.

2-26-08 Local newspaper points to progress in Fredericksburg region; includes Celebrate Virginia South benchmark as example of improvements that bode well for the community.

5-7-2007  Alabama development office named best in U.S. Site Selection magazine Wednesday gave the office the 2006 Competitiveness Award. Last year, 568 companies located or expanded in Alabama, bringing 24,780 new jobs and more than $3.1 billion in capital investment. Companies coming include the planned $44 million,1,300-job Verizon Wireless call center in Huntsville and $107 million in capital investments planned in the Black Belt region that should bring nearly 1,100 jobs.