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' 535-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.

6-16-2009  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-acre 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.

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!

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.

12-3-2008  While Stafford County has traditionally "sold itself" as a prime location, businesses might soon have still more reason to locate here. The County is proactively taking a look at such incentive programs as Technology Zones. "We may need an additional tool in this tough economy," said Deputy County Administrator Tim Baroody.  "Anything we can do in-house without additional costs that encourages economic development is good," supervisor Paul Milde said.

Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia project is located along I-95 in both Stafford County and Fredericksburg, Va. Celebrate Virginia has already incorporated two residential developments into its massive 2,400-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination. One of its next phases will incorporate a corporate campus so that employers can enjoy proximity and a highly-educated workforce at less cost than D.C. and employees can enjoy reverse commutes and great amenities.

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.

10-30-2008   About half a billion dollars in defense procurement contracts flowed to companies in the Fredericksburg area last year, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. As a result, money is also flowing to hundreds of area support companies for goods and services.

The foundation is only growing stronger: Four years ago, according to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, there were about 350 contractors; today there are more than 800. Thanks to its proximity to the seat of government, numerous military bases and other factors, Virginia has been a magnet for defense contractors, with many area workers commuting to jobs at the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir and a host of other defense jobs in Northern Virginia.

"All of that contracting is important, and you're building on a nice base there," said Stephen Fuller, director of the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, and as a result, "it's given the Fredericksburg region an economy stronger than its population would have supported on its own."

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.

10-17-2008  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 on the Museum's grounds connecting the Museum to Patriot Park.

10-14-2008  Despite a difficult financial climate, Silver-McCann successfully closed an attractive, long-term mortgage loan that both reduced current debt service on one of its apartment properties and provided additional capital to Silver-McCann Apartment Group. 

10-12-2008  A  $28 million National Park Service memorial opened in Macon County, Alabama, within an easy drive of Celebrate Alabama in Lee County, Alabama. Estimated to draw thousands of new visitors each year, the memorial helps pay tribute to the brave African Americans who fought for our nation during World War II.

9-10-2008  Clearing of Silver Companies' 535-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination Celebrate Alabama is starting with site and roadway construction which will begin “within days.” The final details of the construction contract and are being worked out, and the permits from the Corps of Engineers are expected to follow within the next two months. Celebrate Alabama will span property near Interstate 85 between Exits 64 and 66 in Opelika. The project is expected to have retail stores, restaurants, hotels, a 100,000-square-foot expo center, a music hall and a five-screen, drive-in theater.

Silver Companies CEO Larry Silver has said it will probably take up to 18 months to prepare the Celebrate Alabama site before structural construction can begin. It will then take more than two years before the first business opens, he said.

8-12-08 More good news for the home of Silver Companies' Celebrate Alabama project. Opelika-Auburn news editorial gets behind improvements for the Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport proclaiming: "We are a community of growth and progress... When corporate executives fly into the community for the first time, we want to give them a good first impression.

...We want to show them we are a community dedicated to progress, dedicated to quality and dedicated to a commitment of excellence. "

...We can tout quality education, a strong work force and a perfect geographic location in regards to Atlanta and Montgomery when trying to lure industry and jobs into the area, but we must also show these executives we are committed to their needs."

8-22-2008 - 20-year industry veteran Mark Ambach has joined Silver Companies as President of Silver Capital Real Estate Funds.  Silver Capital, LLC, the private equity arm of Silver Companies, organizes funds that invest in commercial and residential real estate.  During the last five years Silver Capital has originated more than $1 billion of equity and debt financing for the acquisition and development of real estate projects.

8-19-2008 - Silver-McCann Apartment Group II, L.P. enters the Houston, Texas market with the acquisition of Villas at West Road Apartments. With this purchase, Silver Capital (a division of Silver Companies) and McCann Realty Partners add the fifth and final asset to their latest apartment investment fund, Silver-McCann Apartment Group II, L.P.  Their second fund closes with total acquisitions of $154 million made over the past 18 months.  Since Silver-McCann made its first acquisition in 2005, its two funds have acquired close to 3,200 apartment homes. 

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.

6-30-2008 - Silver-McCann Apartment Group II, L.P. Increases Portfolio in Metropolitan Atlanta, Acquiring Villas at South Point Apartments in McDonough, Georgia. Fund will close after next acquisition expected to bring total investments over a year-and-a-half to more than $150 million.

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.

6-11-2008  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.

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.

5-21-2008  Latest hotel achieves average occupancy of 71 just three months after opening in Opelika, and a second hotel currently under construction at the Capps Landing development is slated to open in about six months. “It’s far beyond expectations for a new hotel,” said Hampton Inn & Suites General Manager Amy Scott of their occupancy rates. Success attributed to large extent thanks to its proximity to TigerTown, as well as to the Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course.  “Being in the TigerTown area, it definitely gives us a very strong selling point,” she said.

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.

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

5-9-08 Silver Companies and Burroughs & Chapin Co. announce new plans for their joint venture under Copper Lakes LLC.  The planned Copper Lakes community in northern Greenville County will have approximately 550 home sites, a working farm and public market. The area's natural beauty, numerous lakes, river access, and varying topography will be a central focus.

5-7-08 Silver Companies breaks ground on a $20 million+ project -- a four-story, 127-room Hyatt Place in Germantown, Tenn. 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.

4-28-08 Alabama tourism up 10% over previous year with an estimated 22.4 million people having visited the state and spent over $9.3 billion in Alabama.

4-12-08  In just the past two years, 29 new industries have moved to Lee County, creating 1,539 new jobs and investing nearly $263.5 million. Auburn sales tax revenues have steadily grown since the late 1990s. Audited sales tax income grew from roughly $13 million in 2002 to nearly $21.8 million in 2007.

Opelika’s growth is even more evident. From 2002 to 2007, the city’s sales tax almost doubled, from approximately $8.3 million to $16.1 million.

"There’s positive and negative, but overall tremendous positive impact for growth,” said  Director of Auburn University’s Economic and Community Development Institute Joe Sumners.

4-3-08   The Auburn-Opelika area rose 15 places in the U.S. Census Bureau's list of the 100 fastest growing areas in the country, moving up from #89 in 2007 to claim the #74 spot in 2008.  Web site Forbes.com named the Auburn-Opelika area one of the fastest-growing metro areas earlier this year.

3-31-08  Opelika, Ala. Mayor Gary Fuller points to strength of City citing growth in commercial, retail and residential developments, low unemployment, new industrial expansion, the success of TigerTown and the announcement of a major entertainment destination, Silver Companies' Celebrate Alabama.

He goes on to mention that 2007 marked the third largest growth year, with a year-end total of $129.3 million in permits issued. Having said that, 2007 did represent the largest growth year the city has enjoyed in residential growth, literally quadrupling the number of homes under construction in one year.

3-28-08 Kia supplier to open a $35 million manufacturing plant in Harris County, creating 300 new jobs just miles from Silver Companies' Bryant Lake, a 386-acre residential land development located at the intersection of I-85 and US 27.

3-11-08 Less than 30 minutes from the Opelika/Auburn site chosen by Larry D. Silver to build the latest in his signature "Celebrate" projects, the planning for the expansion at Fort Benning, Ga., continues. Begun in 2001, more than $1 billion in construction to support Soldiers and their families have either been completed or under construction by 2011.

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.

2-20-08 Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A+' rating to Stafford County, Va.'s $49.5 million Economic Development Authority lease revenue bonds, series 2008. The long-term 'AA-' rating reflects Stafford County's strong economic growth, fueled by its location along the Interstate 95 corridor between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va., and good prospects for further development; low unemployment rate; moderate debt burden and manageable capital program; and variable financial results.

Among the Silver Companies projects located within Stafford County is Celebrate Virginia North, part of the 2,400-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination that is also North America's Largest Retail Resort.

12-17-07 Auburn-Opelika places sixth among the fastest growing small metros in the nation in rankings by Forbes.com. According to the article, the Auburn-Opelika area has a projected total GMP growth of 24 percent from 2007-2012 and is expected to have a population increase of 17 percent in the next five years.

“People want to do business here, and people want to live here,” said Cary Cox, director of work force development for the Auburn Training Connection. “The wheels were put in motion many, many years ago to make this a great place to live and a great place to do business.”

“We are in an ideal location only an hour and 15 minutes from the Atlanta airport,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “Opelika has five interchanges on I-85 plus two federal highways: 280 and 431. Our city is served by both CSX and Norfolk-Southern, No question institutions such as Auburn University, East Alabama Medical Center and Southern Union Community College play an important role, too.”