August 2006

Welcome to eFYI, your exclusive monthly e-newsletter from Greater Louisville Inc. - The Metro Chamber of Commerce. As one of our valued partners, you can count on eFYI to cover the topics and issues of most interest and benefit to you. Share your comments and ideas with us any time at VFisher@greaterlouisville.com.


E.ON (formerly LG&E) ranks first in survey on customer satisfaction
Two local businesses get backing from seed fund, investors
Growth in Mexico fuels demand for UPS hub expansion
Downtown condos to break ground
GE to invest $3.5 million in new Monogram 'arena'
Icon Metal plans to spend $6.1 million at Corydon plant
VA to build new hospital in Louisville
Businesses pick downtown


E.ON (formerly LG&E) ranks first in survey on customer satisfaction


E.ON U.S., parent company of Louisville Gas and Electric Co., has placed first in residential customer satisfaction among 15 Midwestern electric utilities, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

It is the seventh time in eight years that the research firm's annual survey has crowned the local utility No. 1 in the Midwest region. Read more.

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Two local businesses get backing from seed fund, investors

Two Louisville life-sciences companies each have received about $1 million in early-stage funding fueled by contributions from the Kentucky Seed Capital Fund and several state-supported agencies.

RhinoCyte Inc. has received investments totaling $930,000. The company which was founded by Uni­versity of Louisville researcher Fred J. Roisen, is developing ways to treat neurological diseases using adult stem cells gathered from a patient's nose.

ApoImmune, founded in 2001 by University of Louisville professor Haval Shirwan, has received more than $1.2 million in funding for research. The company is developing therapies for treating cancer and other autoimmune deficiencies. Read more.

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Growth in Mexico fuels demand for UPS hub expansion

Less than a month after United Parcel Service Inc. announced a $1 billion expansion of its Worldport international air-cargo hub, the shipping giant began flying a new route from Louisville to Chihuahua, Mexico.
That fact alone isn't astonishing, given that UPS rapidly is expanding its air-freight service offerings. But the addition of another route between Louisville and Mexico is a microcosm of the growth precipitating the need for the hub addition.

UPS has more than 1,100 employees and 430 delivery vehicles in Mexico, making it UPS's largest market in Latin America and one of the fastest-growing markets UPS serves. Read more.

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Downtown condos to break ground

After nearly two years of delays, groundbreaking has been set to mark the start of construction on a condominium venture across from Louisville Slugger Field.

Construction of the five-story, $27 million Fleur de Lis on Main, an 82-unit complex southwest of Main and Preston streets, should be completed by late 2007.

Units will sell for $220,000 to $540,000.
Read more.

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GE to invest $3.5 million in new Monogram 'arena'

This arena will get built.

GE Consumer & Industrial, which for the 11 years has experienced double-digit annual growth in its high-end Monogram appliance line, will build a $3.5 million "arena" to showcase its products to distributors, architects, designers and chefs.
The 9,000-square-foot center will be located at the Global Customer Center at GE's Appliance Park. Read more.



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Icon Metal plans to spend $6.1 million at Corydon plant

A Harrison County automotive stamping company is planning a $6.1 million expansion.

Icon Metal Forming LLC, a division of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada-based Martinrea International Inc., intends to invest the money to buy equipment.
Icon officials also are considering the addition of 125 jobs over the next five years. The company now employs 360 people. Read more.


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VA to build new hospital in Louisville

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have announced that they will build a new hospital in Louisville to replace its 55-year-old VA Medical Center on Zorn Avenue.

The new downtown hospital would have about 250 beds and the estimated cost would be about $250 million.

The current VA hospital could remain open as a long-term care facility for veterans or as an outpatient clinic. Read more.

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Businesses pick downtown

The vacant brick building at 809 S. Eighth St. needed a lot more than new carpet and a little fresh paint before it could become the modern office and laboratory space its new owner required.

The 24,000-square-foot structure had housed many businesses, including a hub, spoke and wheel factory, a truck springs shop, and a garage for customizing luxury buses. But after a century or more of use, the building was far past its prime.

But Dave Dafoe, founder/owner of Pro-Liquitech, saw enough potential in the rundown building to invest more than $1 million toward its purchase and rehabilitation.

Pro-Liquitech is one of a growing number of Louisville-area businesses moving downtown and renovating older buildings. Read more.

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2006 © Greater Louisville Inc. - The Metro Chamber of Commerce