Big Biz Announcments Around the State

Many businesses with large expansions or contractions (and associated employment numbers) made this week's Around the State list.

The good news:

Union Pacific Railroad will spend about $33.5 million to improve its rail line between Oakridge and Harrisburg and its rail yard in Eugene. It is installing 26 miles of track and 81,000 railroad ties as part of the 75-mile track improvement. The company has 1,000 miles of track and about 1,600 employees in Oregon. The Register-Guard, 3/9/2011

Manzanita Fresh Foods is adding an 18,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate a deli and bakery. It plans to add about 12 employees. Headlight-Herald, 3/2/2011

Shimadzu U.S.A. Manufacturing will expand its Canby-based manufacturing facility in order to increase capacity and add as many as 50 jobs. It manufactures parts for analytic equipment, medical equipment, and aircraft. Daily Journal of Commerce, 3/4/2011

The not-so-good news:

Brotherton Pipeline in Gold Hill will no longer handle the bulk of natural gas pipeline installation in Oregon for Avista Utilities, which will result in two dozen layoffs. It will continue its Avista work in Klamath Falls, LaGrande, and Roseburg. Mail Tribune, 3/8/2011

Phoenix-based Associated Fruit laid off at least a dozen employees across all parts of its operation and plans to operate on a reduced scale during the upcoming season. Mail Tribune, 3/8/2011

Get more announcements in the latest edition, or by using our Around the State search tool!