The Year in Norcross Business

As 2011 winds down, it is instructive to take stock of the year that was. In Norcros that is as much a story of business as anything else. Even with a still-stagnant economy across the state and country, Norcross has had an incredible number of victories. 

Big Names for a Small Town

Not long after the January blow of , the positive news started to roll in. In February, FedEx broke ground on a massive new shipping facility off Atlantic Boulevard in the City of Norcross. The project is expected to cost $55 million and create over 300 jobs, all considered. 

A medical laboratory that tests samples from all around the world, QualTex, opened up a new high-tech lab in April, bringing an estimated 100 new jobs to the $12 million facility over five years. 

In June, Bagcraft Papercon, a company that makes custom food containers, opened a new facility in the Norcross area. The $7.3 million site brought 196 new jobs with it.   

. After adding 35 jobs in the first part of the year, the company announced in July that it would expand its Norcross plant and add another 11 jobs. 

In the biggest big business story of the year,  The $10 billion Fortune 500 company will bring about 500 new jobs to Gwinnett in the coming years. 

Hyundai Contruction opened the doors of a new headquarters for the Americas in the City of Norcross in early December. The $10 million facility will create an estimated 100 jobs in the area over time. 

Small and Local Grows, Too

But the glut of new businesses has not been limited to big names. right in historic Norcross this summer, which has played host to a variety of community events. 

A new dog treat company will soon be open in downtown Norcross, too. Earth Dog Bakery, which will have a shop front on Skin Alley, makes unique dog treats that address the needs of particular breeds of dogs.

In October, Patch wrote about a new sari shop in the Global Mall that offers high-fashion Indian saris with a unique twist: they can be rented for an occasion instead of bought outright.

And don't forget the , which officially opened on Nov. 16. 

Looking Ahead to 2012

There are also signs of the things to come. talking in September about potentially bringing new retail and business opportunities downtown.

Norcross Hospitality Inc. requested to be annexed into the city limits rather than become a part of the new City of Peachtree Corners. , changing all the rooms to suites and paving the way for two new restaurants to come into the space.

A  

Editor's Note: The original version of this article stated that Suniva would be part of the new City of Peachtree Corners. It is actually a part of the City of Norcross.