While tech trims fat, heavy industry is hiring big.
Stripe is laying off. So is Snowflake. Fintech and SaaS aren't done bleeding. But outside the Silicon Beltway, there's another story unfolding: jobs are being created—big ones.
This week alone, three major players announced over $4 billion in new investment and 2,300+ new jobs across manufacturing and advanced materials.
Who's hiring and where:
Amgen (AMGN) — $650M expansion of its U.S. manufacturing network, adding 750 jobs. Focus: bio-manufacturing. While Amgen hasn’t disclosed the exact site, the move is tied to its push for resilient domestic production capacity. Source
GE Appliances (subsidiary of Haier) — $3B investment over 5 years, creating 1,000 jobs across five states, including Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Indiana. The company is automating and scaling its appliance manufacturing and logistics footprint. Source
Aclara Resources (TSX:ARA) — $277M into the U.S.'s first heavy rare earth separation facility in Southwest Louisiana. Around 600 jobs (direct + indirect). This is part of a broader push to secure U.S. access to critical minerals for defense and clean energy tech. Source
Why this matters: The layoffs at tech companies dominate headlines. But while they're shrinking, other sectors are expanding.
These aren't speculative projects. These are filed, funded, and in motion. They involve long-term hiring, facility builds, and local ecosystem impact.
What we’re seeing:
Jobs tied directly to physical facilities
Investment attached to regional supply chains
Capital committed for 3–5+ year buildouts
Regional breakdown:
Louisiana is gaining traction in energy-transition manufacturing. Aclara’s plant adds to a growing base of rare earth and hydrogen investments.
The Southeast (KY, GA, AL) continues to land reshoring wins. GE Appliances is expanding near rail and port infrastructure.
Midwest states like Indiana and Ohio benefit from support services: logistics, packaging, maintenance, local contractors.
Meanwhile, the coasts are still in correction mode. Layoffs continue in tech and commercial vacancy rates are rising.
What we're watching next:
Which suppliers follow these lead moves
How much of this capex depends on state or federal incentives
Whether the workforce is ready and available in these metros
The Smart Move: If you're a founder or investor, don’t just track layoffs. Track spending.
This week: $4B deployed, 2,300+ jobs coming. In sectors and cities the headlines are ignoring.
Want to see real-time capex and job creation signals across every U.S. county?
Make your next move count.
Stacy
Founder, CEO - Smart Movers Club
P.S. Take this 1-question survey to help us tailor content to you!
If you were forwarded this email and would like to keep getting Club Daily delivered to your inbox, please subscribe below.
Disclaimer: This publication is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not tailored to your circumstances, is not a complete statement of the matters discussed, and should not be relied upon as investment, legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, or other professional advice. Speak with your own professional advisors about how any information may apply to you.
Smart Movers Club LLC makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of the information and disclaims liability for any errors or omissions.
Nothing herein is an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation of any security, financial instrument, or product. This publication does not form the basis of any contract and does not create a fiduciary, advisory, or client relationship with Smart Movers Club LLC. References to third-party content are for illustration only and are not endorsements. Smart Movers Club LLC is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of third-party materials.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and may change without notice.