According to fDi Markets, China had 33 projects in the US in 2009, an increase of 106% on 2008. Capital investment was also up dramatically in the same period, growing by 205%. China’s projects in the US had been stagnant for the past three years, sitting at about 15 projects a year.

California was the recipient of the most Chinese projects, with eight in 2009, but Georgia and Texas are also emerging as top destinations – Georgia received four projects to Texas’ three. Neither state received any Chinese projects in 2008, and they totalled only 12 combined from 2003 to 2008.

One project came from a Chinese manufacturer of exercise equipment, CAP Barbell, which plans to open an assembly and distribution line in Savannah, Georgia. The plant will open in June 2010 and will be the company’s fifth US project.