Investment Announcement

Irving, Texas – October 15, 2026 -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has allocated up to $10 million to prepare North Carolina workers for modern manufacturing and industry technician roles. It is the sixth allocation under the company's five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative.

Caterpillar pairs $10 million training fund with a $1 billion North Carolina build-out

The workforce money follows Caterpillar's announcement that it plans to invest approximately $1 billion in North Carolina. The capital will expand manufacturing capacity for its Cat Compact business, which supplies compact equipment to small contractors and growing businesses. The plan includes a new facility in Sanford to increase production of compact track loaders and telehandlers.

Caterpillar's Clayton facility in the state already builds small wheel loaders and supports distribution of backhoe loaders.

Dallas – October 14, 2026 -- Lockheed Martin plans to create 6,000 jobs across the United States, including 2,000 in Texas, as it expands advanced manufacturing capacity for critical munitions. The company is investing $300 million at its Grand Prairie, Texas, operation and growing the site's footprint to more than 735,000 square feet.

Grand Prairie expansion adds 100,000 square feet of new space

The build-out includes 100,000 square feet of new space and 85,000 square feet of office space being converted for advanced manufacturing. The added room will support automation, digital manufacturing and high-precision machining.

Columbus – October 14, 2026 -- American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) plans to invest approximately $4 billion in a 702-megawatt fuel cell generation project near Cheyenne, Wyoming, backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google.

AEP controls 92% of the project company, Basalt funds hold nearly 8%

Google will buy power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC. AEP owns and controls about 92% of the entity, and funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP hold nearly 8%. AEP and its partners plan to start construction in 2026. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028.