Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen joined company officials and local leaders to break ground on a new manufacturing facility for Graham Packaging, a manufacturer and designer of blow-molded plastic containers used to package a variety of consumer products.
Graham Packaging plans to create up to 68 new jobs in Bowling Green and invest $22 million over the life of the project.
“Today’s announcement is a demonstration that Graham Packaging continues to build on its growth as a leading global manufacturer in its field,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “We’ve worked hard with our community partners to make Kentucky attractive to businesses, and that work is paying off. I’m proud of the new jobs and the $22 million being invested here. This is a tremendous day for the Commonwealth, for Bowling Green, for Sun Products and for Graham.”
“Graham Packaging’s decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is exciting news for the Commonwealth and for Bowling Green,” said Lt. Gov. Luallen. “This is especially true when you consider the impact the 68 full-time jobs will have on the region. We wish the company continued success and prosperity.”
Graham Packaging plans to work with a developer to construct a 216,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park, as well as purchase new molding equipment. This facility will primarily support Sun Products, a North American provider of laundry detergent, fabric softeners and other household products. The company plans to be operational by early next year.
Graham Packaging has a strong Kentucky presence with three current facilities – one in Lexington and two in Florence. The company employs 230 people in the Commonwealth.
“The Graham Packaging team is very excited about joining the Bowling Green community,” said Malcolm Bundey, CEO of Graham Packaging Co. “We are very impressed with the quality of the workforce and sincerely appreciate the support from the citizens of Kentucky and especially Warren County to make it possible for us to locate and grow here. We look forward to supporting Sun Products, and the Bowling Green community for many years to come.”
Founded in 1970, Graham Packaging operates more than 90 plants around the world and is a worldwide leader in design and manufacture of customer rigid plastic packaging, serving the world’s finest brands across the food, beverage, household care, automotive and personal care markets. Many of the household products used every day are in Graham Packaging containers. In addition to a history of innovation, Graham leads a number of initiatives to provide environmentally sustainable containers, including plant-based ingredients as well as use of recycled plastics.
“Through hard work and dedication, Bowling Green continues to draw in quality manufacturing investments,” said Sen. Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green. “I am excited to have Graham Packaging join us in Bowling Green and expand its Kentucky presence to our region of the state.”
“I am excited to hear that industry leader Graham Packaging Company has decided to invest so much in our area and expand its presence in Kentucky,” said Rep. Jody Richards, of Bowling Green. “The workforce of Bowling Green continues to bring investment and job growth to our community. The Governor, our local officials and business leaders are to be congratulated for building an environment that creates and grows strong private sector jobs.”
“Over the last few years, Bowling Green and Warren County have taken on a greater role as an economic engine for South Central Kentucky and the Commonwealth as a whole,” said Rep. Jim DeCesare, of Bowling Green. “I want to welcome Graham Packaging Company to the growing list of new businesses calling our community home, and express my appreciation for the job opportunities they bring to our local workforce.”
“Graham Packaging is a world leader in their field, and we’re pleased to be a part of the company’s growth,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Michael Buchanon.
“It’s not the number of companies in a community that make a location a success; it is the quality of businesses that thrive there,” said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. “Graham Packaging exemplifies a company that has garnered not only the community’s respect, but the respect of industry leaders around the world. Its presence will foster new growth and give other area businesses another partner in success.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in Bowling Green, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1.2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
KEDFA also approved Graham Packaging for tax benefits up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing equipment.
In addition, Graham Packaging is eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 4,100 Kentucky companies.
For more information on Graham Packaging, visit www.grahampackaging.com.
A detailed community profile for Bowling Green (Warren County) can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.