Image via Wikipedia
Governor Steve Beshear today announced Union County Livestock will add a new product line at its Uniontown plant. The expansion will allow the company to create 25 new, full-time jobs and will entail a capital investment of $860,000 in the Commonwealth.
“More than two dozen people will have new employment opportunities as a result of Union County Livestock’s expansion,” Gov. Beshear said. “Projects like this one demonstrate the successful partnerships we’re creating with our local communities and existing industries to create jobs for Kentuckians and bring in new investment to the state. I congratulate Union County Livestock on this exciting expansion.”
Union County Livestock, which operates Jim David Meats and Little Kentucky Smokehouse, supplies products to national retail stores such as Wal-Mart, Food Giant, Moonlite, Kroger, Sam’s Club and many others, as well as schools and individuals within a 100-mile radius. The company plans to add a smokehouse and other equipment for a new product line of barbequed items. The company, located in a 31,000 square-foot facility at 400 T Frank Wathen Road, currently employs 32 people.
“We are a company that desires to seek growth and wants to remain focused with the task at hand,” said Jim Baird, president of Union County Livestock. “I’m proud to say I work with a group of optimistic people and because of them this business expansion is possible.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Union County Livestock for tax incentives up to $200,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows the 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.
“It is an honor to be a part of such an exciting announcement,” said Sen. Dorsey Ridley, of Henderson. “Our region will reap the rewards of economic growth and additional job opportunities with the expansion of Union County Livestock. On behalf of the area, I appreciate Gov. Beshear taking the lead to support our industry, their employees and their families. The Governor continues to seek out and support industry growth in our community. This is the leadership we need and have come to expect from Governor Beshear. Thank you, Governor.”
“I’m really pleased to see Union County Livestock take this step and that the state can play a role in making it possible,” said Rep. John Arnold, of Sturgis. “This investment and the new jobs it will provide could not come at a better time for our community and our farmers.”
“Union County Livestock is taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself by working hard to remain one of the top competitors in the industry,” said Uniontown Mayor Ricky Millikan. “I am confident this expansion will impact our community and the region.”
“It is exciting to see Union County Livestock’s determination to prosper and excel during these difficult economic times,” said Union County Judge-Executive Jody Jenkins. “I believe they will inspire other companies in the area wanting to expand in our region.”
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 at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.
A detailed community profile for Uniontown (Union County) can be viewed at http://thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=015.
