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Gov. Steve Beshear recently joined community leaders and company executives from Walle Corporation, a leading label supplier to the consumer packaged goods industry, to announce the company will expand its Winchester operation. The company plans to invest more than $4.1 million in equipment that will allow it to increase printing production. The expansion will result in 23 new jobs at the plant, which currently employs 114 Kentuckians.
“Kentucky is pleased to play a role in the expansion of Walle Corporation, a company whose work can be seen on a variety of products used in everyday life,” said Gov. Beshear. “Walle’s $4.1 million investment and the addition of 23 new jobs will have a positive impact on the Winchester community and is a testament to the quality workforce and business climate Kentucky offers.”
Walle provides optimal label solutions for both small, growing companies and established Fortune 500 consumer brands in the food, beverage, household and personal care markets. Due to growing demands of its fast expanding shrink sleeve label business, the family owned and operated company is making the investment to increase printing production by 50 percent.
“Expanding our operations in Kentucky is an exciting development for Walle Corporation. Since we opened our facility in 1991, we have invested tens of millions of dollars to expand our operations – bringing innovative label products to our growing client base and providing stable, long-term employment for our associates,” said Sean Keeney, President & CEO of Walle Corporation. “We thank Governor Beshear, the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Winchester and Clark County Industrial Development Authority for their support. The preliminary approval of tax incentives will allow us to continue to grow our business, which in turn will translate into new job opportunities for the people of Winchester, Clark County and Kentucky. We must also thank our Kentucky-based employees for their continuous hard work, dedication and service to Walle’s customers over the last 20 years.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Walle Corporation for tax incentives up to $500,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive will allow Walle to keep a portion of its investment over a 10-year period through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
“This would be an exciting announcement for Winchester any time, but especially during these tough economic times,” said Sen. R.J. Palmer II of Winchester. “This investment in Walle Corporation is an investment in economic development for our community. These 23 additional jobs will provide new opportunities for our workforce and a boost to our economy.”
“Today’s announcement shows the confidence Walle Corporation has in our people and our community,” said Rep. Donna Mayfield of Winchester. “These new jobs will continue our efforts to turn around our economy and provide good jobs to Clark County. I applaud Walle Corporation and management at its Flexographic Division for continuing to call Winchester home.”
“Walle Corporation has been a stable jobs provider in our community for many years,” said Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner. “This newest expansion is great news for us and we welcome the new investment, the new jobs and the new opportunities Walle is providing for our citizens. Each job created by our business and industrial community is extremely important, whether it is one or one hundred.”
“In these tough economic times every job created is a success. We are so proud to have Walle expanding here in Clark County yet again,” stated Henry Branham, Clark County Judge Executive. “Walle continues to grow and prosper and has been a valuable corporate citizen to all Clark Countians over these many years. We applaud Walle, the Fiscal Court, the City of Winchester and the State of Kentucky for all working together to create more jobs for Winchester, Clark County and the region.”
For more information on Walle Corporation, visit http://walle.com.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.
A detailed community profile for Winchester (Clark County) can be viewed at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=093.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2009 totaled nearly $ 977 million with the creation of more than 6,600 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.
