Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and representatives from Washington Penn Plastic Co. to celebrate the beginning of construction for the company’s new manufacturing facility in Clark County, a nearly $105 million investment that will create 88 full-time, Kentucky jobs.
“It is an exciting time to be doing business here in the commonwealth, and companies throughout the U.S. and around the world are taking advantage of our state’s business-friendly environment,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am thrilled to be here today celebrating this welcomed next step for Washington Penn, the community of Winchester and the state’s manufacturing sector. I look forward to watching the company’s continued success here in Kentucky.”
The company’s new, nearly 250,000-square-foot facility will be located on 70 acres in Winchester and help the company produce polypropylene and polyethylene compounds in pellet form to be shipped to customers around the world. The land will also allow room for additional expansion efforts and solar electricity generation. The 88 full-time jobs created with this investment will include production line operators, shipping and receiving technicians, process engineers, supervisors and quality management roles. Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in 2025.
“Washington Penn is excited to continue working with its partners in Kentucky and the Winchester community and to begin operations in Winchester,” said Will Torpey, president of Washington Penn.
Washington Penn is a family-owned manufacturer founded in 1954. Today, it is a leading provider of polypropylene and polyethylene compounds. Washington Penn operates over 40 plastic compounding lines in eight facilities across North America, Asia and Europe, including a production facility in Frankfort, Kentucky, supplying custom polyolefin compounds to the automotive, appliance, construction, consumer, packaging and industrial markets.
Clark County Judge/Executive Les Yates is thankful for Washington Penn’s announcement and the economic boost the company will provide to the region. “This is an exciting announcement. We are truly grateful for this opportunity. This project will add good-paying jobs and investment to our county. We want to welcome and thank Washington Penn for selecting Clark County for its continued growth and success.”
Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed noted the company’s history in the plastics industry and welcomed Washington Penn to the community. “This is outstanding for our community from a jobs and investment standpoint, but also because Washington Penn has such a rich history in the plastics industry and an outstanding reputation for quality and community. We are thrilled that they have chosen Winchester for their next facility!”
Brad Sowden, executive director of the Winchester-Clark County Industrial Development Authority (WCCIDA), praised the teamwork that made this announcement possible: “A big thank you to the WCCIDA Board of Directors. Their support, leadership and guidance were instrumental to this project. Washington Penn will be a great corporate addition to our community. Dennis, Ryan and their team have been magnificent to work with and we are excited to welcome them to Winchester and Clark County. I want to thank Ashlee Chilton and her team at Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development, R.J. Corman Railroad and their team, the KPDI program and LG&E-KU’s Opportunity Kentucky Fund. There were so many moving pieces to bring this opportunity to Winchester and Clark County. I certainly want to thank Mayor Reed and Judge Yates for their support of this project but most importantly, their support and dedication to the people of our community.”
John Bevington, senior director of Business and Economic Development for LG&E and KU, highlighted the ideal fit between the company and community for this new facility: “Washington Penn’s growth and new location in Winchester is a perfect combination of planning, collaboration and success. The planning and development of this site by the Winchester Clark County Industrial Authority; the collaborative investment in site readiness by the KPDI program, the community and KU’s Opportunity Kentucky grant and Washington Penn’s growth and success in Kentucky are a near perfect economic development picture. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.”