In a joint news conference today at the Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Conference Room, State, City, County, and Economic Development Corporation officials extended a warm welcome to Hopkins County’s newest major business:
Berry Plastics Corporation
Governor Steve Beshear today joined local and company officials in Western Kentucky to announce Berry Plastics Corporation will expand its Kentucky operations in Madisonville, with a $96 million investment and the creation of 420 new, full-time jobs.
“This is a tremendous day for the Commonwealth, Madisonville and Berry Plastics, with 420 jobs and an investment of nearly $100 million on the way,” said Gov. Beshear. “Berry Plastics hit the $1 billion mark in sales back in 2005, and the company continues to build on its growth as the leading global manufacturer in its field.”
The new company will occupy the 150,000+ sq ft facility formerly owned by Rexam Corporation, which was purchased by Berry Plastics and closed in early 2012. Rexam had employed approximately 140 people.
“I am very pleased to announce that we will soon begin the reconfiguring of our Madisonville, Kentucky, facility which is slated to begin production in 2013,” said Jon Rich, Chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics. “We are extremely appreciative of the State of Kentucky for their support of this initiative which will allow us to reopen the facility, creating the opportunity for new jobs within the region and specifically the Madisonville community.”
Berry acquired the Madisonville (Hopkins County) facility during its acquisition of Rexam’s specialty and beverage closures business in August 2011. Earlier this year, the Company shuttered the facility, as a result of the redistribution of production to its other rigid closed top manufacturing facilities. Berry announced today that it will convert the facility to manufacture rigid open top products.
Established in 1967, Berry Plastics manufactures injection-molded plastic packaging, thermoformed products, flexible films and packaging, as well as tapes and corrosion protection products. The company, which has more than 950 current employees in Kentucky at facilities in Franklin, Danville, Louisville and Bowling Green, plans to expand operations in order to add new production lines to meet increased global demand.
“Today is indeed a great day in Madisonville,” said Madisonville Mayor David Jackson. “The City of Madisonville welcomes Berry Plastics’ investment of capital and jobs to our industrial community. The tremendous investment and large number of jobs will have a wonderful impact on our community. Many of our citizens will have increased opportunities to prosper economically leading to higher standards of living. Our thanks go to Berry Plastics for making the decision to invest in Madisonville, to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for assisting in this project, the Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation for steering the project, and the wonderful citizens of Madisonville, whose work ethic and desire for growth makes this city competitive in economic development.”
“On behalf of the citizens of Hopkins County, I wish to applaud Berry Plastics for choosing Madisonville and Hopkins County for this new manufacturing operation,” said Hopkins County Judge-Executive Donald Carroll. “The selection of Hopkins County for this new operation shows to us that Berry Plastics has wisely chosen a location where they will be welcomed as a new partner and citizen. We pledge as a community to work with Berry Plastics in achieving success with this plant now and in the future. We are excited about the tremendous number of jobs and investment and what that means for Hopkins County. Our thanks go out to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the local economic development corporation for their efforts.”
Kent Mills, Chairman of the Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, said that the MHCEDC has worked with the company for several months on the selection of Madisonville/Hopkins County for this significant new project. He stated, ”This new Berry Plastics production facility represents one of the largest projects ever announced in Madisonville and Hopkins County. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the company and will work closely as a partner to realize success for the company and community.” He applauded Berry Plastics and the team of company officials led by Randy Becker, Chief operating Officer, and Kevin Wilson, Director of Corporate Development, who worked with the MHCEDC and state, eventually selecting Madisonville. Chairman Mills stated, “Locally, this was a team project.” He saluted the partnership of the City of Madisonville, Hopkins County, MHCEDC, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Madisonville Community College, Kentucky Utilities and Atmos Energy, for their diligence and cooperation on this project. He also extended a personal thanks to Mayor David Jackson, Judge Executive Donald Carroll, the members of the City Council and the County Fiscal Court, Senator Jerry Rhoads and Representative Ben Waide for their support and assistance.
For additional information Contact:
Gerald Cook President Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation 755 Industrial Road Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 270-821-1939
Development Alliance Formed
By Doreen Dennis, Messenger Staff Writer, ddennis@the-messenger.com
Published: Sunday, April 8, 2012 7:23 AM CDT
In the current economy, agencies across the country have had to make conscientious choices when it comes to spending monetary funds. That may be why groups are joining forces to keep their viability alive.
The Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corp. has partnered with economic development agencies in Caldwell, Lyon and Muhlenberg counties to become a top member of KentuckyUnited.
KentuckyUnited is a statewide partnership established three years ago by cities to promote economic development. Gerald Cook, president of the local EDC, said funds simply weren’t available to join the state agency.
“We formed a marketing partnership with three other counties and pulled our resources equally to become oneof 12 of the top-tier alliances,” he said.
Only 12 top positions are available in the KentuckyUnited membership, Cook said, which offers maximum exposure in marketing events. The four-county economic development group has been named the Western Kentucky Bluegrass Alliance. Cook said among the three participation levels offered by KentuckyUnited, the top level provides the highest exposure.
This will allow Hopkins County to participate in marketing missions in the U.S. and to be in contact with potential industries and new companies. The membership also permits the area to be on an even playing field with other cities for advancement in economic development, he said.
Since funding has been cut in the state economic development cabinet, the private sector has had to step up to promote this state, Cook said, and it’s a goodpromotional tool. The four counties will alternate participating in marketing conferences, which will begin in July.
“We will save money by working together,” he said. “We need to save as much as we can and work smarter, while gaining exposure to compete in attracting economic development.”
Cook said Owensboro, Paducah, Henderson and Bowling Green are among some of the higher-level cities currently participating in the program.
United Central Industrial Supply, Inc. announces the expansion of its Madisonville facility located on National Mine Drive. The development will result in a 16,000 sq. ft. addition to their building, which will more than double the size of their current facility. The company has decided to consolidate its Henderson operation with the one in Madisonville. Click here to read News Advisory.
High Tech Chrome Plating, Inc. in Madisonville will invest nearly $2.0 million to expand its Hopkins County facility by 18,000 sq. ft. The company's increased production demands will result in the eventual hiring of approximately 15 additional employees. High Tech Chrome Plating provides chrome plating of specialized rollers and equipment used in a wide variety of manufacturing applications. Click here to read News Advisory
Attention Entrepreneurs! Join other local entrepreneurs for an evening of discussion on Thursday, December 1 at the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation located at 755 Industrial Road in Madisonville from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Guest speakers will be Marion Miller, President of Complete Marketing Resources, Inc. in Madisonville, and David Murphy, Professor of Business Administration at Madisonville Community College. They will discuss how to market and promote your products and services. A complimentary dinner will be served. Please R.S.V.P. to RPadgett@kentuckyedc.com or by calling 270-821-1939. Click here for more detail
Computer Professionals will want to know "What's the POINT?" P.O.I.N.T. is the Professional Organization for Network Technology. P.O.I.N.T. will host a free social event, followed by guest speaker Mike Hopkins, President of DEVsource, an I.T. company in Murray, KY, on Thursday, November 3 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at the Brown Badgett, Sr. Energy and Advanced Technology Center on the campus of Madisonville Community College. A light meal will be served. RSVP required. Click here for flyerClick here for News Release
Interstate 69 has become a reality in Hopkins County. Governor Steve Beshear unveiled the familiar red, white and blue shield signs during a ceremony commemorating the designation, which was held at Southside Elementary School in Nortonville on October 25, 2011. Read The Messenger article
Governor Steve Beshear announced that Carhartt, Inc. in Hanson, Kentucky will invest more than $11 million in its Hopkins County plant to improve operational efficiencies and energy conservation. The investment will allow the company to retain its existing workforce of 550 Kentuckians and add more than 150 employees. Click here to read News Release
Conn-Weld Industries, headquartered in Princeton, West Virginia, is one of Hopkins County's newest business ventures. Conn-Weld manufactures custom vibrating and filter screens for a variety of industries including the coal industry, and will occupy the former Tri-Valley Millennium Plastics building the the Greater Madisonville Industrial Park. Click here to read News Release
The annual Progress Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:30am at Covenant Community Church in Madisonville. The event honors Hopkins County manufacturers and processors. Dr. Lee Trover Todd will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $20.00 and are available by calling 270-821-1939 or by e-mailing Ruthann Padgett at RPadgett@kentuckyedc.com. Click here to registerClick here for more information
Congratulations to AllSource Logistics on its new location in Dawson Springs. AllSource Logistics specializes in public and contract warehousing and will serve as a distribution center for Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Click here to read News Advisory
Congratulations to Madisonville's G.E. Aviation plant for being awarded the Governor's Safety and Health Award on June 16, 2011. The plant employees have worked in excess of 4.8 million man hours without a lost-time injury or illness. Read The Messenger article.
Jennmar of West Kentucky will invest $1.13 million to expand its Hopkins County plant by 16,000 square feet. The company's increased production demands will result in the hiring of 20 to 30 additional employees. Jennmar manufactures roof bolts for the underground coal mining industry. Click here to read News Advisory. Read The Messenger article.
The WEBstaurant Store, Inc. will locate a new distribution center in Madisonville for the company's growing e-commerce business. WEBstaurant is a leader in online distribution of foodservice equipment and supplies. The company will invest $3.3 million in the Madisonville location, and will initially create 50 new jobs, growing to 95 jobs over the next several years. Click here to read News Advisory.Read The Messenger article.Click here for Job Opportunities.
The Bluegrass Journal - A monthly update of economic development news in Hopkins County. Click here to view.
