FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 11, 2015) – Governor Steve Beshear today announced that Kimball International Inc. (NASDAQ: KBAL) is planning to expand its National Office Furniture facility in Ohio County.
Kimball, a manufacturer of furniture for offices and the hospitality industry, plans to create up to 42 new jobs and invest $318,000 into the project.
"Kimball is another example of a company that has found success in Kentucky and is growing," Gov. Beshear said. "I want to congratulate the company for reinvesting in Ohio County and adding to the economic footprint in western Kentucky."
The company plans to use the 195,000-square-foot facility for the production of Kimball Hospitality furniture. This move will not only add new jobs to the area, but will also bring product previously made in Asia back to the United States. Production is expected to start later this month.
"We are very excited about the expansion of our operations in our Fordsville facility," said Kevin McCoy, president of National Office Furniture. "We feel that the most important contributor of our success is our people. Product and processes can be copied; people cannot. We believe our people in Fordsville made it possible for us to make this investment."
Kimball opened in Fordsville in 1973. The facility, which currently employs 181 people, produces National Office Furniture for companies around the world. The Indiana-based company also has a manufacturing plant in Danville.
"The good news of Kimball's expansion not only speaks to the enduring quality of its product, but also serves as a good sign for our local economy," said Sen. C.B. Embry, of Morgantown. "I celebrate this company's continued success and community involvement."
"I'm really pleased and want to applaud Kimball for making this investment and creating these additional jobs," said Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Philpot. "This company has been part of Ohio County's corporate foundation for decades and is poised for greater success for decades to come. I want to commend its leaders and our state and local economic development officials for working together to help make this possible."
"To have a manufacturing facility located in a town of 536 people, 14 miles away from the nearest federal highway, is truly a delight," said Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston. "Kimball's expansion of the Fordsville facility is a testament to the work ethic and productivity of our citizens here in Ohio County."
To encourage the investment and job growth in Fordsville, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $300,000 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.
For more information on Kimball International, Inc. (NASDAQ: KBAL), visit www.kimball.com.
A detailed community profile for Ohio County can be viewed here.
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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 2012 totaled nearly $2.7 billion with the creation of more than 14,000 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.