FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 8, 2015) – Governor Steve Beshear today announced that WPT Corporation plans to expand its operations in Ohio County.
WPT, which manufactures textiles for the hygiene, medical and industrial markets, is expected to create up to 10 new jobs and invest $500,000 into the project.
"A major goal of our administration is to grow Kentucky's economy across the entire Commonwealth," Gov. Beshear said. "With the expansion of WPT Corporation in Beaver Dam, we are keeping that promise by providing one of our outstanding corporate citizens with the tools it needs to expand and hire more of our workforce. I want to congratulate WPT on its success and thank the company for investing in this community."
WPT plans to modernize its facility on South Main Street and add a new production line, which will be used to expand product capacity and meet increasing demand. The expansion is expected to begin this month with the new production line becoming fully operation early next year.
"We're excited for the opportunity to grow our family business in this community," said Travis Robbins, WPT's plant manager. "We employ 60 of the best Kentuckians in the state and plan to hire 10 more with the support and dedication of our customers and state and local governments, especially the staff in the economic development office who's been an intricate part of this process. We're thrilled to be a part of the Ohio County community and are thankful for the dedication and loyalty our employees put forth on a daily basis. This growth wouldn't be possible without them."
WPT started operations in Beaver Dam in 2008 with 15 employees. Production for the first three years focused primarily in the medical and personal hygiene sectors. In 2011, the company also started manufacturing textiles for the industrial sector. Today, the operation has more than 50 full-time workers.
"I was pleased to see the announcement of this expansion in Ohio County," said Sen. C.B. Embry, of Morgantown. "The types of jobs WPT Corporation creates are the type of good-paying jobs we want and need in the Commonwealth, and I commend them for their continuous improvement."
"I commend WPT for taking this step to expand and adding to its presence in Ohio County," said Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Philpot. "This is another positive sign for our community and will be a boost for those families benefiting from these new jobs and investment. I appreciate our local and state leaders working together to help make this possible."
"We are always excited when a business plans to make an investment in our community and create new jobs," said Beaver Dam Mayor Paul Sandefur. "It is especially gratifying to see a business, forged in the great recession, experience such success in the Beaver Dam community and for that success to necessitate such rapid growth."
"I am pleased to hear of WPT's growth and am excited for them to be hiring more help," said Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston. "Our Ohio County Economic Development Alliance is committed to helping our existing industries find the right tools for success, and we will be with WPT every step of their journey."
To encourage the investment and job creation, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $120,000 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.
To learn more about WPT Corporation, visit www.wptnonwovens.com
A detailed community profile for Beaver Dam (Ohio County) can be viewed here.