FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Play Mart Inc., an industry leader in recycled plastic play systems, will add to Kentucky’s growing manufacturing industry with a $1.7 million investment in the company’s current operation in Pulaski County, creating 10 new full-time jobs.
“Play Mart is a shining example of how Kentucky’s thriving manufacturing sector is continuing to fuel economic growth,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re attracting world-class companies from around the globe, but a key part of our success remains homegrown companies like Play Mart, which has provided quality jobs in Pulaski County for over four decades. I want to thank Play Mart’s leadership for continuing to believe in Kentucky, and I look forward to their next 40 years of success in the commonwealth.”
The project will see the company expand its current manufacturing facility in Pulaski County by 43,200 square feet, bringing the total operating square footage to over 103,000. This increased space will allow for additional equipment, personnel and materials to meet growing customer demand and fulfill contracts for child development centers at military bases across the globe. Play Mart’s investment will create 10 full-time jobs, bringing the company’s total Kentucky employment to 47.
“As the founders and owners of Play Mart, we are excited to receive recognition and potential funds from the state of Kentucky,” said Dennis and Rebecca Beach, co-founders of Play Mart. “We have had a passion since 1981, as stated in our Mission Statement, ‘to provide children the opportunity of experiencing a safe, environmentally friendly, and creative place in which to play and grow.’ In the work environment, we strive to work together with our employees to create a safe, environmentally friendly and creative place in which each person has freedom to use his or her God-given gifts and abilities. Our concern for children’s development and our employees has been the driving force behind our manufacturing business and personal lives.”
Play Mart was founded in 1981 under the name Beach and Sons. After federal regulations radically changed the safety and design standards of playgrounds, the Beaches were among the first to introduce new, updated designs that were in compliance with the new guidelines. In 1993, the Beaches added a partner and transitioned from a sole proprietorship to the Play Mart corporation of today.
Because of the risks and long-term upkeep challenges associated with materials such as wood and powder-coated metal, Play Mart eventually settled on recycled plastic lumber. In 2006, Play Mart purchased its own extruder and grinding equipment and later introduced Recycled Structural Plastic (RSP). This innovative material is composed of 100% recycled high-density polyethylene, sourced from post-industrial milk jugs, and stands up to rigorous testing with lower costs.
Pulaski County Judge/Executive Marshall Todd is thrilled to see the company grow in the community: “I am very happy to hear about the upcoming expansion project for Play Mart. It would be difficult to measure how much joy a company like Play Mart has provided to its customers and families across the world over the years, but the special part of their story is that they are located right here in Somerset. Recreation is a cornerstone of the American way of life, and when families have a place to play, they have a place to call home. We are proud that Play Mart is a part of our home and adding to the workforce here in Pulaski County.”
Somerset Mayor Alan Keck noted the importance of growing and supporting existing businesses in the city and region: “So much of our economic development strategy in Somerset and Pulaski County has centered around improving quality of life and taking care of our existing businesses. We’ve seen incredible economic growth as a result, as many of those businesses have chosen to expand their operations because our community is now a place their employees want to live. I’m thrilled Play Mart continues to call Somerset home and has solidified that decision today with a 40,000-square-foot expansion that will add jobs and help elevate its already nationwide presence. I’m proud of this female-owned, family-operated business and look forward to celebrating its continued success.”
Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority, congratulated Play Mart on the expansion and highlighted their continuous efforts to grow: “Play Mart is an amazing entrepreneurial success story, and we are so happy to be the birthplace of their business and where they choose to call home. Their leadership team has worked tirelessly for decades to expand their customer base to a world and nationwide audience and this new expansion is a testament to their hard work, determination and entrepreneurial spirit. I appreciate their desire to expand in Somerset and the help of the Cabinet for Economic Development for their guidance and help as they’ve moved through this process.”
Play Mart’s investment and job creation builds on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.
Last month, Gov. Beshear reported that General Fund receipts for July 2023 totaled $1.1 billion, marking the 11th straight month with revenues over $1 billion. The Governor also recently announced that his administration secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history.
The General Fund budget surplus at the end of fiscal year 2023 was more than $1.55 billion. Nearly all of the $1.55 billion surplus will go into the commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing the fund to a record balance of $3.7 billion – a 2,700% increase since Gov. Beshear took office in 2019.
This year, the Governor announced that Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced nearly 900 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $27.5 billion in announced investments, creating 48,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure for any governor in state history.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 was $26.78 before benefits, the second-highest mark since 2010 and an 11.5% increase over the previous year.
The Governor also secured the best two-year period in state history for economic growth and announced the two largest economic development projects in state history. In September 2021, Gov. Beshear and leaders from Ford Motor Co. and SK On celebrated a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs in Hardin County. In April 2022, the Governor was joined by leadership at AESC to announce a $2 billion investment that will create 2,000 jobs in Warren County. These announcements solidify Kentucky as the EV battery production capital of the United States.
That position was strengthened even further in May 2023, when the Governor and leaders at Toyota announced a $591 million investment across multiple projects as the company’s largest manufacturing operation in Georgetown introduced its first battery electric vehicle. Growth within the EV sector continued into June as Gov. Beshear joined INFAC North America to break ground on the company’s $53 million investment to support EV-related production in Campbellsville.
Over a two-month period this year, Kentucky secured two credit rating increases from major agencies. On May 12, Gov. Beshear announced that his administration obtained the first state-level credit rating upgrade in 13 years and the first-ever upgrade from Fitch Ratings. On June 29, Gov. Beshear announced the commonwealth received its first-ever rating increase from S&P Global Ratings. Yesterday, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kentucky’s credit outlook from stable to positive.
Site Selection magazine recently placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top-5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects. The publication also placed Kentucky second nationwide and first in the South Central region for its annual Governor’s Cup ranking for 2022, which recognizes state-level economic success based on capital investments.
Gov. Beshear announced a new “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $200,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $1.7 million and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 10 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
- Paying an average hourly wage of $22.61 including benefits across those jobs.
Additionally, KEDFA approved Play Mart for up to $75,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Play Mart Inc. can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
For more information on Play Mart Inc., visit playmart.com.
A detailed community profile for Pulaski County can be viewed here.
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