FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 24, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced an exciting project within the state’s manufacturing industry as E & E Hardwoods Inc., a full-grade sawmill operation supporting the local logging industry and lumber production industry, plans to add 37 new jobs and invest $2.1 million to expand its Bell County operation following a December 2024 fire that destroyed the company’s previous location.
“Kentucky has always been home to some of the hardest-working and most resilient people I have ever met. When tragedy strikes or obstacles come our way, Kentuckians don’t blink,” said Gov. Beshear. “E & E Hardwoods’ leadership wasted no time getting back on their feet, rebuilding less than six months after losing the business in a fire. The company has been a staple in Bell County for over six decades, and this announcement is an incredible testament to their commitment to Kentucky.”
E & E Hardwoods is rebuilding and expanding its Bell County operation by relocating to a larger, more advanced building. The 30,000-square-foot facility will help accommodate the company’s growth, increase capabilities and improve operations. The $2.1 million investment is expected to create 37 jobs for the Bell County community and surrounding areas.
“E & E Hardwoods Inc. is excited about the opportunities ahead and seeks your continued support to strengthen our local economy,” said E & E Hardwoods President Paul C. Elliott. “Together, we can create a brighter future for our community!”
Founded in the early 1960s in the heart of Bell County, E & E Hardwoods Inc. began with a mission to support the local mining sector. The company began as a modest sawmill focused on local mining operations. E & E Hardwoods has expanded to become a full-grade sawmill producing high-quality lumber, cants and crossties and is among few remaining grade mills in southeastern Kentucky. Today, it is the only grade mill in Bell County, playing a vital role in bolstering the local economy.
Bell County Judge/Executive Albey Brock is excited to see the company continue to grow in the community: “We are proud and honored to assist E & E Hardwoods with their expansion and relocation efforts! E & E has deep roots and a long history here in Bell County, and we are so grateful they have chosen to continue expanding and operating here, providing employment opportunities and supporting our vital timber industry!”
E & E Hardwoods’ investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,100 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $35 billion in announced investments, creating more than 60,500 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $14 billion more than the next highest total.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Site Selection magazine recently ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Last April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
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 $625,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $2.1 million and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 37 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
- Paying an average hourly wage of $22.97, including benefits, across those jobs.
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, E & E Hardwoods 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.
A detailed community profile for Bell County can be viewed here.
###