BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The construction of a new manufacturing facility in Bowling Green is expected to create roughly 200 high-wage jobs.

Gov. Andy Beshear, along with local and corporate leaders, announced Ball Corp.'s plans for the facility to produce recyclable aluminum ends for the company's beverage can customers.

“As we enter the new year, we will continue to focus our economic development efforts on sustained job and wage growth across the commonwealth,” Beshear said. “This announcement of Ball Corp.’s new aluminum can end production facility in Warren County creating nearly 200 high-wage jobs is a major step toward securing a better future for Kentuckians. I want to thank Ball for this commitment to the workforce in and around Warren County, and I look forward to the company becoming part of Team Kentucky.”

Site preparation for the 500,000-square-foot facility will begin immediately at Kentucky Transpark. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2022.

Hiring is planned to begin later this year, with roughly 200 jobs coming over the next five years. The positions will include production technicians, industrial electricians, machinists, material handlers, and leadership and support staff roles.

The operation will be Ball's first in Kentucky.

“Bowling Green will join our industry-leading network of more than 20 North American plants, including two new beverage can manufacturing plants currently under construction in Glendale, Arizona, and Pittston, Pennsylvania, scheduled to start up in early- and mid-2021, respectively,” said Colin Gillis, president, Ball beverage packaging, North & Central America. “These investments will align our end production with our beverage can capacity investments and are supported by numerous long-term customer contracts to serve the unprecedented demand for sustainable aluminum packaging while furthering Ball’s Drive for 10 vision for long-term success.”

Ball, founded in 1880, is headquartered in Westminster, Colo., and includes over 100 locations with over 18,000 employees worldwide.

Warren County Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon said he's excited about Ball's addition to the city.

“Job creation of this magnitude by manufacturers are an investment in the future of the people of Warren County,” Buchanon said. “I am excited to add Ball to our business community and to support their continued success here.”

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott echoed Buchanon's sentiments.

“Ball has a strong reputation all over the world, and we are proud to welcome them to our community,” Alcott said. “I am certain they will find continued success and a strong workforce here in Bowling Green.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) on Thursday preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program.

The agreement can provide up to $6 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 198 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $45 including benefits across those jobs.

If the Ball meets the annual targets over the agreement term, it can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. Ball may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

Additionally, KEDFA approved Ball for up to $1.3 million 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.

Ball can also receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network, where companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training, and job training incentives.

Haeli Spears is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 Kentucky. She is a University of Louisville graduate who started her career with Spectrum News in May, 2020.