FRANKFORT, Ky. — Crown Verity, a Canadian-based grill and cookware company, is expanding its operation in Bowling Green.

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced Crown Verity USA is investing $9.7 million and creating 73 jobs. The company built its first U.S. facility in Warren County in 2018.

According to the governor, Crown Verity will increase its manufacturing capabilities and consolidate its fabrication operation to the Bowling Green location on Commonwealth Boulevard. The facility will grow by 5,000 square feet and bring the total operational space of the building to 65,000 square feet. This will allow for more employees and equipment.

“Crown Verity started as a small distribution company, and now, over 32 years later, it’s grown to become one of the best outdoor grill manufacturers in the world, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition in Bowling Green,” said Andy Incitti, Crown Verity president.

Gov. Beshear added, “The decision by Crown Verity’s leadership to not only expand here but also consolidate the company’s fabrication operation in Kentucky is a testament to their trust and belief in what this great state has to offer. I want to thank the company’s leaders and wish Crown Verity continued success in Bowling Green.”

Crown Verity USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Crown Verity Inc., which makes cooking equipment for companies and homeowners alike. It has been serving both American and Canadian markets since 1990.

The Crown Verity announcement is the latest economic development project to come to Kentucky. Beshear has previously announced some of the largest projects in state history. The economic development projects include Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s $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 $591 million investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.

To encourage investment and job growth in Warren County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in Oct. 2023 preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with Crown Verity under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1.5 million in tax incentives based on Crown Verity’s investment of $9.7 million and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 73 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $44, including benefits across those jobs.

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

In addition, Crown Verity 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.