Budge Industries will expand its operations in Henderson County, Kentucky. The firm, which produces protective covers for vehicles, expects to create up to 37 new jobs and invest $650,000 into the project.

The expansion of the 75,000-square-foot facilities will allow Budge Industries to handle increased volume of its new Corrode Blok and Thermal Blok protective covers. In addition to the new jobs, the company will add automated pattern and cutting operations, ultrasonic welding equipment and other technology to support the new lines. The company also will expand into a new distribution facility.

“We are very excited to announce our plans for expansion at our current facility in Henderson,” said Jim Thompson, Budge Industries’ COO and CFO. “Our need to expand operations was immediate as a result of our Made in USA initiative and our new Corrode Blok and Thermal Blok line of protective covers. We are delighted to remain a part of the Henderson community and look forward to supplying an additional estimated 37 new jobs and having a positive impact to the region for years to come.”

Budge Industries is one of the most recognizable names in vehicle protection. The company manufactures and distributes protective coverings for cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats and patio furniture. Budge Industries’ products can be found in more than 25,000 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

“I’m pleased to celebrate Budge Industries’ expansion and the creation of these new jobs,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “Through our top-notch workforce and centralized location, Budge Industries has found great success in Kentucky. I want to thank the company for its investment, and I look forward to the positive impact on our local families.” Next year, Budge Industries will celebrate its 75th year in business and its 20th in Henderson.

To encourage the investment and job growth in Henderson, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $200,000 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.