Carter Lumber Co., one of the nation’s largest lumberyard businesses, will expand its operations in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The $8.1 million project is expected to create 86 jobs.

The company will build a new facility, located in the Kentucky Transpark, which will allow it to better serve customers who rely on the services provided at the lumberyard in northern Warren County. The investment is part of the Carter Lumber's rebuilding efforts following the devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky in December 2021. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.

“We are proud to be a part of the Bowling Green community and are committed to helping it recover and thrive,” said Jeff Donley, president of Carter Lumber. “This new facility is just one way we can contribute to the rebuilding efforts and ensure the growth of our Carter Lumber operations and the many builders we service in the area to rebuild stronger and better than before.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, 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 performance-based agreement can provide up to $750,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $8.1 million and annual targets of: Creation and maintenance of 86 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years, and paying an average hourly wage of $33 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.

“Kentucky is home to some of the strongest and most resilient people anywhere,” noted Governor Andy Beshear. “While we are still healing from the damage of the 2021 tornadoes, we are building back stronger than ever. This commitment from Carter Lumber to not just rebuild, but to expand their business under these circumstances is a testament to the spirit of the commonwealth and what makes Kentucky so special. I am looking forward to Carter Lumber’s continued success in Bowling Green.”

In addition, Carter Lumber 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.

“You have a company that’s not just building back to where they were, but they’re going beyond it,” added Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ron Bunch. “I think the more important part of all this is, they’re rebuilding, and the new technology that they’ll add will allow more building materials to be distributed across Kentucky and elsewhere, that can help even more construction happen.”

Founded in 1932 in Akron, Ohio, private and family-owned Carter Lumber is the United States’ fourth largest professionally focused lumber and building material supplier. The company primarily services professional builders through its more than 170 locations across 13 states. Carter Lumber operates under four branded divisions: Carter Lumber, Holmes Lumber Co., Kight Home Center and Kempsville Building Materials.