ProCom Heating Inc, the world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of vent-free gas heating appliances, is relocating its China-based manufacturing facility to Bowling Green, Kentucky.

ProCom Heating moved to Bowling Green in 2011 with the purchase of property at 2800 Griffin Drive. Now, the company has announced plans to build on to the original facility in a move that will provide more than three dozen jobs for Kentuckians. The company proposed a $19 million expansion that will create 37 full-time jobs for the Commonwealth. The expansion will add approximately 310,000 square feet to ProCom’s existing facilities. The expansion will take place in three stages, starting with the addition of a 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in 2016. ProCom will then add office space estimated at 30,000 square feet in 2017, before completing the project with another addition to be used for warehouse space. The expansion as a whole will take the facility at Griffin Drive to more than 440,000 square feet.

“Bowling Green was at the center of our industry for many years and provided us a great opportunity to tap into an experienced and talented workforce,” said Kirk Kirchner, ProCom Heating president. “We look forward to once again reasserting South Central Kentucky as the leader in the gas appliance industry.”

To encourage the investment and job creation in Warren County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved ProCom for tax incentives up to $750,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) program. The performance-based incentive allows companies to keep a portion of their investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

Additionally, ProCom was preliminarily approved by KEDFA for $100,000 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 equipment. ProCom is also eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 4,100 Kentucky companies.

“I am incredibly pleased that ProCom Heating has decided to build on its strong foundation in Bowling Green and further its relationship with the Commonwealth,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “The additional jobs that will be created upon completion of this project are the latest in a long line of opportunities for a skilled workforce.”

“Bowling Green is proud to have a company like ProCom Heating show a vested interest in our community by choosing to expand its operations here,” said Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. “It brings me great pleasure to congratulate ProCom on their forthcoming expansion, bringing more jobs to our region.”