Tractor Supply Co., a major rural lifestyle retailer, will invest $8.5 million to expand its distribution facility in Franklin, Kentucky. The company expects to create approximately 156 full-time jobs.

As part of the investment, Tractor Supply will install new equipment to enhance the facility’s distribution capabilities to support sales growth.

According to Governor Matt Bevin’s office, company executives elected to add jobs and reinvest in the Franklin operation to accommodate rising demand at stores throughout the country. The company opened a distribution facility in Franklin in 2011, where it currently employs more than 300 people.

“For the past seven years, Tractor Supply Co. has had a wonderful working relationship with the Franklin, Ky. community,” said Ronda Ruane, General Manager of the company’s Franklin distribution center. “Through these equipment and team member additions, we are excited to be able to better serve our customers across the country and continue the standard of excellence set by our current team members.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in August preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1.8 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. Additionally, Tractor Supply can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network.

“Tractor Supply is a major employer in the Franklin area, and we are thrilled they have decided to expand operations and create even more job opportunities within the region,” Governor Matt Bevin said. “This popular company has cultivated a strong reputation nationwide, and their growing presence here in Kentucky affirms the commonwealth’s ideal climate for economic success. Congratulations to both Tractor Supply and the Simpson County community on this great news.”

Franklin Mayor Ronnie Clark noted, “Tractor Supply Co. is becoming one of our largest employers and continues to grow. I am personally very pleased that they are expanding their operations in our community.”

Gary Broady, Chairman of the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority recalled, “seven years ago, our industrial board had the pleasure of working with Tractor Supply Co. in locating a major distribution center in our Sanders Interstate Industrial Park. Their huge facility has brought hundreds of jobs to Franklin, and I am very excited that they will be adding more jobs to their great facility.”