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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

DDS Glass Doors Relocates to Larger Facility in Elkton, Kentucky

12/30/2020
Freezer and cooler door manufacturer DDS Glass Doors is relocating to a larger facility in Elkton, Kentucky. The $1.6 million project is expected to create 50 full-time jobs in the coming years.

In October, the company purchased an existing 96,000-square-foot building on Industrial Drive in Elkton to house the expanded operations, which includes additional equipment, workstations and conveyor lines. The facility is expected to become fully operational in January.

"DDS Glass Doors continues to grow rapidly and is exceeding our growth expectations," said Dr. Steve Williams, DDS Glass Doors owner and CEO. "2021 is already setting up to continue this rapid growth and be another record year for our company. This increased demand brings with it an increased need for production workers. We are excited to be able to offer good-paying jobs and benefits to this area."

Like hundreds of other distributors across the commonwealth, state officials said DDS benefits from Kentucky's ideal central location, which allows the company to ship its products to any part of the country in a quick, cost-effective manner. Kentucky sits at the center of a 34-state distribution area in the Eastern U.S., and its borders lie within a day's drive of more than two-thirds of the country's population.

"This coming year is going to be all about building a better, economically stronger Kentucky, and DDS Glass Doors' growth serves as an encouraging example of what's possible across our commonwealth," Governor Andy Beshear said. "The commitment DDS has shown to growing its operations in Kentucky and providing our families with quality opportunities is something I deeply appreciate. I congratulate the company and look forward to its continued development in Todd County in the years to come."

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in December 2019 preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1 million in tax incentives based on the company's investment of $1.6 million and annual targets of creation and maintenance of 50 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years and paying an average hourly wage of $23 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. In addition, DDS can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network.

"DDS Glass Doors is a great example of an outstanding corporate partner continuing to expand its business by always looking for new opportunity," said Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council. "This is a testament to their outstanding leadership throughout the business. We are thrilled that DDS Glass Doors continues to grow and look forward to supporting the company in the years ahead as they enjoy the less taxing and more relaxing quality of life in our community and region."

Founded in 2018 in Elkton, DDS Glass Doors produces and distributes medium- and low-temperature glass doors for coolers and freezers commonly used at convenience and grocery stores to display food and beverages. Demand soon outpaced the company's production capacity, spurring the current expansion.

In addition to the reach-in display doors, DDS makes beer cave doors, surface-mount doors and viewing windows. The company also sells retrofit LED lights for glass display doors, shelving and other door accessories.

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