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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

James Composites Plans Marshall County. Kentucky, Manufacturing Operations

02/13/2026
James Composites LLC, a producer of fiberglass barge covers, plans to establish operations in Marshall County, Kentucky. The $5.8 million project is expected to create 25 jobs.

The investment will include the construction of a new manufacturing facility located at 390 Riverside Lane. Production is scheduled to begin in early 2027.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to start our fiberglass barge cover manufacturing operations in Calvert City, Kentucky,” said Jeff James, managing member of James Composites and president/CEO of James Marine. “This new business will allow us to create high-quality jobs here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provide an additional supply option for a vital product to the inland waterways barge market that we serve. We are appreciative of all the state and local government officials and Kentucky Lake Economic Development for their assistance and support for this project, and we are looking forward to the future and getting our operations underway.”

To support the project the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $675,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $5.8 million and annual targets of: creation and maintenance of 25 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and paying an average hourly wage of $32.49, including benefits, across those jobs.

“Kentucky’s manufacturing industry continues to fuel our historic economic momentum, providing quality job opportunities and investment in communities across the entire state,” noted Governor Andy Beshear. “James Composites is creating dozens of great jobs for Kentuckians while further strengthening our commonwealth’s industrial base. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their trust and welcome them to their New Kentucky Home.”

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, the company 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.

“We are thrilled to welcome James Composites to Calvert City and Marshall County,” added Elizabeth Griffith Mudd, president of the Kentucky Lake Economic Development. “This project’s investment reflects the strength of our industrial base, our access to inland waterways and the skilled workforce that continues to make this region attractive to manufacturing companies. Projects like this not only strengthen our local economy but also reinforce Kentucky Lake’s role as a strategic location for marine and river-related industries.”

James Composites LLC manufactures fiberglass barge covers for barges serving the inland waterways. The company is part of the James Marine Inc. family of companies which provides services to the inland river industry, including towboat and barge repairs; new construction and painting of towboats, barges, and dry docks; groceries, supplies and fueling; and towing, chartering, harbor and fleet services.

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