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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Lexmark International Upgrades Lexington, Kentucky, Campus

04/21/2022
Lexmark International Inc., the imaging and Internet of Things (IoT) technology company, plans to invest $4 million to establish a solar panel array and educational greenspace area at its corporate headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

The company will construct a 10-acre solar panel array at its Fayette County location. The 2-megawatt direct-current array will generate over 225,000 kilowatt hours per month, more than 3.3 million kilowatt hours in its first year, and will offset approximately 10% of the site’s energy usage. Company leaders anticipate work on the project to begin immediately and be completed by the end of 2022.

“The solar array demonstrates Lexmark’s long-term focus on sustainability and is a significant step toward our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035,” said Allen Waugerman, Lexmark president and CEO. “We appreciate the tremendous support we received from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work together toward a common goal.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved Lexmark for up to $200,000 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.

In addition, Lexmark 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.

“I want to congratulate Lexmark on its latest investment in Kentucky and thank its leaders for their commitment to a sustainable future in the commonwealth,” Governor Andy Beshear said. “Lexmark has been a major employer in Fayette County for more than three decades, and this investment shows a commitment to the next generation of Kentuckians. Thank you to Lexmark’s leadership for their continued faith in our state and our talented workforce.”

Lexmark has worked with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves to remove non-native, invasive species and incorporate native species within the area of the project.

“Lexmark has been a longtime community partner and economic driver in Central Kentucky,” noted Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. ”Its team has not only developed innovative solutions for business but has also demonstrated that a business model focused on environmental sustainability can succeed, resulting in a positive impact on our people, our community and the planet. We are proud to recognize Lexmark’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and providing our local school system and others throughout the region with additional STEM learning opportunities by implementing this solar array project.”

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