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Westport Fuel Systems Invests $4.5 Million In Louisville, Kentucky Manufacturing Center

05/11/2012
Westport Fuel Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Vancover, Canada-based Westport Innovations Inc., which produces alternative fuel and low-emission transportation technologies, will invest $4.5 million on a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky creating 40 jobs.

"The Commonwealth is pleased to welcome Westport's newest operation and the 40 new jobs it will create to Louisville," Gov. Steve Beshear said. "Westport has proven itself as a business leader in the alternative fuel field and has partnerships with some of the world's largest engine and vehicle manufacturers, including Ford and the Super Duty Trucks made in Louisville. Like so many other automotive-related companies, I am confident that Westport will find Kentucky to be the perfect place to succeed and prosper."

The firm iis a leading provider of proprietary technology allowing engines to operate on clean-burning gaseous fuels. Westport is investing in a manufacturing facility where it will install compressed natural gas fuel systems and work in fleet operations on Ford Super Duty trucks, which has a plant on Chamberlain Lane in Louisville.

"The United States is a key market for a wide range of Westport Innovations technologies, and we're very happy to be establishing new operations, products, jobs, and relationships with our automotive partners in the Louisville area," said Ian Scott, president of Westport Light Duty.

To encourage the investment and job growth in Louisville, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Westport Fuel Systems for tax incentives up to $750,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

"Westport Fuel Systems' decision to open a facility illustrates how Kentucky is establishing itself as a center of offering alternative energy sources to power our infrastructure," said Rep. Bob DeWeese, of Louisville. "Their investment and creation of 40 new jobs represent a boost to our economy and is an example of another business drawn to Louisville because of the continued relationship our city and our Commonwealth enjoy with companies like Ford and the automotive industry as a whole."

"Louisville is becoming well known as a center of automotive industry and related businesses, and we welcome global leader Westport here, knowing they will find much success," said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. "It is especially good news that Westport is leading the way in alternative fuel and low-emission technologies that will help reduce our carbon footprint while improving our air quality."

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