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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Graham Packaging Plans $22 Million Manufacturing Plant In Bowling Green, Kentucky

08/21/2015
Graham Packaging, a manufacturer and designer of blow-molded plastic containers used to package a variety of consumer products, began construction on a $22 million manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The company plans to create up to 68 jobs.

The company plans to work with a developer to construct a 216,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park, as well as purchase new molding equipment. This facility will primarily support Sun Products, a North American provider of laundry detergent, fabric softeners and other household products. The company plans to be operational by early next year.

Graham Packaging has a strong Kentucky presence with three current facilities – one in Lexington and two in Florence. The company employs 230 people in the Commonwealth.

“The Graham Packaging team is very excited about joining the Bowling Green community,” said Malcolm Bundey, CEO of Graham Packaging Co. “We are very impressed with the quality of the workforce and sincerely appreciate the support from the citizens of Kentucky and especially Warren County to make it possible for us to locate and grow here. We look forward to supporting Sun Products, and the Bowling Green community for many years to come.”

“Today’s announcement is a demonstration that Graham Packaging continues to build on its growth as a leading global manufacturer in its field,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “We’ve worked hard with our community partners to make Kentucky attractive to businesses, and that work is paying off. I’m proud of the new jobs and the $22 million being invested here. This is a tremendous day for the Commonwealth, for Bowling Green, for Sun Products and for Graham.”

“Graham Packaging’s decision to grow its Kentucky footprint is exciting news for the Commonwealth and for Bowling Green,” said Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen. “This is especially true when you consider the impact the 68 full-time jobs will have on the region. We wish the company continued success and prosperity.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in Bowling Green, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1.2 million 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.

KEDFA also approved Graham Packaging for tax benefits up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing equipment. In addition, Graham Packaging is eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.

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