HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville City Council passed a revised grant agreement with Kitchen Food Co. during their Dec. 17 meeting. This nearly $70 million development is the largest the state has seen in over a decade, with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear celebrating the deal.
“Today’s announcement is a great reminder that Kentucky’s economic momentum is not only here to stay, but that the commonwealth is open and ready for companies from all over the world to establish their New Kentucky Home,” said Gov. Beshear. “This project represents the single largest job-creation announcement in Christian County in over two decades, which means countless new opportunities for Kentuckians in Hopkinsville and the surrounding region to provide for themselves and their families.”
In a news release from the governor’s office, it was detailed that Kitchen Food Co. will bring 925 ongoing jobs to the area. This represents the single largest job-creation announcement in Christian County in over 20 years. The company will be investing $69 million into this 100,000 square foot manufacturing plant on Frank Yost Lane, near Siemer Milling and Krusteaz.
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Words from Kitchen Food Co.
The 20-year-old business is based in Australia and has the mission of offering nutritious, accessible ready meals. According to the Kitchen Food Co. website, they embrace the latest and most relevant technology to ensure they are able to continuously improve processes.
They describe the plant as an “ultra modern” facility. The 925 jobs created will include operations and production managers, HR managers, accountants, technical managers, engineers, supervisors, machine operators, forklift drivers and process and warehouse operatives.
“What began as a passion for sharing healthy fresh meals with our local community in Sydney, Australia, has now brought us to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, our new home base in the U.S.,” said Kitchen Food Co. co-founder and CEO Christian Avramides in a news release. “We have chosen Hopkinsville due to the proactive support and dedication of the local community leadership, coupled with the quality produce, excellent workforce and central location. We are honored to join forces with the wonderful people of Kentucky as we start this new chapter, bringing flavorful, nutritious and affordable meal options to American families, made fresh daily in Kentucky.”
Going through city council
The ordinance was first presented by the Hopkinsville City Council during a special called meeting on Nov. 26. It authorized the mayor to sign the agreement in the amount of $4.5 million for the purpose of paying permissible expenditures of the project.
The agreement states that the city has determined that the benefits to be achieved by the grant will result in economic development, increased employment, growth of industry and commerce, and increased occupational license fees and tax revenues.
The original agreement was rescinded on Dec. 17, with a revised municipal order presented to the council for the same amount of money. City attorney Doug Willen noted that there were several changes made including installment payment date changes, and additional security measures to ensure the company reaches 350 jobs in occupational tax revenue. Matthew Handy, Chuck Crabtree, and Jamie Lienberger were the only councilmembers to vote against the grant agreement during both meetings.