HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Toyota Boshoku, one of the world’s premium interior systems suppliers and filter manufacturers, broke ground Wednesday for a new $225 million project in Christian County.

More than 100 Hopkinsville-Christian County officials along with members of the community attended the ceremonial groundbreaking that took place inside the James E. Bruce Convention Center. The over 365,000-square-foot facility will bring 157 full-time jobs to the area.

The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam and Mayor James Knight at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Masayoshi Shirayanagi at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor James Knight at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor James Knight, Masayoshi Shirayanagi & Governor Andy Beshear at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor James Knight, Masayoshi Shirayanagi & Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam at the groundbreaking for the new Toyota Boshoku plant in Christian County on Oct. 4, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was on hand for the announcement of what is being called a smart plant. “This facility will be employing innovation, cutting edge technology such as advanced robotics, planning and automation to streamline work and reduce waste to maximize efficiency and operation,” Beshear said.

Beshear added that he was grateful to the company for expanding in Kentucky and said the Hopkinsville-Christian County community has opened its arms to welcome Toyota Boshoku and are ready to fill the jobs, and ready to partner with them in every single way.

Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam said it was a great opportunity for Hopkinsville and Christian County. “It’s supposed to be a very high-tech smart facility, one of a kind, and we’re really excited about it being here,” Gilliam said.

Hopkinsville Mayor James Knight was joined by Gilliam in the presentation of a key to the city to Masayoshi Shirayanagi, Toyota Boshoku Corp. president/CEO.

The plant will be located in Christian County’s South Park, which is also the site of the Walmart Distribution Center and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco. Toyota Boshoku develops and produces automobile interior, filtration, and powertrain components and is scheduled to be operational in 2025.