HOPKINSVILLE, KY – Gov. Andy Beshear announced that U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC), an Altria Group company and one of the leading producers and marketers of moist smokeless tobacco, plans to expand their current Hopkinsville location and build a new facility to create over 200 new Christian County jobs once operational.
The project would involve the development of a modern, flexible and cost-effective manufacturing facility to expand USSTC’s current presence on Weyman’s Way in South Park in Hopkinsville, as well as new manufacturing machinery and equipment.
Altria said in a news release that the new facility is an attempt to consolidate and modernize certain operations. USSTC will transition all manufacturing operations from its Nashville, Tennessee plant, which will close in 2028. Rather than splitting processes between Nashville and Hopkinsville, this move allows nearly all processing, production and finishing to be completed in Hopkinsville.
Nashville employees will be encouraged to apply for available positions in Hopkinsville and Richmond, Virginia or will be given severance packages.
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Responses from Christian County officials and Gov. Beshear
“This project is bringing great new job opportunities for Kentuckians in Hopkinsville and the surrounding region to provide for themselves and their families,” said Gov. Beshear. “This investment further strengthens the importance of the existing Hopkinsville operation, which currently employs 165 individuals.”
A news release from the governor’s office says USSTC looked at multiple options for this new manufacturing facility, and after meeting with Gov. Beshear, has chosen Kentucky. The project, which is pending approval of proposed state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, would approximately double USSTC’s workforce in Kentucky.
“We appreciate the company’s plan to create 200 jobs. Equally important, we are thankful U.S. Tobacco continues to be an exceptional corporate partner making our region a better place with their investments and charitable contributions and continued leader in agriculture manufacturing and processing,” said Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam.
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, thanked the parties that are working toward making the project possible.
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight showed the city’s support for the project saying, “U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. is one of our strongest manufacturers and a leader in agriculture manufacturing. We are thrilled to support their continued growth at Hopkinsville’s South Park and appreciate the continued confidence of the company’s leadership as they make another significant investment in our community and our people.”
More about USSTC
USSTC is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and has manufacturing facilities in Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee; and Richmond, Virginia. USSTC’s Hopkinsville facility includes a tobacco leaf processing plant and a dry flour plant.
“Our decision to locate this new facility in Kentucky underscores the important role the commonwealth plays in our company’s history, our business today and in our vision for tomorrow,” said Michael Brace, president and CEO of USSTC. “This new facility will enhance our manufacturing capabilities, improve operational efficiency and support the continued production of the iconic brands adult smokeless tobacco consumers know and trust.”
USSTC is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco. The company’s brands, Copenhagen and Skoal, are the company’s leading premium brands. USSTC’s other brands include Red Seal and Husky.
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