Northeast Kentucky, a region still feeling the effects of job losses in the coal, steel and railroad industries, is receiving a more than one billion dollar manufacturing investment. Governor Matt Bevin made the economic development announcement Wednesday in Wurtland.
Braidy Industries, Inc. is set to build the $1.3 billion aluminum mill and create 550 jobs in Greenup County. Governor Bevin says Braidy’s decision to locate in eastern Kentucky has the potential to be as significant as any economic deal in the state’s history. “You look at the product that is going to be coming out of this mill. There is not enough supply to keep up with the demand that is being asked of this industry in America,” said Bevin.
Bevin said the project will require nimbleness, creativity, work ethic, and job training of those workers in the region. “It will require our institutions of higher learning to start and we are already in discussions to do exactly this to create certification degreed programs that will train the 550 men and women that will be working in Braidy Industries,” noted Bevin.
Braidy CEO Craig Bouchard told reporters Wednesday it was a "come from behind win" for Kentucky, which he said was not in the running until the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law banning mandatory union dues.
Greenup County Judge Executive Bobby Carpenter has held the county government position for almost two dozen years. He says it’s a major economic announcement. “Yes it is. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in 3 or 4 nights,” said Carpenter.
A 2.5 million square foot mill will be built on 300 acres near South Shore. Workers will produce sheet and plate for the automotive and aerospace industries. Carpenter believes other jobs could follow. “This will help the whole eastern area and this will be a stepping stone as you would to others that will follow this business,” said Carpenter.
Braidy will construct a 2.5 million square foot aluminum mill on more than 300 acres near South Shore. Construction is expected to begin in 2018 with completion in 2020. The average wage of workers in the new plant is estimated at $70,000 a year. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the state will provide $10 million in tax incentives to Braidy Industries.
