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Gov. Matt Bevin today announced WhiteRock Pigments Inc. will locate a $179 million chemical manufacturing operation in Hancock County, a project expected to create 124 full-time jobs.
“WhiteRock Pigments is breathing new life into the community of Hawesville,” said Gov. Bevin. “Companies like WRP are helping Kentucky’s manufacturing industry diversify and strengthen in communities across the state, and we are excited to welcome them to the Commonwealth. The addition of 124 jobs and new economic activity will be a significant boost for the economy of Hancock County, generating momentum for years to come.”
WRP will locate in the former Alcoa building on River Road in Hancock County, just northwest of Hawsville. The 305,000-square-foot facility on 65 acres has remained vacant the past nine years. Work to rehab and up fit the building and property could begin in January with the plant’s opening planned for April 2020.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the Kentucky economic development folks and the administration in Hancock County,” said Robert Meyer, CEO of WhiteRock. “Their responsiveness, hospitality and can do business attitude is a major contributor to our interest in the Hawesville site. WhiteRock will build a vibrant new enterprise and looks to be a significant contributor to the community”.
Founded in 2007, WRP will be using a propriety eco-friendly process to manufacture chemicals from a variety of feedstocks.
Sen. Joe Bowen, of Owensboro, said WRP will be a good fit for the community.
“I am pleased to welcome WhiteRock Pigments to Hancock County as the company invests nearly $180 million and revamps a local building that has been vacant for almost a decade,” Sen. Bowen said. “With the creation of over 100 new jobs, I know this company will be a great economic partner for our region and I wish it success in all future endeavors.”
Rep. Dean Schamore, of Hardinsburg, noted the significance of WRP locating in an existing facility that has been unoccupied for a number of years.
“I’m proud to welcome WhiteRock Pigments to Hancock County and am certainly grateful that the company is bringing the old Alcoa building back into circulation,” Rep. Schamore said. “I want to thank its leaders for recognizing our outstanding workforce and quality of life, and I appreciate the cooperative effort of our state and local officials.”
Hancock County Judge-Executive Jack McCaslin commended the Hancock County Industrial Foundation and its director, Mike Baker, for diligent work.
“The addition of White Rock Pigments is a tremendous asset to Hancock County by providing 124 new great paying jobs, along with the diversification of our manufacturing industry,” Judge-Executive McCaslin said. “Their revitalization of the old vacant Alcoa building to house the company is just another benefit they bring to our community.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in October preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $3 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
Additionally, KEDFA approved WRP for up to $300,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
WRP also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
Highland Middle School, 1700 Norris Place, will hold its Community Fall Festival event with a Haunted Fourth Floor on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The event, hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), will feature games, a book fair, and a showcase of student work as well as performances by the student jazz band and string ensemble. There will also be a Valu Market Food Tent. Game tickets will be available for purchase.
The school’s fourth floor has also been transformed into a haunted house. Admission for the Haunted Fourth Floor is $7.
You can view a short promotional video about the Haunted Fourth Floor here.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will hold its annual Showcase of Schools this weekend, offering parents and students a convenient opportunity to visit with JCPS staff and representatives of each school and get information about optional, magnet and career programs before deciding which school the student will apply to next year. The first 500 people to attend will receive a backpack filled with school supplies sponsored by Metro United Way.
The Showcase will feature all grades—elementary, middle and high—during the event. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Showcase will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C, 937 Phillips Lane. The event is relocating temporarily while the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville is under renovation.
Representatives from the Optional, Magnet and Advance Programs Office; Student Assignment; Transportation; Parent Teacher Association (PTA); Academies of Louisville and Demographics will also be available to answer questions and explain application procedures to parents.
“JCPS is a district full of outstanding choices for students and families, and we appreciate the opportunity to show our community all of the great options that are available here,” said JCPS Acting Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “In addition to the Showcase, JCPS has also produced video tours of every school, which are available on the district’s website and school profile pages. Our goal is to make information about our schools easily accessible to all families and students, so they can make an informed choice about their educational experiences.”
The online registration/application period for the 2018-19 school year opens Monday, Oct. 30.
The regular day-of-event parking rate of $8 per vehicle will apply. For more information on the Showcase, families may call 485-3323. For more information on the online application process, families may call 485-6250.
Gov. Matt Bevin today local and state leaders and executives and employees from CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services to open the company’s headquarters in Covington, a $36.4 million project creating up to 500 Kentucky-resident jobs.
“CTI’s leaders recognize the numerous benefits of growing their company in Kentucky, and we welcome them as partners in our state’s dynamic business community,” said Gov. Bevin. “The company’s presence is creating hundreds of well-paying jobs for Kentuckians and strengthening the commonwealth’s healthcare industry. I believe today’s event is only the beginning of good things to come. CTI will thrive in Covington, and the people of Northern Kentucky are grateful for the opportunities that this will create.”
CTI, a global, privately held company providing therapeutic expertise to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, relocated its headquarters from the Cincinnati suburb of Blue Ash, Ohio to be closer to the region’s urban center. The company is leasing approximately 125,000 square feet in the RiverCenter building. The relocation will help the company consolidate its locations and facilitate future growth.
“We felt strongly that we needed to move to a more urban setting in order to continue to recruit and retain the best people for our team that works tirelessly to bring life-changing therapies to critically ill patients around the world,” said Timothy Schroeder, founder and CEO of CTI. “Covington offered us the best of both worlds, a great community with an urban, walkable environment.”
Founded in 1999, CTI is a global leader in clinical research, working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to plan, manage and analyze clinical trials, a critical step in bringing new drugs, therapies and medical devices to market. The company is therapeutically focused on critically ill patient populations, chronic diseases and unmet medical needs including the areas of regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, rare disease, immunology, transplantation and oncology.
CTI has associates in more than 25 countries and has worked on over 3,500 projects across six continents. CTI has contributed to more than 100 new drug and device approvals by regulatory agencies around the world.
Sen. Christian McDaniel, of Taylor Mill, welcomed the company to Kentucky.
“I am pleased to welcome CTI to Covington as the company celebrates its grand opening here in the Bluegrass State,” Sen. McDaniel said. “Our commonwealth offers so many amenities to growing businesses, and I am proud that CTI chose our community in which to grow its operations with a multimillion dollar investment and the creation of new Kentucky jobs.”
Sen. Wil Schroder, of Wilder, said the investment is a positive sign for the region.
“As the chairman of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus, I am pleased to see our region attracting new businesses from out of state with multimillion dollar investments,” Sen. Schroder said. “The Kentucky General Assembly has worked hard to ensure Kentucky attracts great employers, and I know the Northern Kentucky region will serve CTI well in its endeavors. I look forward to the company’s continual success in our commonwealth.”
Rep. Arnold Simpson, of Covington, thanked everyone involved with making the project a reality.
“I’m proud to formally welcome CTI’s headquarters to its new home here in Covington, and want to thank its leaders and the state and local officials who helped to make today’s event possible,” Rep. Simpson said. “This relocation, just a short drive from its former home across the Ohio River, is deeply symbolic and just adds to Covington’s reputation as one of the best places in the country to work and do business. I’m confident we’ll see many more days like this in the near future.”
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said he looks forward to the company and community working together.
“Covington has worked hard to make our city a place where dynamic companies like CTI can thrive,” Mayor Meyer said. “We look forward to the opportunities that this move brings for CTI and for Covington as well, as our life sciences industry continues to expand and bring more talent and innovation to our region.”
Kenton County Judge-Executive Kris Knochelmann, current Northern Kentucky Tri-ED board chair, said he anticipates CTI will be a great corporate partner.
“CTI is a welcome addition to the burgeoning life sciences industry in Northern Kentucky and Kenton County, and has already demonstrated a willingness to collaborate and engage with the community,” Judge-Executive Knochelmann said. “We congratulate CTI’s investment in RiverCenter and look forward to their continued growth and partnership in our region.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in August 2016 preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $14 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
Additionally, CTI can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
Gov. Matt Bevin and Gov. Hideaki Ohmura, of the Aichi Prefecture Government in Japan, together signed a memorandum of understanding Monday evening emphasizing each region’s commitment to continue their partnership.
Aichi Prefecture is home to numerous manufacturing corporations, including 59 companies that operate a total of 94 facilities in Kentucky. About 40 executives from those companies, as well as representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville, the Japan External Trade Organization and the Japan/America Society of Kentucky attended the signing ceremony and a reception at the Governor’s Mansion.
“The base of our economy is very similar to the base of Aichi’s, predominantly engineering and manufacturing,” Gov. Bevin said, having welcomed the Gov. Ohmura and the numerous business, government and cultural leaders. “We are already partners in many ways and, as we sign this memorandum of understanding, we formalize this partnership. Already today, we’ve begun discussions about ways to broaden our relationship.”
The agreement establishes intentions to increase prosperity in both regions and to further develop the relationship between the United States and Japan with three basic principles:
(I) The parties shall strive to establish a close friendship based on respect and trust for each other.
(II) The parties shall cooperate in all fields as are recognized by both parties to be mutually beneficial, such as economy, culture and human resource development.
(III) In the interest of development of both regions, the parties shall work to promote private-sector exchange in a wide range of areas, including economic exchange.
“I am honored to be here today and I am sure that everyone will agree the relationship between Aichi and Kentucky is an extremely important one,” Gov. Ohmura. “I think it is fair to say – with nearly 100 companies doing business here from Aichi – that Kentucky is the most popular destination for Aichi companies. I look forward to growing the relationship with Gov. Bevin and Kentucky through education, economic development and cultural exchange.”
Aichi, located in the Chubu region of Japan, is the fourth most populated prefecture in Japan with more than 7.5 million people. Companies headquartered in the region include Toyota Motor Corp., Sumitomo Riko, Denso Corp. and Aisin Seiki, among others. The Aichi Prefecture region has led Japan in exports every year since 1977.
The commonwealth’s first Japanese-owned facility, machine tool, engineering and industrial tech provider Mazak Corp., was established in Florence in 1974. Through more than a dozen expansions, it has grown to employ about 600 people full-time. Its corporate parent, Yamazaki Mazak Corp, is based in Aichi.
Toyota Motor Corp., also based in Aichi, announced its Georgetown plant in 1986 and opened it two years later. Across numerous expansions Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc. has grown into Toyota’s largest plant globally, employing about 8,000 people. The plant has helped attract scores of automotive parts manufacturers and related tech and factory-systems suppliers to the Bluegrass State.
In total, Kentucky is home to 182 Japanese-owned facilities, which employ more than 40,000 people. Since the beginning of 2016, those companies have announced 43 new location or expansion projects throughout the state resulting in more than $2.1 billion and more than 3,300 new full-time jobs.
Westport Middle School, 8100 Westport Road, will host a “Dare to Scare” trick-or-treating event and Glow Concert, featuring the school’s orchestra, on Thursday, October 26, at 6 p.m. The event will benefit a local food bank.
Families with students (fifth grade and younger) are invited to trick-or-treat, make crafts, and participate in other activities at the school. Admission is $1 or a canned good item, which will be donated to Dare to Care.
At 7:30 p.m., the orchestra will perform its Glow Concert, which will feature special guest Ben Sollee. Sollee is a world-renowned cellist, songwriter, and composer. He will perform with Westport’s orchestra and the Rock N’ Warhawks, the school’s electric orchestra.
Last year, Westport students did a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
For more information about the Westport Middle School orchestra, visit www.westportorchestra.com.
Walking around Downtown Louisville the last weekend in October will be particularly intriguing thanks to “The Crane on Main” and the Louisville Downtown Partnership’s (LDP) Alley Gallery Walking Tour. Main Street will be completely closed to automobile traffic from First to Second Street due to the “Crane on Main,” but Main Street sidewalks will be open for pedestrian foot traffic and all Whiskey Row bars and restaurants will be open for business. Beginning on Friday at 6:00 p.m., lane closures will start at South Preston Street, with cars being detoured at Brook Street. Main Street is expected to reopen by 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 30th.
A tower crane – which requires an assist crane — was installed in the Old Forester Distillery project on Main Street in 2016 and required the same closure. “We are happy to report that great progress continues to be made on this project, and it is time for the tower crane to be dismantled and removed from the site,” said Rebecca Matheny, LDP’s Executive Director. The Old Forester Distillery project is slated to open in spring of 2018.
Old Forester is working with Whiskey Row bars and restaurants to design Old Forester cocktail creations with fun construction-themed names, like the “Road Block,” “The Hard Hat” or “Detour Ahead” for adults who venture Downtown to check out the assist crane on Main Street. “It truly is a surreal visual experience to see such a massive piece of equipment in the middle of Main Street,” Matheny added.
In addition to the “Crane on Main,” Duluth Trading Company will be holding their “soft grand opening” that weekend in advance of their official Grand Opening on Thursday, Nov. 2nd.
Alley Gallery Walking Tour
The work of local artists will also be featured in a 90-minute walking tour with Mayor Fischer and Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith from 2 – 3:30 pm. The pedestrian tour of Alley Gallery doors will begin at Fourth Street Live! and end in the lobby of the Aloft Hotel at the corner of First and Main Streets across from Whiskey Row. “Participants can appreciate great local art in hidden places on the Alley Gallery Walking Tour, and then stop by one of Whiskey Row’s fine restaurants and bars to enjoy “Louisville’s hometown bourbon,” check out the giant assist crane in the middle of Main Street, and stop in Duluth Trading Company to experience their soft grand opening,” Matheny added.
Launched in mid-May of this year, Alley Gallery – a public art program organized by LDP – turns back-of-the-building and alley service doors into an outdoor art gallery featuring the work of artists from Metro Louisville. The images are applied to the doors in vinyl and are marked by yellow location signs and black title cards listing the artists, titles of their works, and sponsors.
A total of 70 doors have been installed thus far, 35 of which will be featured on the tour. To date, 73 artists have submitted almost 500 images for consideration. For more information regarding the Alley Gallery program, please visit: www.louisvilledowntown.org and click on the “Living” tab on the home page.