Governor Steve Beshear announced Birtley, a subsidiary of Shandong Borun Industrial Processing Equipment in China, will build a new 67,500-square-foot manufacturing facility at Blue Grass Business Park in Lexington. The company plans to create 30 to 50 new, full-time jobs and invest approximately $10 million in the project.
“This is a historic time in Kentucky with the first manufacturing firm from China locating in the Commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “We welcome Birtley to the dynamic Blue Grass Business Park in Lexington and we’re thrilled to see a company from China locate here, invest in the Commonwealth and provide jobs to Kentuckians.”
Birtley is a producer of coal equipment processing machinery. Birtley worked with the World Trade Center Kentucky and Commerce Lexington in making the decision to locate in Lexington. Kentucky’s foreign direct investment continues to grow, as the Commonwealth is now home to more than 420 foreign-owned companies from 30 nations, employing nearly 76,000 people.
“Lexington is a very diversified community, and we appreciate all the support we are receiving from the city and the community,” said Birtley President Bing Chen. “We hope the Birtley facility will be as successful as our other facilities in China.”
Shandong Borun has three manufacturing facilities in China. The company’s products include machines used in coal preparation, mineral processing, and devices used in the power, steel, cement and port industries.
“Our community needs jobs, and attracting good jobs to Lexington is a top priority for our city,” said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. “Lexington is proud to be home to this significant Chinese investment.”
“Birtley liked Lexington for its proximity to the coal industry and customers,” said Bob Quick, CCE, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington. “But they also liked the accessibility of the eastern United States and the low cost of doing business in the Commonwealth.”
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.
A detailed community profile for Lexington (Fayette County) can be viewed at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=053.
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