Kentucky 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 build a new facility in Hopkinsville, where it would create over 200 new Kentucky jobs once operational.
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.
“Today’s announcement is a great reminder that the commonwealth is open and ready for companies from all over to further establish their New Kentucky Home,” said 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. This investment further strengthens the importance of the existing Hopkinsville operation, which currently employs 165 individuals. I want to thank the leaders of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. for their ongoing commitment to our great state and look forward to even more success for this company here in the commonwealth.”
The project would involve the development of a modern, flexible and cost-effective manufacturing facility. This project would include a new facility to expand USSTC’s current presence on Weyman’s Way, as well as new manufacturing machinery and equipment.
“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. We’re grateful to the commonwealth of Kentucky and local leaders for their partnership, and we look forward to building on our deep roots in this community for years to come.”
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. 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.
USSTC is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Altria. Altria is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MO). Altria’s subsidiaries include Philip Morris USA Inc., John Middleton Co., UST LLC, Helix Innovations LLC and its foreign affiliates and NJOY LLC. Other wholly owned subsidiaries include Altria Group Distribution Co., which provides domestic sales and distribution services to its operating companies, and Altria Client Services LLC, which provides various support services to companies in areas such as legal, regulatory, research and product development, consumer engagement, finance, human resources and external affairs. Altria acquired USSTC in January 2009.
Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam thanked the company for the potential investment and job creation: “On behalf of the residents of Christian County, I want to thank U.S. Smokeless Tobacco’s leadership for their continued investment in Christian County and Southwestern 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.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight showed the city’s support for the project: “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. We pledge the city of Hopkinsville’s full support as the company moves forward.”
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, thanked the parties that are working toward making the project possible: “U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.’s continued growth is a testimony to an awesome company with strong leadership continuing to be supported by its local, regional and state partners. We thank Gov. Andy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, TVA, city and county government and our utility, workforce and education partners for their continued commitment to U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and manufacturers in our region. We look forward to supporting the company’s planned expansion and their ongoing operational needs.”