LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — In 2019, Piston Automotive originally announced a $1.5 million expansion to create 50 full-time jobs at its Jeffersontown plant.
On Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear announced an increase in the scope of this expansion. It will now create 117 full-time jobs after an investment of $26.3 million.
Today, Governor Beshear announced that Piston Automotive LLC will expand the scope of a previously announced Jefferson County expansion, which will now create 117 full-time jobs with an investment of more than $26.3 million. Read more: https://t.co/P3qd0mcgZD pic.twitter.com/9cdpObkQ3X
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 27, 2022
Piston Automotive will install new equipment for another production line after leasing a facility on Technology Drive in Louisville.
Creating and maintaining the 117 full-time jobs in Kentucky will take place over 10 years and pay an average hourly wage of $22.06 including benefits.
“The J-town area is the largest business park in the state and what has happened over the past few years is that everyone is concerned about COIVD, what’s going to happen next, and we’ve had several big businesses here expanding, one being Piston Automobile“said Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf (R).
The company is also one of the largest African-American-owned automotive suppliers in the United States.
In 2011, Jeffersontown and Dieruf welcomed the company. He said the expansion makes the community a stable place.
“It’s phenomenal during the time when everyone says no one is growing, so this company has stepped up and done it right,” noted DierufWho says he adds to the city 1.2% vacancy rate.
“It’s great to see existing businesses expand across the Commonwealth, and even better when those expansions exceed initial projections,” Beshear said in a press release. “I would like to thank Piston Automotive for expanding its footprint in Jefferson County as the company increases its support for the automotive market, including electric and hybrid vehicles. We will continue to see this sector grow in the months and years to come, and I am pleased that the growth includes Piston Automotive.
According to a press release, company executives now expect planned investment and job creation to increase significantly and the operation to relocate to Jefferson County.
There are currently 525 motor vehicle related facilities operating in Kentucky.
In a statement, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development said private sector companies announced more than 18,000 jobs in 2021, along with $11.2 billion in new investment. There were over 1,400 jobs and $600 million in investments this month.
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