Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday announced Omnis Building Technologies (OBT) Ashland, a startup manufacturer of economical, sustainable and fire-resistant doors and cabinetry, will invest $45.5 million and create 55 well-paying jobs with a new facility in Greenup County.
Using renewable resources and advanced materials, OBT Ashland will manufacture doors and cabinets with the construction of a 100,000-square-foot facility at the Wurtland Riverport, according to a press release from Beshear's office. The doors and cabinets are to be available wholesale, but primarily will be used inside OBT’s own energy-efficient homes, which are made with panels called Composite Insulated Building Units (CIBUs).
The CIBUs are to be produced at a facility in Bluefield, West Virginia, which will complement the investment in Kentucky. Together, they will provide affordable, high-quality, energy-efficient homes that are readily available to satisfy the growing housing market, the release continued.
“We are working to create economic opportunities and quality jobs in every region of the state, and this investment by OBT Ashland in Greenup County helps move us toward that goal,” Beshear said in the release. “I am thrilled the company’s leaders see the great advantages of locating in this community, and I look forward to OBT’s growth in Northeast Kentucky for years to come.”
Jonathan Hodson, president of OBT, said major factors in choosing the location included the ability to serve a substantial portion of the U.S. population and the existing infrastructure, such as direct river and rail access.
“We are excited to expand our presence in Appalachia and to bring family-sustaining jobs to Kentucky by manufacturing revolutionary products to assist in solving the nation’s housing crisis,” Hodson said in the release. “Our collaboration with successful local businesses like Wright Concrete is ensuring our mission will be achieved.”
Another goal of OBT is to specifically support growth in communities impacted by the decline of coal and create an economically diverse ecosystem with job creation, capital investment, workforce development and re-employment opportunities.
OBT Ashland adds to Kentucky’s manufacturing presence, which includes nearly 5,000 facilities that employ approximately 250,000 people across the state. In 2021, manufacturers contributed to 13,900 new jobs in the commonwealth with $10.5 billion in new investments.
Greenup County Judge/Executive Robert Carpenter said he expects OBT to have sustained success at its new location.
“We are happy to welcome Omnis Building Technologies to Greenup County,” Judge Carpenter said. “This cutting-edge technology is a great fit for our area’s workforce. We look forward to their long-term success and growth.”
In 2021, Kentucky shattered every economic development record in the books. Private-sector new-location and expansion announcements included a record $11.2 billion in total planned investment and commitments to create a record 18,000-plus full-time jobs across the coming years. Kentucky’s average incentivized hourly wage for projects statewide in 2021 was $24 before benefits, a 9.4% increase over the previous year.
Agritech business to open in Taylor County
Beshear’s goal to establish Kentucky as a leader in the agritech sector took another step forward Thursday as startup meat processor Green River Meats LLC shared plans to locate in Taylor County, creating 25 full-time jobs with a more than $2.3 million commitment.
The new processing plant will serve the local livestock industry and is expected to open at 3998 Greensburg Road near Campbellsville in 2023. The operation will offer custom processing services of cattle and hogs under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection and feature a retail storefront for the sale of beef and pork cuts.
Jobs created through the project will include beef and pork fabrication, value-added processing, sales, packaging and management positions.
Owners Randy and Stephany Smoot and Tim and Leslie Jeffries bring more than 30 years of agriculture experience and over a decade raising Angus beef for local customers. Plans for the new operation include a USDA-inspected and Global Food Safety Initiative-certified processing plant with the aim to package 25,000 pounds of product per week.
Green River Meats will grow the commonwealth’s agritech presence, which includes more than 200 agribusiness-related facilities that employ over 20,000 people statewide.
