FRANKFORT, Ky. — Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls Inc., a major producer of frozen dinner rolls, has announced a $50 million phase I expansion of its manufacturing operation in Hart County, expected to create 72 full-time jobs.
“It is a strong endorsement of the workforce in and around Hart County that Sister Schubert’s has selected Kentucky for this substantial expansion,” Gov. Bevin said. “These delicious dinner rolls have become a household name, and we are proud to support the continued growth of this marquee brand. Sister Schubert’s is quite literally a company on the rise, and we are grateful that they have found a recipe for success right here in the commonwealth.”
Sister Schubert’s will increase the size of its current bakery by 120,000 s.f. and install a new baking line to support future growth. Expanded manufacturing capabilities are expected to be operational in 2020 beginning with one 10-hour shift and expand to two shifts thereafter based on product demand.
“We are very pleased to expand our operations in Hart County, Kentucky,” said Steve Blackburn, director of operations at the Sister Schubert facility in Horse Cave. “The workforce and community here have provided us with great support since we built and began production at the Sister Schubert’s facility in Horse Cave over 10 years ago. We truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of and invest in the future growth of Hart County.”
Sister Schubert’s is a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice markets. Sister Schubert’s dinner yeast rolls are sold in the frozen section at supermarkets throughout the country and to national chain restaurants. Other subsidiaries of Lancaster Colony include T. Marzetti Co., New York Frozen Foods Inc. and Flatout Inc. In total, the parent company has annual sales in excess of $1.2 billion.
Sen. Stephen Meredith, of Leitchfield, described Sister Schubert’s as a quality company with a quality product.
“Anyone who has had Sister Schubert’s rolls knows the company creates a quality product, and we are proud to have them here in Central Kentucky,” Meredith said. “These 72 jobs will be a difference maker in the region, and we appreciate the company’s efforts to grow their Horse Cave operation.”
Rep. Bart Rowland, of Tompkinsville, said the company has an important place in the local economy.
“This expansion is a tremendous deal for Horse Cave,” Rep. Rowland said. “Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls is an important business in Horse Cave, and Hart County will be pleased with the more than 70 jobs this expansion will provide.”
Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry said the company has been a great fit for the community over the past decade.
“We are extremely proud to have Sister Schubert’s expand in our industrial park and the investment and jobs this expansion will bring to Horse Cave and Hart County,” Curry said. “Investments of this magnitude speak volumes for a company willing to continue to increase their presence in this community and a county that promotes job creation, job retention and an opportunity for the local workforce to be able to stay at home and make a living for their families. We are proud that they chose to be in our community about ten years ago and they have continued to improve our relationship to be a community player.”
Hart County judge executive Terry Martin noted that Sister Schubert’s has been a strong corporate partner since locating in Horse Cave.
“Hart County is very appreciative of the confidence placed in our community by their commitment to this project,” Martin said. “Sister Schubert’s continues to be a great corporate citizen that gives back to Hart County. I am very proud of their workers and staff at the Horse Cave plant. As we go forward, Hart County will continue to provide resources to ensure future growth. I would like to thank the governor, Cabinet for Economic Development, Hart County Industrial Authority, Sister Schubert’s and legislative and local leaders for their hard work on this project.”
Hart County Industrial Authority Chairman John Bunnell expressed appreciation for the company’s commitment to the region.
“We are extremely thrilled with the planned expansion from Sister Schubert’s at the Industrial Park in Horse Cave,” Bunnell said. “Hart County has been blessed with wonderful industries that are providing great employment and career opportunities for not only Hart County, but surrounding areas. Sister Schubert is a proven asset for our area.”
Sister Schubert’s indicated investment could reach a total of $74 million with the creation of an estimated 62 additional jobs should the Horse Cave location be selected for phase II of the expansion. On Thursday, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved the company for tax incentives based on both projects to encourage the company to move forward with phase II in the commonwealth. There is currently no timeline for the company’s decision on the second phase of the project.
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, KEDFA on Thursday preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2.6 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 Sister Schubert’s for up to $650,000 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.
Sister Schubert’s 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 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls, visit www.SisterSchuberts.com.
A detailed community profile for Hart County can be viewed here.
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