FRANKFORT, Ky. — Protein producer Double D Group LLC announced a $41.5 million investment to establish a production facility in Muhlenberg County, creating 200 direct full-time jobs and 40 contracted positions.
Double D Group will locate in an existing 300,000-square-foot building at 100 Gourmet Dining Drive in Greenville. The facility, which was built in 1956 and received USDA certification for food and protein manufacturing in 2007, has primarily been used as a warehouse facility for retail grocery distribution and has been vacant for the past six months. Company leaders will renovate the building to include two production lines for poultry products and other proteins with ample space for future growth and the introduction of new product lines. Jobs created include management, clerical, skilled labor and general labor positions.
“We are a privately held company that strives to build a family-friendly business,” said CEO Dick Downs. “Being a strong community- and the family-oriented company is part of our core values, and we look forward to developing that in this area.”
Double D Group is a newly established subsidiary of Fairmont Foods Inc., which maintains a warehouse facility on nearby Greene Drive in Greenville. The company has grown into a leading fully-cooked protein processor and co-packer of frozen entrees.
In October, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program to encourage investment and job growth in the community. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $3 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $41.5 million and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 200 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and
- Paying an average hourly wage of $27, including benefits across those jobs.
KEDFA approved the company for up to $100,000 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.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, the company can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
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