Eight companies approved for economic development incentives

Projects would create 212 new jobs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2012) — Eight companies were approved for economic development incentives at this morning’s meeting of the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority in Frankfort, Ky. The projects would create 212 new jobs, $7.6 million in new annual payroll and $13.7 million in new investment.

“It is a testament to a recovering economy and our focused strategy that we are working with eight quality companies who are considering Louisville as a new home or for expanding their business,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our efforts in targeted business clusters are paying off as more jobs and investments are being created in the manufacturing and food and beverage clusters, and this month, in technology as well. We need more companies like these, who are innovative in their thinking, which are leading to new and efficient processes.”

The Curehouse LLC

The Curehouse LLC is a value-added further processor of high-end, cured Italian and Spanish style meats. They currently raise hogs in West Virginia, and transport them to third-party facilities in Kentucky for slaughter and processing. Their products are sold through specialty distributors to high-end restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, etc. and retail for as much as $90/lb. The investor group at Curehouse is considering leasing a facility in Louisville (on Preston Highway and Fern Valley Road) to further process and smoke the meats in-house. This expansion will allow them to source agricultural and livestock products from Kentucky family farms.

Curehouse has estimated a total investment of $4.2 million in capital expenditures. They plan to add 10 new KY resident jobs with a total payroll of $374,400 by 1Q2014.
The Curehouse LLC was approved for up to $190,000 in KBI* incentives and for up to 10 years.

Easy Connect LLC

Since early 2011, Easy Connect has concentrated on selling satellite TV services for dealers of the Dish Network. The company has been operationally successful and is an industry leader in percentage of closed sales calls.

Recently, the company was awarded a contract from Dish Network, whereby it can sell Dish Network TV services for all Dish dealers nationally. This will cause a dramatic expansion of the business, initially adding 97 new employees.

Within the first two years of operation, company has estimated a total investment of $441,500 in building materials and capital equipment; they plan to add 97 jobs with a total payroll of $3.1 million by 2Q2014.

Easy Connect LLC was approved for up to $750,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Flavorcraft

Flavorcraft is a contract and private label packager for the food and beverage industry. They are interested in adding manufacturing capacity at their current location, while also leasing additional warehouse space in their current industrial park. They are planning to purchase new, high-speed packaging equipment as well as a water treatment plant, complete with a reverse osmosis system, carbonation unit, and pasteurization system. This will significantly increase their service offerings to beverage customers.

Within the first two years of operation, the company has estimated a total investment of $553,500. They plan to add 10 jobs with a total payroll of $312,000 by 1Q2014.

Flavorcraft was approved for up to $150,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Louisville Dryer Company

Louisville Dryer Company is a manufacturer of large industrial rotary dryers for customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Egypt. Over the past eight months, the company has experienced significant increases in their job quoting activity and they are optimistic that the next five years will bring significant growth. To capitalize on this opportunity, the company needs to increase its manufacturing capacity. Louisville Dryer has identified a suitable building on Metal Lane, but they are considering expansion on both sides of the river.

Within the first two years of operation, the company has estimated a total investment of $215,000 in building materials and capital equipment; they plan to add 15 jobs with a total payroll of $499,200 by 2Q2014.

Louisville Dryer Company was approved for up to $200,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Rivergreen Water Recycling, LLC

Rivergreen Water Recycling LLC was formed as a Kentucky corporation in April of 2010.  The three founding partners have extensive experience in the transportation, chemical and environmental industries; having operated similar businesses in Memphis, TN.

Rivergreen will benefit the region’s transportation and infrastructure economy by adding the local infrastructure necessary to safely clean industrial wastewater. The planned Kentucky facility will be located at the Jefferson County Riverport.

Within the first three years of operation, company has estimated a total investment of $3.1 million in building materials and capital equipment, they plan to create 10 jobs with a total payroll of $582,400 by 3Q2015.

Rivergreen Water Recycling LLC was approved for up to $250,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Six Sigma Inc.

Six Sigma Inc. is a cutting edge machine builder and automation specialist concentrating in hydraulic power and high torque applications. The company ships their product all over the world, but they have a strong automotive customer base in the US and especially in Kentucky. The company has identified several new customers and new contracts which would require significant growth in their production capacity. To that end, Six Sigma is looking to move their existing operation (28,000 sf) into a much larger building and ramp up workforce and production in-kind.

Within the first two years of operation, the company has estimated a total investment of $2.8 million in building materials and capital equipment; they plan to add 20 jobs with a total payroll of $832,000 by 1Q2014.

Six Sigma Inc. was approved for up to $800,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Splash Analytics LLC

Splash Analytics is a data analytics company founded with a mission of making profitable use of the millions of data points that potential clients capture every day.  The company’s expertise lies in their ability to uncover hidden patterns, trends and inconsistencies in data from all sources allowing them to build predictive models that can then be used to improve profit and operational effectiveness across an entire organization. Splash Analytics is in the process of deciding where to locate the offices for this new startup venture.

Within the first two years of operation, the company has estimated a total investment of $80,000 in building materials and capital equipment; they plan to add 10 jobs with a total payroll of $728,000 by 1Q2014.

“The incentive package that the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved today for Splash Analytics proves that Kentucky is making job creation a priority.  As a result, we are considering a Louisville area location for our new company.” —  Kevin Foley, Co-Founder and CEO

Splash Analytics LLC was approved for up to $250,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

Westport LD

Westport LD is a global leader in natural gas engines and proprietary technology that allows engines to operate on clean-burning gaseous fuels such as compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, and bio-methane. Westport LD, through its US operating entity Westport Fuel Systems Inc., is looking to open a “Westport Kentucky Integration Centre” which would focus on the installation of compressed natural gas fuel systems in the Ford Super Duty trucks produced at KTP. The Louisville operation would include administrative support as well as production assembly lines and testing areas.

Within the first two years of operation, Westport LD has estimated a total investment of $2.4 million in building materials and capital equipment; they plan to add 40 jobs with a total payroll of $1.2 million by 1Q2014.

“Approval of the KBI incentives will help provide Westport LD with the opportunity to invest in a new facility in Louisville, create new jobs, and support the long-term growth of our company,” said Douglas Mann, Director of Manufacturing. Westport LD.

Westport LD was approved for up to $750,000 in KBI* incentives for up to 10 years.

The partnership between Greater Louisville Inc. – The Metro Chamber of Commerce, Louisville Metro Government and the state government brings new economic opportunities to the community. Through January 2012, the innovative public-private partnership has helped a variety of companies locate new operations or expand existing ones in the area. These projects have created 94 new jobs at an average salary of $43,495 and more than $3.4 million in new capital investment.