KEDFA approves tax incentives for projects, including $50 million Hillshire Brands expansion

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 27, 2017) — The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority at its monthly meeting today approved tax incentives for expanding the existing operations of The Hillshire Brands Company in Alexandria, Ky.

In 2014, Tyson Foods acquired and consolidated The Hillshire Brands Company, a manufacturer and marketer of branded, convenient foods, which includes leading brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park and Wright. The Campbell County location has been in operation since 1984 as a distribution center and then as a manufacturer. This expansion would include a new wastewater treatment facility and warehouse cold storage addition to maintain a competitive strategy in the marketplace.

Total tax incentives approved are $400,000 for a project that will initially create 16 jobs at an average salary of $28 per hour, with a projected job target of 26 jobs in 10 years.

The Hillshire Brands Company’s total investment in the project is $50 million.

Other projects approved for tax incentives include:

Audubon Metals LLC in Henderson was approved for $1 million in incentives to expand existing operations that will hire 39 at $24 per hour. Audubon is a separator of various scrap metals and secondary specification aluminum alloy producer. The company is considering constructing an addition to its existing building to house a new furnace. This will be Audubon’s fifth furnace and would add much needed capacity to its aluminum production to help met sales demands. Audubon’s total investment in the project is $8.3 million.

ORBIS Corporation in Bardstown was approved for $900,000 in incentives to expand existing operations that will hire 55 at $31 per hour. ORBIS Corp. is the industrial leader in reusable packaging serving automotive, industrial, retail and food/beverage supply chains. The company is considering the expansion of its existing facility in Bardstown to increase production and warehouse space. The project will also include the purchase of additional equipment. ORBIS’ total investment in the project is $30 million.