NEWS RELEASE
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 28, 2016) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Champion Home Builders Inc., a recognized name in modular, mobile and manufactured housing, will invest $6.3 million in a production facility in Benton and create up to 150 jobs.
“We are pleased to welcome Champion Home Builders to the Commonwealth and are excited about the opportunity to create 150 jobs for hard-working Kentuckians in Benton,” Gov. Bevin said. “This location will allow Champion to utilize the logistics and distribution advantages that make Kentucky an ideal home for manufacturers. We are excited to see this kind of growth. This is a great day for western Kentucky and the state.”
Champion plans to lease a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on Venture Lane in Benton. Company leaders plan to install state-of-the-art home-building equipment and refurbish existing equipment, such as scaffolds, cranes and bridges. Champion will then begin production of manufactured homes for distribution to retailers in Kentucky and other states.
“Kentucky brands itself as a place of unbridled spirit, and that kind of positive attitude really attracted us,” said Keith Anderson, CEO of Champion Home Builders Inc. “It conveys a strength of character we believe will help us continue to create remarkable homes for remarkable people.”
Anderson acknowledged the role Champion’s history in neighboring Tennessee played in the company’s decision.
“Our decades-long presence in west Tennessee has benefitted from the strong workforce there and we fully expect that to be the case in Kentucky, as well. In fact, access to so much skilled labor in the Benton area was a major factor in our decision to open new operations here. The future’s looking bright for Champion and Kentucky alike.”
Founded in 1953 in Troy, Mich., Champion specializes in a wide variety of manufactured, modular and park-model homes, as well as modular buildings for the multi-family, hospitality, senior and workforce housing sectors. Champion started as a single manufacturing facility in rural Michigan and grew to offer factory-built housing and other structures throughout the U.S., United Kingdom and western Canada. The company operates 28 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, and employs more than 4,200 people worldwide.
Sen. Danny Carroll, of Paducah, said Champion will add to the county’s economy.
“Our regional economy will be positively impacted by the business and jobs Champion Home Builders brings to Marshall County,” Sen. Carroll said. “I welcome the news and thank the company for its investment in our state and Marshall County.”
Rep. Will Coursey, of Symsonia, said Champion’s decision shows Benton is a great place for economic development.
“I appreciate Champion Homes’ decision to bring so many jobs to our region and for recognizing how great of a community they are locating in,” Rep. Coursey said. “The large investment is a reflection of our dedicated workforce and the fact our area has so much to offer. I look forward to their partnership.”
Benton Mayor Rita Dotson said Champion Homes found a great home in Benton.
“I am pleased to welcome Champion Homes to Benton, Kentucky,” Mayor Dotson said. “We are all very excited to see new opportunity created for our citizens. Congratulations Champion Homes and welcome to our community.”
Marshall County Judge-Executive Kevin Neal said he will follow the company’s progress and wishes it success.
“We are excited to welcome Champion Homes to our community and look forward to seeing their success in Marshall County,” Judge Neal said. “Congratulations to Champion Homes and the workforce of Marshall County on this great news.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2.25 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.
In addition, Champion can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 5,600 Kentucky companies.
For more information on Champion Home Builders, visit www.ChampionHomes.com.
(Featured Image: commons.wikimedia.org)