LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced as much as $961 million in funding for five companies in the state Monday, including two projects in Shelbyville.
Wieland North America Recycling will use $270 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand its capacity by investing in advanced metal processing technology. The project could be the biggest in Shelby County's history, expected to create as many as 200 permanent jobs.
"Wieland is excited to begin award negotiations with the U.S. Department of Energy," Matt Bedingfield, president of business unit recycling at Wieland North America, said in a news release Monday. "Our ambitious sustainability goals align with those of the Department of Energy with regards to industrial decarbonization, as well as long-term investment in the local community and American workforce."
Another project would install batteries to create zero carbon heat at the Bulleit Distillery, bringing more jobs and community benefits to the Shelby County area. The project is part of a $75 million grant from the Department of Energy.
"Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy marks a milestone for our North American operations and gives us the opportunity to incorporate innovative technologies into our production footprint to make our business more efficient, resilient and sustainable," Marsha McIntosh-Hamilton, president of North America Supply at Diageo North America, said in a news release Monday. "Through our partnership with Rondo Energy we’ll build a model that can be replicated across our supply operations in the U.S."
The other three projects include a new aluminum smelter in northeastern Kentucky, a chemical production electrification and heat storage project in Calvert City and a first-of-its-kind coal-to-pumped-storage hydropower plant in Bell County.
"We are building that better Kentucky we have all dreamed of – thousands of good jobs and billions of dollars in economic investments are planned – and we are announcing what could be the two largest projects ever in Eastern Kentucky, and possibly the largest project in Shelby County," Beshear said in a news release Monday. "We have so many people to thank for believing in Kentucky and our great workforce, including President Biden, Secretary Granholm, the teams at Century Aluminum, Wieland, Diageo, ISP Chemicals and Rye Development and all the supportive community partners."
For more information about the project, click here.
Kentucky Business News:
- Beshear announces $81 million federal grant for hydropower facility in eastern Kentucky
- Papa Johns CEO leaves for top post at Shake Shack
- $50 million West Louisville Opportunity Center officially opens in Parkland neighborhood
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
