Governor Andy Beshear attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Mizkan America's expansion project in Owensboro, Kentucky. The company plans to invest $156 million to enlarge its facilities by 320,000 square feet, which will create 44 full-time jobs. This expansion will allow Mizkan America to produce new product lines at the site and enhance its market position.
Governor Beshear emphasized the significance of this investment: "The tremendous growth we are seeing within Kentucky’s manufacturing industry has been a crucial component of our surging economy," he said. He also noted that Mizkan America's reinvestment reflects the state's favorable business environment.
Mizkan America CEO Koichi Yuki praised the Owensboro facility's contribution to the company's success: “Our factory in Owensboro has been in business for almost 50 years and currently makes around 1 million jars of pasta sauce every day,” he stated. Yuki expressed optimism about the future and gratitude towards the local community.
Local officials expressed their support for Mizkan's continued presence in Owensboro. Daviess County Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen highlighted the importance of the project: “We are grateful that Mizkan selected their Owensboro facility for this new project, cementing their long-term presence here.” Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson added that Mizkan provides valuable opportunities for local employees.
Claude Bacon from the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. remarked on the broader impact of such expansions: “A groundbreaking ceremony is more than just the start of construction; it represents dedication, vision and hard work.”
This development is part of a broader trend under Governor Beshear's administration, which has seen significant private-sector investments totaling over $35 billion since he took office. These projects have contributed to job creation and rising wages across Kentucky.
To support this growth, incentives were approved by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) through programs like KEIA, enabling companies like Mizkan to recover certain tax expenses related to construction and equipment costs.