Gov. Andy Beshear recently attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Earth Breeze's new facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The $5.9 million plant will create 226 full-time jobs. "This is yet another great manufacturing project for the commonwealth and an incredible job-creation opportunity for Mercer County and the surrounding region," said Gov. Beshear.
This 81,000-square-foot facility will undergo a testing phase before fully operational. The plant will handle various stages of production, such as blending eco-friendly formulations, packaging, and quality control. Roles at the facility include production operators and administrative managers.
Ben Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Earth Breeze, expressed excitement about the project. "This marks an exciting milestone for Earth Breeze as we officially open our first U.S. manufacturing facility here in Harrodsburg, Kentucky," he said. The company was founded in 2019 and focuses on producing environmentally friendly laundry detergents. It has achieved notable partnerships with over 800 organizations to distribute free detergent to those in need.
Local response to the facility has been positive. Greyson Evans, director of the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Industrial Development Authority, said, "Harrodsburg, Mercer County and our industrial authority couldn’t be more thrilled for Earth Breeze and our community."
Under Gov. Beshear's administration, Kentucky has seen significant private-sector growth, announcing over 1,100 projects with investments exceeding $35 billion. The period marked the best for economic growth in the state's history, with rising wages and increased job opportunities.
Earth Breeze's investment fits into the broader trend of economic expansion in Kentucky, which has also seen record investment in electric vehicle battery production projects. Gov. Beshear also highlighted initiatives like the New Kentucky Home to boost economic activity and tourism.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has supported this investment by preliminarily approving an incentive agreement with Earth Breeze. This agreement will provide tax benefits based on investment and job creation performance.