Nitto, a global manufacturer of high-performance materials and technology, has opened a new production facility in Frankfort, Kentucky. The project is expected to create 220 full-time jobs for the region.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the significance of this development for both the company and the local community. “The versatility of Kentucky’s economy is one of our state’s greatest strengths, and the continued growth of our manufacturing, automotive and aerospace sectors is key to our historic economic momentum,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today’s ribbon cutting is an exciting next step not just for Nitto, but for Franklin County and the surrounding communities. The 220 quality jobs will provide a boost to the local economy as well as incredible opportunities for local Kentuckians and their families. I want to thank Nitto’s leadership for their continued investment in the commonwealth and our workforce.”
The new facility at 120 Fortune Drive in Franklin County’s Industrial Park 3 provides Nitto with expanded production space to support its operations.
“Today marks a proud and exciting milestone for Nitto as we officially open the doors to our new Frankfort facility,” said Shingo Suita, president of Nitto Inc. “This expansion reflects our continued growth, commitment to innovation and dedication to serving our customers and community with excellence. I want to thank the local Kentucky community for their warm welcome to the area along with our incredible team, our partners and everyone who helped bring this vision to life. We look forward to the opportunities this new space will create and the future we will build together."
Founded in 1918, Nitto produces materials such as industrial tapes and optronics products. The company aims to be a leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards by offering innovative solutions across several industries including electronics, automotive, aerospace, housing construction, metal processing, and healthcare.
Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller highlighted that this is one of the largest job commitments in Franklin County in about 15 years: “Nitto Corp.’s decision to expand in Frankfort with 220 new jobs – the largest such commitment in our community in about 15 years – is a moment of great significance for Franklin County. With a proud history dating back to 1918, Nitto embodies the values long admired in Japanese industry: innovation, precision and a deep sense of responsibility to both employees and the communities they serve. We are honored by Nitto’s confidence in our region and look forward to building a lasting partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared progress.”
Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson welcomed Nitto's investment: “On behalf of the City of Frankfort, I extend our sincere gratitude to Nitto for choosing to grow with us. This significant investment reflects both Frankfort’s continued momentum and Nitto’s deep commitment to excellence, innovation and community. We are proud to welcome a global partner who shares our values of respect, responsibility and long-term vision. We look forward to building a strong and lasting relationship for years to come.”
Penny Peavler, interim economic development director for Frankfort/Franklin County noted: “Nitto’s decision to expand in Frankfort with the creation of 220 new jobs is a milestone for our community and a testament to our readiness for meaningful, long-term partnerships. As a company with more than a century of excellence and innovation, Nitto brings with it not only global expertise but also the deeply respected tradition of integrity, precision and a commitment to shared success. We are honored by their trust in Frankfort and are committed to supporting their growth and integration into our community.”
The opening comes during what officials describe as Kentucky's strongest five-year period for economic growth on record.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has announced over $36 billion worth of private-sector investments through more than 1,200 projects statewide—creating over 62,000 jobs—and securing more capital investment than any previous governor [https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2036]. Average incentivized hourly wages have surpassed $26 since 2022.
Major projects announced during his administration include Ford Motor Co.'s BlueOval SK Battery Park ($5.8 billion), AESC's gigafactory ($2 billion), Toyota's expansion ($1.3 billion), among others [https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1847].
Kentucky recently achieved record employment levels above two million filled jobs [https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.KY.htm] while maintaining budget surpluses [https://apps.treasury.ky.gov/rainydayfund/] . Credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings [https://www.fitchratings.com/entity/kentucky-state-of-80339953], S&P Global Ratings [https://disclosure.spglobal.com/ratings/en/regulatory/article/-/view/type/HTML/id/3163194], and Moody's Investors Service [https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-upgrades-Kentuckys-GO-bonds-to-Aa2-from-Aa3-outlook--PR_475823] have upgraded Kentucky's ratings.
Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky among top states nationally—and second regionally—for economic development projects per capita according its latest Governor’s Cup rankings [https://siteselection.com/issues/2024/mar/top-metros-and-micropolitans.cfm]. The state also placed highly on Site Selection's Prosperity Cup list recognizing successful state-level economic development agencies [https://siteselection.com/issues/2025/may/the-2025-prosperity-cup.cfm].
Gov. Beshear has also launched New Kentucky Home—a statewide initiative aimed at increasing investment while attracting talent and tourism.