Western Rivers Boat Management, Inc. Moves HQs to Paducah
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Paducah has landed the corporate headquarters of Western Rivers Boat Management, Inc. The company, formerly based in Arkansas, announced its intent in May to relocate its operations, creating 33 new full-time Kentucky jobs with an average annual wage of more than $54,000. |
“The relocation of Western Rivers Boat Management’s headquarters to Paducah is an outstanding addition to the state’s economy, one that will create high-quality, well-paying jobs for the citizens of the commonwealth,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “We look forward to building an ongoing partnership with Western Rivers as they grow and prosper here for years to come.”
The headquarters operation, which began operations In June, consists of a 15,680 square-foot distribution and warehouse facility. In addition, the project includes a towboat repair facility which provides welding of additional steel to the hulls of the towboats and barges and routine maintenance of engines and towboats. The repair facility will allow Western Rivers to perform its repair operations “in house” rather than performing the repairs in Mississippi or Louisiana.
“We are happy to be able to relocate our headquarters to a city and county that understands the importance of the river industry and offers the quality of life that made it an easy decision for us to move our families and company to Paducah,” said Western Rivers Boat Management President Charles Strait. “The support provided by the city of Paducah, McCracken County, the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council, the Paducah McCracken County Riverport Authority and the Commonwealth of Kentucky was invaluable as well.”
Western Rivers, a family-owned business established in 1996, provides crewing and management services for the inland marine towing industry. Vessels operated by Western Rivers transport barges loaded with rock, steel and grain for their customers, which are located along the inland river systems of the United States. The company currently operates 27 towboats and harbor tugs.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved Western Rivers Boat Management, Inc. for tax incentives up to $750,000 under the Kentucky Jobs Development Act (KJDA), an incentive program designed to attract and expand technology- and service-related industries in the state.
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