Dart Container Corporation Breaks Ground on Major Expansion in Hart County
Governor Ernie Fletcher and Cabinet for Economic Development Commissioner J.R. Wilhite visited Hart County on October 23 to break ground on an industrial expansion for Dart Container Corporation. Local and company representatives joined state officials to celebrate the expansion, which will create 412 new jobs in the state.
“The success and expansion of Kentucky’s existing businesses are important to the state’s overall economy,” said Governor Fletcher. “Dart Container Corporation is a prime example of this success, creating more than 400 new jobs for the citizens of the commonwealth. I congratulate the company, the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Hart County community for making this project possible.”
Dart Container Corporation manufactures disposable food service products including cups, plates, bowls and carry-out containers. The expansion project calls for the conversion of existing warehouse space into production space; the addition of a new production line; and the purchase of new equipment for the facility. Additionally, the company plans to construct a new 587,000 square-foot warehouse and distribution center.
“Dart Container is thankful and proud of the support from the local and state level now and over the past 27 years,” said Joe Lowry, facility manager for Dart Container. “Our greatest assets as a company and plant are the thoughts, skills and efforts of our people. The employees at the Dart-Horse Cave Plant have and continue to create jobs for Hart County and the surrounding counties by safely providing quality, value and service to our customers. Our people truly set the industry standard of excellence.”
Prior to the expansion, Dart Container employed 897 people at its Horse Cave operation, which is located at 975 South Dixie Street. The company also has a facility in Owensboro. This expansion will bring its total Kentucky employment base to more than 1,400.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved Dart Container Corporation for tax benefits up to $3.8 million under the Kentucky Industrial Development Act (KIDA), an incentive program for new and expanding manufacturing firms. Additionally, the company received approval for up to $360,120 under the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA), Kentucky’s newest incentive program, which allows qualified companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax paid for construction materials and building fixtures. |
