Aluminum Manufacturer to Expand into Kentucky, Create 200 New Jobs

　　The forthcoming facility in Bowling Green will provide aluminum to the company's can manufacturing facilities throughout North America. Ball expects the facility to begin production early next year and create nearly 200 new jobs as it expands and adds new modules in subsequent years.

　　Company officials cited the city's proximity to suppliers, distribution routes, and a manufacturing labor force.

　　"These investments will align our end production with our beverage can capacity investments, and are supported by numerous long-term customer contracts to serve the unprecedented demand for sustainable aluminum packaging," Colin Gillis, Ball's president of beverage packaging for North and Central America, said in a statement.

　　The Bowling Green plant will be Ball's first facility in Kentucky. The company operates more than 20 sites in North America, with new beverage can plants set to open this year in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Ball also supplies aluminum for consumer and household products, as well as to the aerospace and technology sectors.

　　The company is eligible for up to $6 million in state tax incentives over 10 years provided it meets hiring and wage thresholds, as well as another $1.3 million in tax incentives related to construction and equipment costs.

　　Hiring is slated to begin later this year.

　　"Ball has a strong reputation all over the world, and we are proud to welcome them to our community," Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott said in a statement.