Food plant in Murray to add 15 new jobs
MURRAY, Ky. (KBSI) – A food plant in Murray will add more jobs.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that Kenlake Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kroger Co., is expanding its current operation in Calloway County with a $24 million investment that will create 15 high-wage jobs.
“From large corporations to family-owned businesses, we are continuing to see Kentucky companies believe and invest in our communities,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kenlake Foods has been serving the Murray and Western Kentucky region for over four decades, and this investment is a critical step to ensuring they continue to do so for many years to come. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their continued support and investment in the commonwealth.”
The $24 million investment will expand the Murray operation by 6,000 square feet. That brings the facility’s total square footage to 215,000. The project will include the installation of new processing equipment for dry roasting and packaging various nut lines.
Kenlake Foods has provided snack, baking and produce nuts to all Kroger retail divisions since 1982. The company also specializes in the manufacture of more than 800 items, mostly dry mixes and salted nuts, but also processes puddings, gelatins, drink mixes, instant oatmeal and oats.
The Murray plant was one of the first 41 Kroger manufacturing plants in the United States. It employs more than 340 Kentuckians.
Kroger maintains 112 stores in Kentucky that employs more than 19,000 associates.
Kentucky is home to four manufacturing and distribution facilities that service the company, as well as a regional headquarters in Louisville.
Since 1987, Kroger’s floral designers have created the Kentucky Derby Garland of Roses.
In 2017, Kroger and the University of Kentucky entered a 12-year marketing agreement that renamed the university’s football stadium to Kroger Field.
“As Judge/Executive, we work with the Murray County Economic Development Corporation, the city and local industries to help provide jobs for our people,” said Calloway County Judge/Executive Kenneth Imes. “This project is certainly welcome news and shows that Kenlake is doing good things for Calloway County and the commonwealth.”
“As Mayor of the city of Murray, I am certainly glad to see Kroger and Kenlake continue to invest in our community,” said Murray Mayor Bob Rogers. “This commitment of 15 new full-time jobs and $24 million in investment helps solidify the long-term presence of Kenlake and is welcome news. We continue to work hard to be a business-friendly city and appreciate the benefits of our collaboration with Kroger and Kenlake.”
“Kenlake has been an important part of our local economy for many years,” said Jerry Duncan, chairman of the Murray County Economic Development Corporation. “Working with the company and the city on this project will mean the addition of 15 well-paying jobs to the community to help support 15 families. The MCEDC is proud to partner with our manufacturing employers to make their investment decisions easy and to support the commonwealth in our mutual goal of smart growth.”
Gov. Beshear reported this week that General Fund receipts for September 2023 totaled more than $1 billion, marking the 13th straight month with revenues more than $1 billion. The governor also recently announced that his administration secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history.
The General Fund budget surplus at the end of fiscal year 2023 was more than $1.55 billion. Nearly all of the $1.55 billion surplus will go into the commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund. That brings the fund to a record balance of $3.7 billion which is a 2,700% increase since Gov. Beshear took office in 2019.
Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history this year.
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