A global name in modular and mobile home construction is investing $6.3 million towards creating a production facility in Marshall County.
Champion Home Builders Inc. plans to lease a 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on Venture Lane in Benton while creating up to 150 new jobs.
The announcement was expected by economic development officials earlier this week.
“This location will allow Champion to utilize the logistics and distribution advantages that make Kentucky an ideal home for manufacturers," said Gov. Matt Bevin in a news release. "We are excited to see this kind of growth. This is a great day for western Kentucky and the state.”
The Michigan-based company specializes in a variety of manufactured, modular and park-model homes and other buildings for workforce housing.
The company has 28 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, including one in west Tennessee.
“Kentucky brands itself as a place of unbridled spirit, and that kind of positive attitude really attracted us,” said Keith Anderson, CEO of Champion Home Builders Inc. “Our decades-long presence in west Tennessee has benefited from the strong workforce there and we fully expect that to be the case in Kentucky, as well. In fact, access to so much skilled labor in the Benton area was a major factor in our decision to open new operations here. The future’s looking bright for Champion and Kentucky alike.”
Kentucky Lake Economic Development's Josh Tubbs says the business is expected to bring around jobs that pay an average of $20 dollars an hour.
“I am pleased to welcome Champion Homes to Benton, Kentucky,” said Benton Mayor Rita Dotson.“We are all very excited to see new opportunity created for our citizens. Congratulations Champion Homes and welcome to our community.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has approved up to $2.25 million of performance-based tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment Program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
Company leaders plan to install state-of-the-art home-building equipment and refurbish existing equipment, such as scaffolds, cranes and bridges. Champion will then begin production of manufactured homes for distribution to retailers in Kentucky and other states.