Marshall County government and business leaders touted the economic potential of a new 300-acre industrial park at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday in Benton. A local software and I.T. company plans to complete construction on its 20,000-square-foot headquarters next year as the first tenant of the nascent industrial park.
United Systems announced last year the company was investing $5.3 million to build their headquarters at Southwest One Industrial Park. Gov. Matt Bevin’s office said the company currently employs 46, with plans to hire 50 people in the expansion.
“We feel that there’s ample opportunity to bring even more talent as we need it,” said United Systems President Scott Waldrop. “We’re trying to work with the local school systems, from high school to Murray State, to have people locally educated...and stay and work for us and not have to move off to get a good job.”
Waldrop said the company plans to have construction completed by May. United Systems has operated in Marshall County since 1977 and serves customers in 13 states.
Kentucky Lake Economic Development President Josh Tubbs brought middle school students to the ceremony because he said the industrial park will provide future opportunities for them.
“I think that what we’re seeing is the surge of talent coming out of future generations, and that’s what the focus is,” Tubbs said. “Developments like Southwest One Industrial Park, developments like Murray’s industrial park, all the resources available at our colleges and universities, that’s what makes us unique to be here in west Kentucky.”
Tubbs said collaboration with local technical colleges and Murray State University is key to producing potential employees who can work for United Systems and other companies.
