BakeryExpress Midwest, a commercial baking company, is investing $10 million to build a 35,000-square-foot facility in Boone County that will produce baked goods for retailers in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee.
The facility is projected to create 175 jobs, according to a press release from the Governor’s office. Construction is expected to begin in late 2023, with its completion anticipated for December 2024. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear commented that the announcement would create quality job opportunities in the commonwealth.
“Kentucky’s economy continues to gain momentum, and our state’s food and beverage sector is a crucial part of that growth,” Beshear said in the release. “This new location in Boone County from Bakery Express MidWest will not only allow the company to take its business to the next level.”
Founded in 1970 in Halethorpe, MD, BakeryExpress provides over 4,000 retail outlets nationwide with baked goods, including donuts, muffins, cookies, brownies, croissants, bagels, pastries and cupcakes. Over time, the company has expanded into regional markets such as the Midwest, central Florida, central Texas and southern California.
“I’m delighted to announce that our team will be expanding our fresh bakery operations to a new location in Boone County, Kentucky,” Bakery Express MidWest President Charles Burman said. “I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for the support of both Boone County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for including Bakery Express in the Kentucky Business Investment program.”
Northern Kentucky has over 30 companies operating in the food, beverage and flavoring industry, according to BE NKY CEO Lee Crume.
“Bakery Express MidWest will be able to draw on a talented workforce as it builds its new manufacturing center in Northern Kentucky,” Crume said. “We celebrate their investment and first facility in the Midwest.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved a ten-year performance-based incentive agreement with BakeryExpress MidWest under the Kentucky Business Investment program.
The agreement can provide the company with up to $1 million worth of tax incentives on their $10 million investment if they meet certain performance benchmarks such as creating and maintaining up to 177 full-time jobs for Kentucky residents for up to 10 years and paying those workers an hourly wage of $22.50 including benefits.
BakeryExpress MidWest will also be eligible to keep a portion of its new tax revenue if they meet annual performance targets detailed in the incentive agreement.
