Canadian processor Gracious Living Corp. (GL) plans to invest nearly $9.8 million and add 50 employees as part of an expansion in Kentucky.
The company first launched production in the U.S. in 2023 after acquiring a former automotive injection molding facility in Morgantown.
Founded in 1980, GL manufactures products for storage, laundry, patios, garages, pets and recreation.
The company had operated out of two facilities in Vaughn and Mississauga, Ontario, until buying the site of the former Stratus Plastics International Inc.
The facility consists of a 160,000-square-foot plant on a 12-acre lot about 60 miles north of metropolitan Nashville, Tenn.
GL will expand its operations to manufacture patio furniture, storage containers and shelving, according to a news release from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
"We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to expand in a state with hard-working citizens and a supportive government stance on economic growth," Charles Kida, GL's vice president of finance, said in a news release. "The Morgantown site offers an ideal location due to its strategic position for distribution. Gracious Living looks forward to establishing its first presence in the United States through this expansion initiative. This move represents a significant step in the company's growth strategy."
In 2023, Kida told Plastics News the Kentucky opportunity is helping GL handle challenges in shipping from Canada.
"This was an opportunity that we came across," Kida said. "It will help us because there are some challenges in shipping from Canada."
To help GL grow in the state, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) has given preliminarily approval for a 15-year performance-based agreement with the company to provide up to $1.43 million in tax breaks based on the investment of $9.78 million and two other targets.
GL must create and maintain 50 full-time jobs across 15 years and pay an average hourly wage of $26.37 including benefits across those jobs.
Also, GL is eligible for up to $70,000 in tax breaks through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA), which lets approved companies recoup the Kentucky sales and use it on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing.
In addition, if GL meets its annual targets over the agreement term, the company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
Another program, Gracious Living KY, is offering GL a no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.