General Motors Corp. plans to invest $290 million to improve technology and processes at its Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Gov. Matt Bevin announced Friday.
“For 35 years, the Bowling Green Assembly Plant has provided jobs to thousands of Kentuckians and to hundreds of suppliers and vendors. We congratulate GM and offer our commitment to lending them support for this project and any others they may undertake in the future,” continued Gov. Bevin.
The $290 million includes a $153 million new project aimed at improving vehicle assembly line processes. Two ongoing projects at the Warren County plant – a $44 million, 36-job capacity expansion of the Performance Build Center and a $439 million investment in a new paint shop and other facility upgrades – increased by about $137 million.
“We are making technology investments that will continue to improve our manufacturing processes and ultimately the quality of our vehicles,” said North American Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones. “We are putting Corvette customers first by building upon our world-class manufacturing process.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in Bowling Green, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in a special meeting in June preliminarily approved GM for up to $3 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) program. The incentives are based on eligible company investments of up to $153 million and creation of up to 270 jobs over 10 years.
KBI’s 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.
Sen. Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, noted the impact the announcement will make on one of the state’s target industries.
“GM’s latest investment in the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, coming in a succession of upgrades, expansions and enhancements the last several years, adds to an already tremendous and ongoing economic impact,” Sen. Wilson said. “When you consider the company’s direct investment and jobs, along with those of dozens of automotive suppliers it has attracted to Kentucky, it’s difficult to overstate just how important GM and its continuing commitment is to the Commonwealth.”
Rep. Jody Richards, of Bowling Green, said GM’s investments toward improving product quality benefits the state and Kentucky families.
“I want to thank and congratulate General Motors for its ongoing commitment to Kentucky and the Bowling Green Assembly Plant,” Rep. Richards said. “Investments such as this $290 million in upgrades announced today not only improve the Corvette’s iconic status but also enable the company to provide stable, well-paying jobs for Kentuckians and add economic momentum to our state.”
Rep. Michael Meredith, of Brownsville, welcomed the new project and additional investment by GM.
“This latest investment by General Motors, a company that has maintained a leading presence among manufacturers in Kentucky for decades, will continue improving the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. As well, it will help keep Kentucky among the top auto-manufacturing states in the country,” he said. “I thank for GM for reinvesting in its Bowling Green Assembly Plant and its premier sports car.”
Rep. Jim DeCesare, of Bowling Green, said he appreciates GM upholding its Corvette plant and Kentucky.
“Across 35 years of production in Bowling Green, the world’s automotive industry and enthusiast culture have come to recognize Kentucky as home of the Corvette,” DeCesare said. “Announcements like this $290 million investment reaffirm GM’s confidence in the region and in the state.”
Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon said the Bowling Green Assembly plant has been an icon for 35 years.
“GM has grown to employ over 900 South Central Kentucky residents. The continued investment in the plant and our community is instrumental in shaping the automotive industry in our region,” he said. “We appreciate GM’s support and commitment to our local economy and we look forward to Corvette’s continued success in Bowling Green.”
Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said the world recognizes the city most notably as home of the Corvette.
“I congratulate GM and all employees at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant for their continued growth and success. Bowling Green is proud to be the home of America’s sports car,” he said.
GM began Corvette production at the Bowling Green plant in 1981. The facility has remained the exclusive home of the Corvette ever since. With more than 1.6 million produced since 1954 and international recognition as America’s sports car, the Corvette is the world’s longest-running, continuously produced passenger car.
In 2015 Corvette sales reached 36,000 and the plant welcomed more than 50,000 visitors from around the world for public tours.
Earlier this year, GM received a Corporate Investment & Community Impact (CiCi) Award from Trade & Industry Development magazine for its two 2015 expansion projects.
From Governor’s Office Communications
