Berry Global is a worldwide leader in innovative packaging solutions 

FRANKFORT, KY - On Jan. 30, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear announced continued momentum within the state’s manufacturing industry as Letica Corp., a subsidiary company of Berry Global, announced plans to expand its operation in Fulton County with a $27.8 million investment creating 15 new Kentucky jobs.

“Kentucky’s manufacturing growth has been a critical component in our state’s recent historic economic momentum,” said Gov. Beshear. “We continue to see global leaders in their respective industries invest in the commonwealth and its communities, providing quality job opportunities for Kentuckians and their families. I want to thank Letica Corp. and Berry Global for their trust in this great state and look forward to their continued success.”

To meet growing industry and customer demand, the company is planning to expand its manufacturing operation in Fulton County, adding an additional 45,000 square feet to its warehouse. The investment will also include building and property improvements as well as the addition of new machinery and equipment upgrades. The 15 new jobs created will push the company’s statewide employment to 216.

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our Fulton, Kentucky, plant,” said Kody Chapman, Berry’s Fulton County plant director. “This expansion is a testament to the employees here in Fulton. Their work ethic coupled with high technical aptitude has made expanding at this site possible. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Fulton community and are proud to contribute to its economic vitality.”

Letica Corp. and Berry Global are committed to their workers and the local community, supporting local food trucks for events and company meals, providing clothing, household items and canned food during the Mayfield tornado relief efforts and donating to Fulton County’s annual Banana Festival.

Berry Global Inc. is a global leader in innovative packaging solutions with over 240 locations worldwide and more than 40,000 employees. Through its subsidiary, Letica Corp., Berry has been operating in Fulton County since 2019, where the facility manufactures plastic containers with corresponding handles and lids for customers in the food, commercial and industrial manufacturing industries. The company is committed to creating a positive environmental impact through streamlined operations, continuously engaged partners and optimized, eco-friendly products.

Fulton County Judge/Executive Jim Martin is excited to see the company expand its local operation: “The Fulton County Fiscal Court is very appreciative of the assistance the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development provided for Berry Global’s expansion in Fulton County. Berry is a great asset to our community, and we are very happy to see them expand their business here. We are committed to assisting the state and Berry Global in all endeavors here in Fulton County. Thank you for making Fulton County a better place!”

Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn highlighted the positive economic impact the project will have on the community: “This investment by Berry Global and Letica in the city of Fulton is vital for our community’s prosperity. It not only safeguards existing jobs but also paves the way for new opportunities, boosting our local economy and strengthening the fabric of our community. This investment signifies a shared commitment to building a thriving community, that is sustainable in the city of Fulton and the surrounding region.”

Mark Welch, president of the Fulton-Hickman Counties Economic Development Partnership, noted the important role the company has played in the local community: “Letica and Berry Global have, for many years, been an important industrial partner with the city of Fulton and Fulton County. This expansion project is another indicator that Fulton is open for business and growing!”

Letica and Berry’s investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,100 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $35 billion in announced investments, creating more than 59,800 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $14 billion more than the next highest total.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.

Last March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a Supply Kentucky initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies. And in November, the Governor announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $405,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $27.8 million and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 15 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $27.48, including benefits, across those jobs.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, Letica Corp. can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

For more information on Letica Corp. and Berry Global, visit berryglobal.com.

A detailed community profile for Fulton County can be viewed here.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.