New state-of-the-art paint shop adds to billions of dollars in recent Ford investments across Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (September 11, 2026) — Ford Motor Co. is reinforcing its long-term commitment to Kentucky with a new $1 billion investment at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, where the automaker plans to construct a state-of-the-art paint facility and further modernize its largest U.S. manufacturing operation.
Ford plans to break ground on the new paint shop by the end of 2026. The facility will replace the plant’s existing paint operation and represents the latest major capital investment by Ford across the commonwealth.
The announcement follows approximately $2 billion in investment at the Louisville Assembly Plant and another $2 billion investment in Ford Energy Systems in Glendale, strengthening Kentucky’s position as a major center for automotive, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle and energy-storage production.
“From our past to our present and our future, Ford is a central part of Kentucky’s story, which continues to show the world that American manufacturing remains strong,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Today’s announcement highlights Ford’s longstanding commitment to our state and to our workforce.”
Kentucky Truck Plant Receives $1 Billion Upgrade
Located in Louisville, the Kentucky Truck Plant is Ford’s largest and most profitable manufacturing facility in the United States.
The operation is one of the company’s most important production centers, with a vehicle rolling off the assembly line approximately every 45 seconds.
The new paint shop is expected to improve the plant’s manufacturing capabilities while supporting Ford’s broader strategy to modernize its domestic production network.
“For more than a century, Ford and Kentucky have grown together, and we’re investing to ensure that relationship remains strong for generations to come,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said.
Farley said the company’s Kentucky investments demonstrate Ford’s confidence in the state’s workforce as well as its commitment to expanding American manufacturing.
Ford’s Kentucky Manufacturing Presence Continues to Expand
Ford’s history in Kentucky dates to 1913, when the first Model T rolled off a Louisville production line.
Today, the company employs more than 11,500 people in Kentucky, while more than 6,000 Ford retirees also call the commonwealth home.
The latest $1 billion Kentucky Truck Plant project comes amid several major Ford investments that are reshaping the company’s manufacturing footprint across the state.
At the Louisville Assembly Plant, Ford is investing approximately $2 billion to transform the operation into the future home of the company’s Universal EV Platform.
The project includes installation of Ford’s new Universal EV Production System and is expected to support production of the Ford Fathom, a midsize electric pickup truck scheduled to launch in 2027.
The Louisville Assembly Plant investment is projected to create approximately 2,200 jobs while transforming the facility into one of Ford’s most advanced and flexible electric vehicle manufacturing operations.
“Louisville is America’s home for advanced manufacturing, and Ford just announced that it’s not just staying in Louisville, it’s going all in,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
Greenberg described the latest investment as a vote of confidence in Louisville’s workforce and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
Ford Energy Investment Targets Battery Storage Manufacturing
Ford is also investing approximately $2 billion in Ford Energy Systems in Glendale, where the company plans to convert a former battery manufacturing facility into a large-scale producer of battery energy storage systems.
The Hardin County project is expected to create at least 2,100 jobs.
Ford anticipates establishing annual production capacity of at least 20 gigawatt-hours of energy storage, with production expected to begin in late 2027.
Together, Ford’s investments in Louisville and Glendale represent billions of dollars in new automotive, electric vehicle and energy manufacturing activity across Kentucky.
Kentucky Strengthens Automotive and Battery Manufacturing Sector
Ford’s latest project adds to a wave of major investments that have strengthened Kentucky’s position in automotive manufacturing and battery production.
Among the state’s largest projects is AESC’s approximately $2 billion gigafactory investment in Warren County, which is expected to create 2,000 jobs.
Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing is investing approximately $712 million in Shelby County, creating an estimated 1,572 jobs.
Toyota has also announced approximately $1.3 billion in investment in Scott County.
Kentucky officials have increasingly positioned the commonwealth as a major U.S. hub for automotive manufacturing, batteries, electric vehicles and advanced energy technologies.
Kentucky Economic Development Investment Surpasses $54 Billion
Since the beginning of the Beshear administration, Kentucky has announced nearly 1,400 private-sector new-location and expansion projects, representing more than $54 billion in announced investment and approximately 71,000 jobs.
The state also reported a record $51.6 billion in exports during 2025, an increase of 7.65% from the previous year.
Kentucky’s manufacturing sector continues to play a central role in that growth, supported by the state’s automotive supply chain, logistics infrastructure and skilled manufacturing workforce.
In June, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved an amendment to Ford’s existing Kentucky Jobs Retention Act agreement.
The performance-based agreement can provide up to $578 million in cumulative tax incentives, based on Ford achieving as much as $7.55 billion in cumulative investment across qualifying projects and meeting annual employment targets of up to 12,000 jobs during the agreement.
Ford Builds on More Than a Century in Kentucky
Ford’s newest investment further expands a relationship between the company and Kentucky that has lasted more than 110 years.
From traditional automotive manufacturing to electric vehicles and battery energy storage, Ford’s growing Kentucky operations represent a significant portion of the company’s evolving U.S. manufacturing strategy.
With the new $1 billion paint shop at Kentucky Truck Plant, the transformation of Louisville Assembly Plant and the development of Ford Energy Systems in Glendale, Kentucky is positioned to remain a major production center for Ford well into the future.
