Harbor Steel & Supply Corp. broke ground on a new $8M facility in Warren County, Kentucky creating 25 quality jobs for Kentuckians. Harbor Steel & Supply Corporation is a distributor and manufacturer of fabricated products for the steel and aluminum industries.
“I want to thank the leaders at Harbor Steel for locating their second facility in the commonwealth and growing the company’s commitment to our incredible workforce,” Gov. Beshear said. “The people of Bowling Green and the surrounding region stand to benefit from this investment, and I look forward to seeing this project grow in the months and years ahead.”
Today, Harbor Steel broke ground on a 50,000-square-foot facility in the Kentucky Transpark. In addition to the initial investment, the operation provides opportunity for potential future expansion and job creation. The company’s investment includes acquisition of laser machines, press brakes for forming, automated saws and other equipment. Work on the project is expected to be completed by Q3 2023.
Harbor Steel currently has a location in Lexington, where it opened in 1991 and employs 60 Kentuckians. The Bowling Green facility will support overflow from the Lexington operation and support growth of the company’s customer base and service area.
“The State of Kentucky and Harbor Steel has had such a great relationship over the years. It was only natural to open another location within the commonwealth,” said Michael Weis, president of Harbor Steel. “We are extremely excited to open our new Bowling Green location, and we look forward to supporting the diverse customer base in the area. The region has so much to offer, and we are happy to be a part of the momentum in bringing great jobs to the area.”
Muskegon, Michigan-based Harbor Steel was founded in 1952. The company distributes and manufactures fabricated steel products and specializes in processed sheet and plate for a variety of markets. Harbor Steel’s services include sheet and tube laser cutting, plasma cutting, flame cutting, saw cutting, forming and machining of hot-rolled and cold-rolled aluminum and stainless steel. Aside from its Kentucky presence, the company operates in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
The new Harbor Steel location adds to the state’s 230-plus metals-related facilities that employ approximately 25,000 Kentuckians. In 2021 alone, Kentucky’s metals industry has spurred approximately $920 million in planned investment and roughly 1,600 expected new jobs for Kentucky residents.
Warren County Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon thanked the company for its commitment.
“Warren County is a great place to do business and Harbor Steel & Supply is one more shining example of our strong business community,” said Judge Buchanon. “We are grateful for their confidence and investment in our community, and we are looking forward to watching them grow for years to come.”
Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott said he anticipates the company will grow in the years to come.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the ground-breaking of Harbor Steel’s exciting new facility today,” said Mayor Alcott. “Their new project plays an integral part in maintaining South Central Kentucky as a vibrant manufacturing hub, and we look forward to seeing them grow and prosper in the region.”
Ron Bunch, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the qualities that have made the company successful.
“Harbor Steel’s emphasis on quality control, on-time delivery and total customer service has driven their company’s success,” said Bunch. “We are honored to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new facility here in Bowling Green and look forward to their future in our community.”
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley congratulated the company on its growth in the commonwealth.
“TVA and Warren RECC are proud to partner with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce to support companies like Harbor Steel, committed to creating jobs and investment in the region,” Bradley said. “We congratulate Harbor Steel on the ground-breaking and look forward to its future business success in the Valley.”
Harbor Steel’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.
For more information on Harbor Steel, visit HarborSteel.com.
A detailed community profile for Warren 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.
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitterand YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Crystal Staley
502-545-3714
Brandon Mattingly
502-782-2006
