U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. plans to create 200 new jobs in Christian County

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. plans to build a new facility in Hopkinsville.

Officials say the facility is expected to bring over 200 new jobs once it is operational.

According to the governor’s office, the project is pending approval of proposed state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority.

“Today’s announcement is a great reminder that the commonwealth is open and ready for companies from all over to further establish their New Kentucky Home,” Beshear said. “This project is bringing great new job opportunities for Kentuckians in Hopkinsville and the surrounding region to provide for themselves and their families. This investment further strengthens the importance of the existing Hopkinsville operation, which currently employs 165 individuals. I want to thank the leaders of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. for their ongoing commitment to our great state and look forward to even more success for this company here in the commonwealth.”

Officials say the project would include a new facility to expand the company’s current presence on Weymann’s Way, as well as new manufacturing machinery and equipment.

The company’s brands, Copenhagen and Skoal, are the company’s leading premium brands, according to Beshear’s office. USSTC’s other brands include Red Seal and Husky. USSTC is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and has manufacturing facilities in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee and Richmond, Virginia.

USSTC’s Hopkinsville facility includes a tobacco leaf processing plant and a dry flour plant.

News 40 will provide additional updates as they are made available.