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Press Releases
December 12, 2005
Key Oil is Industry of the
Year
Attendance
at banquet mirrors economic development growth
Attendance at the Franklin-Simpson
Industrial Appreciation Banquet has reflected the growth in the
community.
Seven years ago, only 70 showed up for the first banquet. On
Wednesday, about 300 watched as Key Oil Company was named the 2005
Industry of the Year.
Several other proposed projects were recognized, ranging from the
world’s largest recreational vehicle showroom/park to a James Monroe
Music Hall and Museum.
When all of the economic development projects that were announced in
2005 are completed, they will create 1,100 new jobs and represent a
total investment of $100 million in the Franklin-Simpson community,
according to John Raines, chairman of the F-S Industrial Authority.
Key Oil Co. is expanding in the Wilkey North Industrial Park.
“It’s incredible to see all of this expansion in a town our size,”
said Dennis Griffin, a consultant with the F-S Industrial Authority.
“It’s unheard of.”
Raines said Simpson County is now the 16th largest industrial
community out of the 120 counties in Kentucky “despite our small
population and small geographic area.” He noted that for the first
time in the county’s history, the civilian labor force has climbed
above 9,000. Raines said five new subdivisions are being developed.
“When I look at the success of Simpson County, I think one key
ingredient is that everyone pulls together as a team for our area,”
Raines said.
Raines said it was a good time to live in Simpson County because of
the economic development as well as major improvements to the
schools, hospital and downtown area and the anticipated addition of
a technical college. Dr. Nathan Hodges, the president of the Bowling
Green Technical College, gave an update on the technical school,
which will be located in the Sanders East Industrial Park.
“It (technical school) is important to our industry, and it is vital
to our students and workers if we are going to continue to compete
for jobs in this global economy,” Raines said.
Key Oil Co. joined Quebecor, Tyco Adhesives, Franklin Precision
Industry, Outokumpu Copper, Sygen/PIC and Silgan Plastics as
Industries of the Year.
Key Oil will build a 36,000-square-foot distribution facility and a
7,500-square-foot corporate office on 25 acres in the north
industrial park. Ground breaking is planned in December. The
company, which is now located at the Exit 2 interchange off I-65,
has 60 local employees and hopes to add more when its new building
is completed.
Franklin resident Lester Key started the business in 1961 and moved
it to Franklin in 1965. Key Oil is a distributor of motor fuels,
lubricants and industrial chemicals.
In fact, Key Oil is the largest distributor of motor fuels for the
Marathon Oil Company, selling more than 300 million gallons of motor
fuels and 15 million gallons of industrial and automotive lubricants
each year. It consistently ranks among the top five nationally in
Exxon-Mobile’s Pegasus Circle of Excellence based on volume, growth
and quality of service and management.
Key Oil is one of five divisions of Keystops, LLC., which generated
$435 million in revenue in the six states that it serves this year.
Rex Hazelip, the president of Key Oil Co., accepted the award from
state Sen. Richie Sanders.
In addition to Key Oil Company, new and expanding industries and
businesses that were recognized at the banquet included:
•Camping World – the world’s largest retailer of recreation vehicle
accessories, supplies and services – is locating its east coast
distribution center in a 250,000-square-foot building in the east
industrial park. A total of 95 are employed at the Franklin
operation now. Camping World has nearly 40 retail locations
throughout the United States and continues to add more.
•Chemway, Inc. relocated its operation from Madison, Tenn., to an
existing 30,000-square-foot building in east Franklin in April.
Chemway repackages chemical pre-weights and cure blends for rubber,
plastic and tape manufacturers. The company, which has 12 employees
but expects to add at least eight more soon, also distributes raw
materials to industries.
•Franklin Precision Industry announced in July that it would expand
for the fourth time in 14 years. The new 50,000-square-foot addition
will give FPI 210,000 square feet of space under roof. At least 30
jobs will be created by the expansion. FPI – which now employs 500,
making it the third largest employer in Franklin – manufactures
throttle bodies, evaporative canisters and fuel pump modules for the
automotive industry.
•Camping World founder and board member David Garvin announced this
year that he will build one of the largest economic development
projects in Kentucky in Franklin off Ky. 100 east near I-65. The $53
million development will feature the world’s largest recreational
vehicle showroom plus an IMAX theatre, travel museum and service
center for recreational vehicle owners. Garvin has acquired nearly
300 acres for his project, which will include a showroom for RV
manufacturers, accessory makers and dealers. As many as 830 jobs
could be created by Garvin’s, which is expected to open to 2007.
“Garvin’s will become one of the largest tourist attractions in the
state of Kentucky. This project will have an impact not only on the
Franklin and Simpson County area but the entire midsouth region,”
presenter Rob Wilkey, a state representative, said.
•The James Monroe Music Hall and Campground is under construction on
U.S. 31-W south near the I-65 interchange. Live shows – featuring
bluegrass, country and old-time musicians – will be held on the
weekends. The 700-seat music hall and campground is slated to open
next year. James Monroe – the son of the legendary Bill Monroe, the
father of bluegrass music – is the developer. Monroe and his band,
The Midnight Ramblers, also will perform.
•New Mather Metals, which opened in Franklin in 2001, plans to add
two production lines and 100 jobs in a new 200,000-square-foot plant
located adjacent to its current facility in the Sanders East
Industrial Park. It represents a $27 million investment. By the end
of 2005, New Mather Metals expects to employ 210 people. The company
manufactures stabilizer bars for the automotive industry.
•NoviTec Industries, Inc. – which does
computer-controlled machining for the automotive, aerospace and
telecommunication fields – announced in the first quarter that it
would double in size by building a new 27,000-square-foot plant in
the Wilkey North Industrial Park. The expansion could increase
NoviTec’s workforce from the current 50 to about 80.
•Red Rock Partners, a local company owned by Brad and Kent Kelley,
was recognized for acquiring 20 more acres in the Sanders East
Industrial Park and building a 200,000-square-foot “spec building.”
There has already been interest shown in the new building from
manufacturing and distribution companies. Red Rock Partners put up a
250,000-square-foot “spec building” in 2003, and it became the east
coast distribution center for Camping World.
•Two new service industries were honored. The first Speedco in
Kentucky is under construction off Ky. 100 east at the site of the
former Loretta Lynn’s restaurant. The Indiana-based Speedco will
provide oil and tire changes for the trucking industry and employ up
to 30. Taylor’s Concrete Cutting Service moved from Edmonson County
and located in the former Blitz Builders building on Ky. 1008.
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