National magazine honors Berry Plastics Madisonville for Investment, Community | Business

Trade & Industry Development, a leading magazine dedicated to site selection, has included three Kentucky companies including Berry Plastics of Madisonville, in its 8th Annual CiCi (Corporate Investment & Community Impact) Awards. The projects are among the top 30 economic development projects in 2012 and were selected from hundreds submitted from across the country.

“These awards not only recognize the growth and success of these companies, but they also honor the Commonwealth and our ongoing commitment to economic development,” said Gov. Beshear. “With Berry Plastics in Madisonville, GE in Louisville and Amazon in Winchester, these three distinct regions in Kentucky are showing their ability to earn national and international recognition.”

The CiCi Awards, created in 2006, are a dual-awards program highlighting the largest corporate investments, as well as recognizing projects that may not involve large investments but make the most notable impact on communities. Numerous criteria are considered for the “Impact” division, including new jobs created, current jobs retained, unemployment figures, income level of the region and plant closings.

Berry Plastics Corporation reopened its Madisonville operation in 2012, investing $96 million in the plant and creating more than 400 full-time jobs. Earlier in the year, Berry had shuttered the facility, which had approximately 140 employees, due to a redistribution of production at its other manufacturing facilities. The company has more than 950 current employees in Kentucky at facilities in Franklin, Danville, Louisville and Bowling Green and reconfigured its Madisonville operation to increase the company’s production capacity.

“Berry Plastics’ decision to reopen its Madisonville, Kentucky, facility is a testament of the positive impact that can result by companies working as a team with their local communities,” said Jon Rich, chairman and CEO of Berry Plastics. “We are extremely appreciative of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Hopkins County officials and the city of Madisonville for their joint support, which allowed us to reopen the facility, creating the opportunity for new jobs within the region and specifically the Madisonville community.”

For more on Trade & Industry Development’s CiCi Awards, visit www.tradeandindustrydev.com