Governor Steve Beshear today announced the packaging firm, Danafilms Inc., will add a new produce line and invest just over $12 million in its Simpson County plant. The German-owned company will nearly double the size of its Franklin workforce, creating 25 new jobs as a result of the expansion.  (click on photo for larger view)

“Not a day goes by that we don’t see or use a product that Danafilms has been a part of making – from chip bags and frozen food packaging to pet food and lawn care packaging,” Gov. Beshear said. “Kentucky is proud to partner with Danafilms and the Simpson County community to make this multi-million expansion possible. It means more than two dozen new jobs for the citizens of Franklin and a new opportunity for Danafilms to grow its product line. This is a win-win for all.”

Located in Franklin since 2000, Danafilms occupies a 110,000-square-foot facility on a 25-acre site and currently employs 32 people. The plant produces custom films used for packaging of everyday products in industries such as food and beverage, industrial, lawn and garden, pet care, construction and roofing industries and more. The new investments will allow Danafilms to add additional technical characteristics to its films, providing its customers with higher performance films.

“Thanks to the support from all levels of Kentucky government, Danafilms will be able to expand its operations, increase its product offerings and serve new customers,” said Alan Simoncini, general manager of Danafilms.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Danafilms for tax incentives up to $700,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

“Once again, Franklin and Simpson County provide a positive business climate, skilled workforce and supportive community, which Danafilms has appropriately chosen to reward through this expansion,” said Sen. David Givens, of Greensburg. “From their Franklin plant opening in 2000 and throughout their three previous expansions, Danafilms has found all the necessary ingredients in Simpson County. This new investment celebrates their winning business model that commits to meeting customer packaging needs through innovative and cost-effective solutions.”

“We really appreciate Danafilms’ commitment to our community and its decision to move forward with such a sizeable investment,” said Rep. Wilson Stone, of Scottsville. “It shows a lot of faith in our workforce, which has long been our best asset.”

“The Franklin City Commission is delighted to cooperate with the Governor and his Economic Development Cabinet in making this expansion possible,” said Franklin Mayor Ronnie Clark. “Those individuals who are fortunate to benefit from these jobs will certainly be grateful and thankful, as well as the entire community.”

“Danafilms has become an important corporate partner in our community over these last 10 years,” said Simpson County Judge-Executive Jim Henderson. “I am thrilled that they would invest in such a significant expansion right here in Franklin.”

For more information on Danafilms, visit www.danafilms.com .

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com . Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky .

For more information please contact Dennis Griffin at 270-586-4477 or by email at fsindustry@bellsouth.net.