Champion opens 100,000 sq.ft. manufactured home plant in Kentucky
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BENTON, Ky.  – Champion Home Builders Inc., a modular and manufactured housing producer, opened a 100,000 sq.ft. facility, investing $6.3 million and expecting to create 150 jobs. 

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved tax incentives up to $2.25 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows Champion to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments, by meeting job and investment targets. 

Keith Anderson, CEO of Troy, Michigan-based Champion, said the strong craftsmanship skills available in the Benton-area workforce was a chief reason for selecting the location.


“At Champion, we’re driven to produce the highest-quality affordable housing in part because we understand the special feeling our customers have when they first move into their new home,” Anderson said. “This is a day we’ll cherish for years because we’re experiencing that same feeling here today in Benton. The heart and soul of today’s celebration is really about what this new location means for our customers: better access to affordable housing, remarkable Champion value and increased convenience. We’re thrilled for them and look forward to what our collective futures hold.”

Founded in 1953 in Troy, Michigan, Champion specializes in a wide variety of manufactured, modular and park-model homes, as well as modular buildings for the multi-family, hospitality, senior and workforce housing sectors.

Champion started as a single manufacturing facility in rural Michigan and grew to offer factory-built housing and other structures throughout the U.S., United Kingdom and western Canada. The company operates 28 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, and employs more than 4,200 people worldwide.

Champion took over an existing modular home plant and refurbished scaffolding and cranes, as well as added equipment, and now begins production of manufactured, modular and mobile homes for distribution to retailers in Kentucky and other states.
 
Champion can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network, which offers no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.  www.ChampionHomes.com.

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.