Company intends to consolidate operations in new Hopkinsville facility
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 21, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC), an Altria Group company and one of the leading producers and marketers of moist smokeless tobacco, plans to build a new facility in Hopkinsville, where it would create over 200 new Kentucky jobs once operational.
USSTC looked at multiple options for this new manufacturing facility, and after meeting with Gov. Beshear, has chosen Kentucky. The project, which is pending approval of proposed state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, would approximately double USSTC’s workforce in Kentucky.
“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,” said Gov. Beshear. “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.”
The project would involve the development of a modern, flexible and cost-effective manufacturing facility. This project would include a new facility to expand USSTC’s current presence on Weyman’s Way, as well as new manufacturing machinery and equipment.
“Our decision to locate this new facility in Kentucky underscores the important role the commonwealth plays in our company’s history, our business today and in our vision for tomorrow,” said Michael Brace, president and CEO of USSTC. “This new facility will enhance our manufacturing capabilities, improve operational efficiency and support the continued production of the iconic brands adult smokeless tobacco consumers know and trust. We’re grateful to the commonwealth of Kentucky and local leaders for their partnership, and we look forward to building on our deep roots in this community for years to come.”
USSTC is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco. The company’s brands, Copenhagen and Skoal, are the company’s leading premium brands. 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.
USSTC is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Altria. Altria is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MO). Altria’s subsidiaries include Philip Morris USA Inc., John Middleton Co., UST LLC, Helix Innovations LLC and its foreign affiliates and NJOY LLC. Other wholly owned subsidiaries include Altria Group Distribution Co., which provides domestic sales and distribution services to its operating companies, and Altria Client Services LLC, which provides various support services to companies in areas such as legal, regulatory, research and product development, consumer engagement, finance, human resources and external affairs. Altria acquired USSTC in January 2009.
Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam thanked the company for the potential investment and job creation: “On behalf of the residents of Christian County, I want to thank U.S. Smokeless Tobacco’s leadership for their continued investment in Christian County and Southwestern Kentucky. We appreciate the company’s plan to create 200 jobs. Equally important, we are thankful U.S. Tobacco continues to be an exceptional corporate partner making our region a better place with their investments and charitable contributions and continued leader in agriculture manufacturing and processing.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight showed the city’s support for the project: “U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. is one of our strongest manufacturers and a leader in agriculture manufacturing. We are thrilled to support their continued growth at Hopkinsville’s South Park and appreciate the continued confidence of the company’s leadership as they make another significant investment in our community and our people. We pledge the city of Hopkinsville’s full support as the company moves forward.”
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, thanked the parties that are working toward making the project possible: “U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.’s continued growth is a testimony to an awesome company with strong leadership continuing to be supported by its local, regional and state partners. We thank Gov. Andy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, TVA, city and county government and our utility, workforce and education partners for their continued commitment to U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and manufacturers in our region. We look forward to supporting the company’s planned expansion and their ongoing operational needs.”
USSTC’s potential investment and job creation furthers what has been the best six-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $50 billion in announced investments, creating more than 70,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $29 billion more than the next highest total.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County, among others.
In February, the Governor announced Kentucky once again set an all-time record for products shipped globally, with $50.6 billion in exports in 2025, representing a 5.65% increase over 2024.
Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between December 2024 and December 2025.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent and increase tourism across the state.
For more information on USSTC, visit USSmokeless.com.
For more information on Altria, visit Altria.com.
A detailed community profile for Christian County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.
###