Manufacturer with 300 employees expanding operations in Harrison County
CYNTHIANA, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leadership from Commercial Specialty Truck Holdings (CSTH) to celebrate the groundbreaking of the company’s new manufacturing facility in Cynthiana, a $28 million project that will help the company meet increased consumer and industry demand, adding to the state’s growing manufacturing industry.
“Kentucky’s robust manufacturing sector continues to grow even stronger, adding fuel to the entire commonwealth’s red-hot economy,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am excited to join the Cynthiana community in celebrating this exciting new investment from CSTH. We look forward to the company’s continued success here in Harrison County.”
The $28 million project will see CSTH locate in a new state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot building that’s already under construction. The company has outgrown the existing manufacturing operation as consumer and industry demand has increased.
“We have been proud to call Cynthiana home for the past ten years,” said Frank Busicchia, CEO of CSTH. “Kentucky and the economic development opportunities have been a large part of our success. We have added over 300 new jobs since we started and will continue to expand in the future.”
CSTH is based in Cynthiana, Kentucky. As the parent company of Continental Mixers, E-Z Pack Trucks, One Source Parts and Dynamic Towing and Manufacturing, CSTH is a leading producer of truck bodies and related aftermarket parts. CSTH manufactures products to perform at the highest levels for the challenging operator environments of the ready-mix concrete and refuse industries. The company serves the specialized needs of concrete and refuse fleet operators across North America.
Harrison County Judge/Executive Jason Marshall is excited for the continued partnership between the company and community: “The seeds we plant today with CSTH will yield a harvest of prosperity, growth and opportunity for generations to come. Let us break ground with enthusiasm, build with purpose and cultivate a brighter future for Harrison County and Cynthiana.”
Cynthiana Mayor James Smith looks forward to the continued investment in the community from the company: “Cynthiana is excited to have watched the explosive growth that CSTH has had over the last decade. We’ve grown together and we’re even more excited to see how this investment continues to transform the lives of those who work here and this community that they call home.”
Garnett Furnish, executive director of Cynthiana-Harrison County Economic Development Authority, noted the company’s manufacturing presence in the commonwealth: “It has been my pleasure to work with CSTH, their owners and staff and the local powers to allow this 300-employee manufacturer to remain in Cynthiana-Harrison County. The company will help Cynthiana-Harrison County continue to grow and be a leading manufacturer in the great state of Kentucky.”
CSTH’s investment and job creation build on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling $32 billion in announced investments, creating nearly 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.
For more information on Commercial Specialty Truck Holdings, visit onesourceparts.com.
A detailed community profile for Harrison County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.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.
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