Company is creating eight in-person, full-time jobs and four remote positions

FRANKFORT, Ky – On Feb 1st, Governor Andy Beshear announced continued growth for Kentucky’s manufacturing sector with Water Solutions Unlimited Inc.’s (WSU) new location in Grayson County, a $3 million investment that is creating eight on-site, full-time Kentucky jobs and four remote positions.   

“I want to thank the leaders at Water Solutions Unlimited for this commitment to the commonwealth and the Grayson County community,” Gov. Beshear said. “Kentucky’s manufacturing sector continues to grow, and it is great to see WSU be a part of that momentum. Together, we can build a better Kentucky where your kids and mine will have every opportunity right here.”

Company leaders will construct a new facility in Leitchfield that will increase the capacity to blend and manufacture chemicals needed to combat dirty water and corrosion. The company also sells phosphates and other chemicals that improve water quality.

“We are so excited to get down to Leitchfield and work with the community,” said WSU President Mike Ricks. “WSU primarily works with cities to provide phosphates for drinking and wastewater, and we’re excited to be servicing Kentucky.” 

WSU was founded in 1987 around blended phosphates and became known for its knowledge in helping municipalities meet lead and copper standards. In the 1990s, WSU started blending its own phosphates. In the early 2000s, the company began helping municipalities with EPA-mandated Disinfection by Products limits. This eventually led to WSU selling specialty products from other manufacturers.

The new location adds to Kentucky’s thriving manufacturing sector, which includes more than 5,000 facilities and employs over 250,000 people statewide. Administration-to-date, more than 550 new location and expansion projects within the industry are expected to create nearly 26,000 full-time jobs with over $18.6 billion in new investments.

Grayson County Judge/Executive Kevin Henderson welcomed WSU to the community.

“It is with great pleasure to welcome a company like Water Solutions Unlimited to Grayson County, Kentucky,” said Judge Henderson.?“As Judge/Executive and on behalf of the Grayson County Fiscal Court, we would like to welcome WSU and we are looking forward to working with them in the future.”

Leitchfield Mayor Harold Miller commented on the job growth for the area.

“The City of Leitchfield is excited to have Water Solutions Unlimited locating a new facility in our community,” said Mayor Miller. “This facility will provide additional jobs and growth for our community.?The city is excited to help in this endeavor.”

Grayson County Industrial Foundation President William Thomason spoke on WSU being an asset.

“It is a tremendous honor to welcome an experienced company like Water Solutions Unlimited to our community,” said Thomason. “The Grayson County Industrial Foundation would like to take this opportunity to welcome WSU and we are confident that they will be a proven asset to Leitchfield and Grayson County.”

WSU’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced the creation of 43,000 full-time jobs and 823 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling $24.4 billion in announced investments.

With the books closed on 2022, the Governor has now secured the best two-year period in state history for economic growth. 

In 2021, the commonwealth shattered every economic development record in the books. Private-sector new-location and expansion announcements included a record $11.2 billion in total planned investment and commitments to create a record 18,000-plus full-time jobs across the coming years.

That momentum continued strongly into 2022 with 248 new-location and expansion announcements totaling 16,000 full-time jobs behind nearly $10.5 billion in new investment.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 was $26.78 before benefits, the second-highest mark since 2010 and an 11.5% increase over the previous year.

Gov. Beshear also announced the two largest economic development projects in state history. In September 2021, Gov. Beshear and leaders from Ford Motor Co. and SK Innovation celebrated a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs in Hardin County. And in April 2022, the Governor was joined by leadership at Envision AESC to announce a $2 billion investment that will create 2,000 jobs in Warren County. These announcements solidify Kentucky as the EV battery production capital of the United States.

Kentucky’s success has been noted by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, which have upgraded the state’s financial outlook to positive in recognition of the commonwealth’s surging economy. In addition, Site Selection magazine placed Kentucky at 6th in its annual Prosperity Cup rankings for 2022, which recognizes state-level economic success based on capital investments.

Gov. Beshear’s administration is projected to post the four highest years of budget surpluses in Kentucky history, and the state’s rainy day fund has a record balance of $2.7 billion.

On Thursday, KEDFA approved WSU for up to $50,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) based on the company’s investment of $3 million. KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing. 

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments. 

In addition, WSU can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives. 

For more information on Water Solutions Unlimited, visit GetWSU.com.  

A detailed community profile for Grayson 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. 

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at?governor.ky.gov,?kycovid19.ky.gov?and the Governor’s official social media accounts?Facebook,?Twitter?and?YouTube.