Astemo Americas announced a $112 million expansion of its manufacturing operations in Madison County, creating 114 new jobs and significantly boosting Kentucky's electric vehicle industry. The investment will increase production capacity of hybrid electric-vehicle motors at the company's two facilities in Berea.

The expansion represents the first phase of a multi-year project that could ultimately reach $379 million in total investment and create as many as 282 jobs across Astemo's Kentucky operations. State officials said if the full expansion is completed as envisioned, it would represent the largest private-sector investment in Madison County in the past 20 years.

The project will add nearly 300,000 square feet of production and warehouse space across Astemo's Berea plants on Mayde Road, along with facility upgrades and new manufacturing equipment. The company's Berea operations currently produce chassis and electric powertrain components, while its Harrodsburg facility manufactures electric-powertrain and engine-management systems.

Governor Andy Beshear praised the investment as evidence of Kentucky's leading position in advanced manufacturing and EV production. "The expansion will create 114 new job opportunities for Kentucky workers and their families," Beshear said in a statement.

Astemo Americas established its first Kentucky plant in Harrodsburg in 1985 and has since expanded to three facilities across the state. Tim Clark, president and CEO of Astemo Americas, said Kentucky has been "a cornerstone of our U.S. operations" for over four decades. "We are grateful to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for its continued support as we expand our operations in Berea to provide our U.S. customers with cutting-edge EV motors," Clark said.

Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley called the expansion significant for the region. "This expansion will have a generational impact on our community and the region as quality career opportunities are created to facilitate additional production of advanced automotive components," Fraley said. Astemo Americas operates 12 manufacturing sites across the United States and maintains one of the largest automotive supplier operations in the state.