Gov. Andy Beshear announced that U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., an Altria Group subsidiary and a leading producer of moist smokeless tobacco, plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville that will create more than 200 jobs once operational.

The project would approximately double USSTC's workforce in Kentucky, expanding the company's existing presence on Weyman's Way. The Hopkinsville operation currently employs 165 workers. The new facility would include modern manufacturing machinery and equipment designed to modernize operations and improve efficiency by consolidating nearly all processing, production and finishing in Hopkinsville.

The expansion is part of a broader strategy to relocate manufacturing operations from the company's Nashville facility, which is expected to close in early 2028. The Nashville campus currently employs more than 300 people and handles finishing and packaging for the company's Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky brands. Transitioning production from Nashville's 800,000-square-foot plant to Hopkinsville's new 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to reduce fixed costs and generate operational savings.

"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," Beshear said. "This project is bringing great new job opportunities for Kentuckians in Hopkinsville and the surrounding region to provide for themselves and their families."

USSTC considered multiple locations for the expansion before selecting Kentucky, according to state officials. The project is pending approval of proposed state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority. The company receives dark-fired and dark air-cured tobacco from local farmers for processing into smokeless tobacco products.