Gov. Beshear Joins Stellar Snacks To Cut Ribbon on Largest Economic Development Project in West Louisville in Over 20 Years

$137 million investment announced in October 2023 will create 350 jobs over 10 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2024) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined state and local officials and leaders from pretzel manufacturer Stellar Snacks to cut the ribbon on the company's newest operation, a $137 million investment set to create 350 full-time Kentucky jobs over the next 10 years in West Louisville, the single largest economic development project the state has on record for the community over the past 20 years.

"Today's ribbon-cutting event marks an incredible moment for Kentucky and the West Louisville community as we celebrate the next step for Stellar Snacks here in the commonwealth," said Gov. Beshear. "This project marks the largest investment and job-creation project in this community in decades, and Stellar Snacks is already filling positions at this new facility. Stellar Snacks is a perfect fit for this community and the commonwealth, and I cannot wait to see the company's next steps as they continue to grow here in Kentucky."

Stellar Snacks, founded in 2019 by mother-daughter duo Elisabeth and Gina Galvin, is the first woman-owned pretzel manufacturer in the United States. The investment is establishing the company's newest and largest industrial pretzel bakery in Louisville in an existing 434,000-square-foot building at 1391 Dixie Highway. Jobs created at the Louisville operation consist of pretzel-makers - including both master pretzel-maker and apprentice roles - as well as production team members, supervisors, engineers, maintenance leads, welders, mechanics, technicians and human resources administrators. In 2025, the company will expand its commitment to career development through partnerships with local community colleges and trade schools, providing real-world work experience and positions for students pursuing careers in industrial, electrical and robotic engineering.

The company has already hired and commenced full-time employment of at least 53 employees for the facility, completing the hiring process for roles available at this time. Additional hiring information, including details on upcoming job fairs and available positions, will be available at StellarSnacks.com/Louisville.

"From the very beginning, we made a conscious decision to invest in the talent that exists right here in Louisville," said Elisabeth Galvin, founder of Stellar Snacks. "We're proud that nearly half of our new team members currently live in Louisville's West End, where we operate, and some can even walk to work. With every milestone, we are committed to ensuring that our growth benefits the neighborhood and its residents, and we're excited to continue this journey together."

"Our plan is to scale our operations and team sustainably, always keeping our core values at the heart of our growth," said Gina Galvin, marketing and advocacy director of Stellar Snacks. "Hiring locally, especially from West Louisville, is not only part of our commitment to the community but a vital element of how we plan to grow together, prosper together and create meaningful opportunities for our neighbors."

Stellar Snacks currently operates its original 101,000-square-foot facility in Carson City, Nevada, where it employs more than 170 people. Stellar Snacks is certified woman-owned by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC). It distributes products to more than 5,000 grocery and retail stores nationwide with products also sold online and offered during in-flight snack service on Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Emirates. Stellar Snacks products include their signature Stellar Pretzel Braids, which come in five gourmet flavors: Simply Stellar, Maui Monk, Bold & Herby, Sweet & Sparky and French Dijon. The company is also launching a new gluten-free superfood line, Stellar Pretzel Thins, in Louisville Kroger stores this week.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg noted the positive impact of the project on the community: "Stellar Snacks' decision to invest in West Louisville and create quality jobs for local residents is a testament to their commitment to building and growing in our community. This project is crucial, bringing much-needed job opportunities to a traditionally underserved area of our city. We are excited to see the positive impact this investment will have on our city and our residents."

LG&E and KU President John R. Crockett III highlighted the beneficial partnership working with the company and the economic impact the project will have on the community: "We're proud to have played our part as the energy provider in the successful launch of Stellar Snacks here in West Louisville, which will have a dramatic, positive impact on the economy of this entire area. With this new, first-class manufacturing facility, Stellar Snacks had specific energy needs and timelines, and we're glad we could meet those needs safely and reliably."

Leaders at Stellar Snacks have emphasized their dedication to community involvement, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and advocacy, including supporting emerging artists from around the world to design artwork for the company's packaging. For its next flavor launch, anticipated by year's end, Stellar has collaborated with celebrated Louisville artist Jaylin Monet Stewart to design artwork for the packaging, showcasing local talent and reflecting the spirit of the community.

Stellar Snacks' investment and job creation builds on recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $34 billion in announced investments, creating roughly 57,500 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; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing's $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and INFAC North America's $53 million investment in Taylor County; among others.

The Governor's administration 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 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 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. And this month, the Governor announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, an initiative to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.

For more information on Stellar Snacks, visit StellarSnacks.com/louisville.

A detailed community profile for Jefferson 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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