Gov. Beshear: AKFA Aluminum Solutions To Establish New Manufacturing Operation in Bowling Green, Creating 331 Quality Jobs

Announcement marks the first project launch for an Uzbekistani manufacturer in the United States

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2025) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted a historic milestone for the state's manufacturing industry, as AKFA Aluminum Solutions, a division of Uzbekistan's AKFA Group, announced plans to become the first Uzbekistani company to establish a manufacturing operation in the United States, making a significant investment to locate a new facility in Bowling Green, creating 331 Kentucky jobs.

"Kentucky's historic economic momentum has been fueled by our incredible workforce and our ability to attract companies from across the globe," said Gov. Beshear. "This announcement from AKFA Aluminum Solutions introduces a new international partner to the commonwealth and is an important step for U.S. and Uzbekistan trade relations. Even better, it also creates 331 jobs for Kentuckians. I want to thank the company's leadership for believing in Kentucky for their first U.S. operation and look forward to their future success."

The company's new facility will serve as a full-cycle production hub, featuring advanced extrusion, anodizing and finishing capabilities aligned with U.S. energy and environmental standards. AKFA's first U.S. operation will integrate recycled aluminum billets and energy-efficient systems to support a low-carbon supply chain - reinforcing the region's growing reputation in sustainable, advanced manufacturing.

"This is more than a facility - it is a bridge between two nations," said Ilhom Abiev, representative of AKFA Aluminum Solutions US LLC. "We chose Kentucky because it offers everything we value - strategic location, skilled talent and a forward-looking community that believes in innovation. This investment represents not only growth for our company, but a relationship built on trust, technology and shared opportunity. It is also important to highlight the role of highly qualified professionals, including Mirolim Mirmukhsinov, sales representative; Shakhzod Saidov, business development manager; Denis Ermalaev, technical director; and Sanjar Sayidov, production manager, whose expertise has strengthened our project team in meeting strategic targets."

AKFA Aluminum Solutions U.S. LLC operates the aluminum division of AKFA Group, one of Central Asia's largest industrial companies with more than 8,000 employees across 20 facilities. AKFA Group produces up to 100,000 tons of product annually, supplying materials for global markets including construction, transportation and renewable energy.

Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman outlined the positive impact the investment will have on the region: "This project reflects the power of collaboration and a shared vision for the future. With AKFA, we're not just adding jobs - we're building new connections across continents and proving that Southcentral Kentucky is ready to compete and win in the global economy."

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott highlighted the city's ability to attract international companies: "AKFA's decision to locate in Bowling Green sends a powerful message about who we are as a community. We're a city that welcomes global innovators; values hard work and builds the partnerships that make world-class projects possible."

President and CEO of Warren RECC Dewayne McDonald looks forward to partnering with the company: "We are excited to welcome AKFA Aluminum Solutions to the Kentucky Transpark. We look forward to working with them as they ramp up operations in the coming months. We know they will be a valuable addition to our growing industrial community."

Heidi Smith, vice president of Economic Development at Tennessee Valley Authority, noted the collaboration that made this project possible: "Working in partnership with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Warren RECC is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering economic growth in the region. AKFA's establishment here not only represents impactful investment but also the creation of new job opportunities for our community. TVA is proud to support companies that contribute to the prosperity and vibrancy of our region."

Meredith Rozanski, interim president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, is excited to see this project propel Kentucky forward as a global manufacturing hub: "AKFA's investment is transformational - not just for Bowling Green, but for Kentucky's position on the global manufacturing map. This project represents forward-thinking and high-impact investment that aligns with our strategy: global innovation, advanced manufacturing and quality jobs for our residents."

AKFA Aluminum Solutions' investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $45 billion in announced investments, creating more than 67,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth's history and $20 billion more than the next highest total.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three 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; Ford Motor Co.'s $2 billion commitment in Louisville; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing's $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.

The Governor's administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service.

Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor's Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) last week preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $5.6 million in tax incentives based on the company's investment of $80 million and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 331 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $27.03, including benefits, across those jobs.

Additionally, KEDFA approved AKFA for up to $500,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). 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, AKFA 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 AKFA Aluminum Solutions and AKFA Group, visit akfagroup.com.

A detailed community profile for Warren County can be viewed here.

Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.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.