SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (April 30, 2012) – Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson today joined company and community officials in Shelbyville to break ground on a 31,000-square-foot expansion for Roll Forming Corporation. The metals products manufacturer plans to add 30 jobs as part of the expansion on its existing 60,000-square-foot facility and make a $6.3 million investment in the Commonwealth.

Governor Beshear applauded the investment by Roll Forming, which first began in Shelbyville with three employees in 1947. The company currently employs 220 people at its Shelby County facility.

“Roll Forming has a long and rich history in Kentucky, and we’re proud of their continued success,” Gov. Beshear said. “The expansion in Shelbyville means jobs for 30 more families and that is reason enough to celebrate today and be hopeful for an even brighter future here in the Commonwealth.”

“With the expansion of Roll Forming in Shelbyville, we see an example of the quality of Kentucky’s workforce and the abundant potential for growth that resides in our state,” Lt. Gov. Abramson said. “We have a number of great assets in Kentucky, including our highway system and a prime location in the country, but our greatest asset is our people, who continue to deliver, helping companies like Roll Forming grow and prosper.”

Headquartered in Shelbyville, Ky., Roll Forming is the North American subsidiary of voestalpine AG, based in Linz , Austria, since 2000. Roll Forming utilizes roll forming metal technology to satisfy a broad range of applications by clients from transportation and construction projects to renewable energy and aerospace. The company’s expansion is due to growth in commercial aviation markets.

"The Aerospace building expansion is just another step in the continual growth of our company,” said Bill Johnson, COO of Roll Forming. “We have a great team that is committed to success and working together and it is through their commitment we are able to make this investment. Roll Forming Corporation is proud to deepen our roots in the community."

To encourage the investment and job growth in Shelbyville, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $400,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

KEDFA also approved Roll Forming for tax benefits up to $57,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing equipment.

“This would be an exciting announcement for Shelbyville any time, but especially during these tough economic times,” said Sen. Paul Hornback, of Shelbyville. “Roll Forming is a quality company, and I’m pleased to hear they are continuing to invest in our community and contribute toward this vital industry. These 30 new jobs will provide new opportunities for our workforce and a boost to our local economy.”

“Shelby County has enjoyed a strong business relationship with Roll Forming Corporation for 65 years,” said Rep. Brad Montell, of Shelbyville. “I’m pleased that Roll Forming is expanding its Shelbyville operations, which will keep their economic roots strong here for many years to come.”

“On behalf of the city of Shelbyville, I want to congratulate Roll Forming on their expansion,” said Shelbyville Mayor Thomas Hardesty. “Roll Forming has a long history in our community. I would like to thank Gov. Beshear for the KBI incentive program that has helped make this expansion possible. I wish Roll Forming continued success and prosperity in Shelby County.”

“For 65 years, Shelby County has been blessed to have a wonderful partner and neighbor in the Roll Forming Corporation,” said Shelby County Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger. “The expansion of the Roll Forming Shelby County facility reinforces this great relationship and how fortunate we are to have CEO Ray Leathers and the men and women of Roll Forming Corporation in our community.”

For more information on Roll Forming, visit www.rfcorp.com.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.

A detailed community profile for Shelbyville (Shelby County) can be viewed at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=051.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2010 totaled more than $2 billion with the creation of nearly 11,900 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training,incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.