Today, U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved a grant totaling $429,312 for the Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority in Corbin, Kentucky. The funding will be used to construct a new access road, as well as new water and sewer lines to support North America Sticks, a new manufacturing plant that will create 90 new jobs and invest at least $15 million into a new facility on site. 

"Without question, job creation is at the top of the priority list in southern and eastern Kentucky, and the first step to business recruitment is ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support business needs. This ARC grant will lay the groundwork for North America Sticks' Corbin facility, so they can hire employees and start production as soon as possible," said Congressman Rogers. "This project works in concert with the mission of SOAR - Shaping Our Appalachian Region - to leverage public-private partnerships to create jobs and promote innovative opportunities in our region. I applaud Governor Matt Bevin for his diligent efforts to recruit the company's first North American facility to be located in Corbin, Kentucky."

North America Sticks is owned and operated by Euro Sticks Group, a French family-owned business that manufactures popsicle sticks and coffee stirring sticks. The facility is scheduled to open January 2017.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority, I would like to thank Gov. Matt Bevin, Congressman Hal Rogers, Sandy Dunahoo at the Kentucky Department for Local Government and the Appalachian Regional Commission for their assistance in obtaining this ARC Grant for infrastructure improvements for the North America Sticks Project," said Bruce Carpenter, Executive Director of the Corbin Economic Development Agency and the Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority. "Their help has been instrumental in moving this project forward."

The Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority serves Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, McCreary and Whitley Counties. For more information on the Southeast Kentucky Business Park, please visit www.sekbp.com

To learn more about North America Sticks, visit Kentucky.gov.

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit Congressman Rogers' online office at http://halrogers.house.gov or follow him on Twitter or Instagram @RepHalRogers, and on Facebook.