Gov. Beshear Joins Pratt Industries To Open $500 Million Paper Mill in Henderson, Creating Over 320 Well-Paying Jobs Across 2 Facilities

$500 million project marks largest investment in the region in more than 25 years

HENDERSON, Ky. (Sep. 14, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear joined officials with Pratt Industries in Henderson to officially open the company’s new $500 million paper mill and box factory, which will create over 320 well-paying jobs across two facilities and serves as the largest investment in the region in more than 25 years.

“I want to congratulate Pratt Industries on this newest milestone in Henderson,” said Gov. Beshear. “The quality job opportunities for hundreds of Kentucky residents this project is bringing to the region is something to celebrate. Pratt Industries is a perfect fit for the Henderson community, and I want to thank Anthony Pratt and his team for their commitment to the commonwealth.”

In December 2021, Pratt broke ground on the first of two facilities that will total 1.15 million square feet of space along Kentucky Highway 425 in Henderson County. Earlier that year, the company announced a $400 million investment, which has since grown to $500 million to support the construction of a 500,000-square-foot box factory. It will produce corrugated sheet and boxes, including pizza boxes and packaging for major distributors and big box stores, with paper sourced from the new state-of-the-art, 650,000-square-foot paper mill, which produces 100% recycled paper. The new location expands Pratt’s footprint in the commonwealth, which currently includes a Pratt Display manufacturing plant established in Hebron in 2011, which employs over 200 Kentuckians.

“This is a very proud day for our company because this investment represents a major part of my recent pledge to the United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, to invest $5 billion in recycling and clean energy infrastructure in the U.S. over the next 10 years,” said Pratt Industries Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt. “This will help reduce landfill, cut methane gas emissions and create green collar American manufacturing jobs.”

Georgia-based Pratt Industries produces lightweight, high-strength containerboard and corrugated board sourced from 100% recycled paper. The company's operations include paper mills in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, New York and Ohio. Pratt Industries was established more than 30 years ago and employs more than 10,000 people in nearly 30 states.

Henderson Judge/Executive Brad Schneider showed his excitement for the project: “Congratulations to the entire Pratt team for reaching this amazing milestone. Watching the construction process over these many months has been so interesting. Our community has been impressed with the size and scope of the facilities. But now the next step, getting the mill and corrugator up and running, is even more exciting. Henderson County will continue to help our partners at Pratt with anything they need to solidify and grow their business here. Let’s make some boxes!”

Henderson Mayor Brad Staton spoke on the partnership between Pratt and the Henderson community: “Pratt’s grand opening is truly a testament to what our community can accomplish by working together. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making today possible, and thank you to Pratt for choosing Henderson, Kentucky! We look forward to our continued partnership and success.”

Henderson Economic Development Executive Director Missy Vanderpool mentioned the community’s support of the project and the positive impact the mill will have on Henderson: “It’s incredible to think that only two years ago, we shared news of Pratt Industries’ plans to construct their next ‘millugator’ in Henderson, Kentucky. We’re overjoyed to celebrate its official opening and express our appreciation to Pratt for their commitment and investment in Henderson. The community will feel this investment’s positive impact for many years. We extend our sincerest thanks to Pratt for choosing Henderson, Kentucky.” 

Pratt’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth.