Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced an exciting new project in the state’s manufacturing sector as James Composites LLC, a producer of fiberglass barge covers, will invest $5.8 million in Marshall County to establish its first facility in the commonwealth and create 25 quality, full-time jobs.
“Kentucky’s manufacturing industry continues to fuel our historic economic momentum, providing quality job opportunities and investment in communities across the entire state,” said Gov. Beshear. “James Composites is creating dozens of great jobs for Kentuckians while further strengthening our commonwealth’s industrial base. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their trust and welcome them to their New Kentucky Home.”
The location of the project at 390 Riverside Lane in Calvert City will allow James Composites to have direct access to the Tennessee River through the site’s marine ways system. Construction of a new building is expected to be completed by November. The project will create 25 jobs for the Marshall County community, including positions in the fiberglass manufacturing industry with specialized roles in fabrication and production.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to start our fiberglass barge cover manufacturing operations in Calvert City, Kentucky,” said Jeff James, managing member of James Composites and president/CEO of James Marine. “This new business will allow us to create high-quality jobs here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provide an additional supply option for a vital product to the inland waterways barge market that we serve. We are appreciative of all the state and local government officials and Kentucky Lake Economic Development for their assistance and support for this project, and we are looking forward to the future and getting our operations underway.”
James Composites LLC was organized in April 2025 to manufacture fiberglass barge covers for barges serving the inland waterways. The company expects to begin operations in early 2027 after the completion of the new manufacturing building. James Composites is part of the James Marine Inc. family of companies, which was founded in 1986. This family-owned company provides an array of services to the inland river industry, including towboat and barge repairs; new construction and painting of towboats, barges, and dry docks; groceries, supplies and fueling; and towing, chartering, harbor and fleet services.
Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs is excited about the company locating in the community: “We are pleased to see James Composites choosing to locate in Marshall County. This project brings new opportunity to our community, supports local jobs, and adds to the momentum we continue to build across the Kentucky Lake region. Investments like this help ensure a strong, diverse economy that benefits our residents and strengthens our future.”
Calvert City Mayor Gene Colburn noted the area’s ideal location and strong workforce: “Any time we see an expansion from an existing business, it’s exciting for Calvert City, because it speaks to the strength of our community and the importance of retaining the companies that already believe in this region. Investing in homegrown businesses with proven success is a smart bet, and it keeps that momentum building right here at home. Having a company like James Marine invest and expand through James Composites is a strong sign that our location, our workforce and our access to the inland waterways continue to make Calvert City a prime economic driver for Marshall County and Western Kentucky.”
Elizabeth Griffith Mudd, president of the Kentucky Lake Economic Development, highlighted the positive impact the company will have on the region’s manufacturing industry: “We are thrilled to welcome James Composites to Calvert City and Marshall County. This project’s investment reflects the strength of our industrial base, our access to inland waterways and the skilled workforce that continues to make this region attractive to manufacturing companies. Projects like this not only strengthen our local economy but also reinforce Kentucky Lake’s role as a strategic location for marine and river-related industries.”
James Composites’ investment and job creation furthers what has been the best six-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 over $45 billion in announced investments, creating more than 68,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $24 billion more than the next highest total.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott 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.
Last 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.