Louisville, Kentucky based Premier Packaging is planning to purchase 45.4 acres in Lebanon, Tennessee to build a $60 million facility that will consist of two buildings for manufacturing and distribution. According to local media reports, Phase 1 of the project will be the construction of a 277,000-square-foot distribution center, with construction tentatively to begin in the second quarter of 2022. Phase 2 of the project, a 205,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, is planned for construction in the third quarter of 2023.
Once the new buildings are complete, it will result in the creation of 80 new jobs and the retention of 49 existing jobs that will move to Lebanon. The project’s associated annual payroll is estimated at more than $6.8 million.
City Manager Scott Brunka said Premier Packaging is currently leasing a facility in Mason, Tennessee, and is building the new facility to expand their operations. He said the final details for the project are being completed and he expects Lebanon City Council to consider the final agreement and land purchase at its Jan. 25 meeting.
The economic development agreement also includes the city constructing a new public street for access to the proposed facility. The cost of the new roadway is estimated at more than $1.23 million and will be offset by grants totaling $650,000 from JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Premier Packaging, LLC is a national manufacturer and distributor of packaging for the e-commerce, technology, manufacturing, medical, and food industries. According to its website, the company operates shipping and production facilities in 38 states, Canada and Mexico.
Michael Merman, Chief Financial Officer for Premier Packaging, said the company has had a facility in Mason for the past five years to serve its markets in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky.
“It just made sense to expand there because its been a good business environment for us and the employee market has been great,” Merman said.
