GE Appliances puts $490M, hundreds more jobs in return of KY manufacturing lines
GE Appliances is bringing its production of clothes washers back to Kentucky.
The appliance manufacturing company announced Thursday it is moving its washing machine production lines previously located in China to its global headquarters and Appliance Park in Louisville. The company is investing nearly $500 million in outfitting an existing building for the work that will create 800 new, full-time jobs.
As part of the investment and expansion announcement, GE Appliance President and CEO Kevin Nolan said, “manufacturing in the U.S. is fundamental to our ‘zero-distance’ business strategy to make appliances as close as possible to our customers and consumers.
“This decision is our most recent product reshoring and aligns with the current economic and policy environment,” he said, alluding to President Donald Trump’s trade and tariff policies that are pushing manufacturing operations to move to the U.S.
In its meeting Thursday, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved just over $113 million in performance-based tax credits from the state’s job retention and business investment programs. Once manufacturing lines open in 2027 and employment targets are met, those credits will kick in.
“I can tell you it’s powerful innovation being brought to the market,” Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel said June 26 to the KEDFA board. “For the entire state to have a mammoth production operation in which engineering takes place along with the innovation, that’s the kind of manufacturing scenario we’re working hard to further bring into Kentucky.”
GE’s economic impact on Kentucky
The manufacturing plant is vertically integrated, meaning GE also manufactures parts and equipment needed to make its appliances. The washing machine production lines rely on automation and robotics and will likely need a mix of labor to operate.
In a statement, Gov. Andy Beshear said the investment “strengthens one of our vital Kentucky assets and underscores our state’s reputation as America’s destination of choice for advanced manufacturing and job creation.”
GE’s economic impact report for 2024 estimated that the company contributed $12.8 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. The company already supports 8,000 direct jobs in the commonwealth and an additional 30,500 through its economic activity.
Last year, GE generated approximately $655 million in state and local taxes and spent $318 million with more than 480 Kentucky-based suppliers, according to the report.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement he was “thrilled” GE would be continuing to build at its global headquarters.
“This half-billion-dollar investment is a huge deal that will create 800 good, local jobs and secure GE Appliances’ growth in Louisville for the next generation,” he said.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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