Taggart Solar, LLC Will Locate in Edmonson County Industrial Park

Company Announces Plans to Create 30 Additional Jobs for Edmonson County

Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY-Taggart Solar, LLC has announced its plans to locate a new manufacturing facility in the Edmonson County Industrial Park in Edmonson County in a 10,000-sq-ft leased building. The company will employ 30 individuals when the project is complete. The project's announced capital investment is more than $440,000.

"Kentucky is thrilled to welcome Taggart Solar, a company that is providing its customers with cleaner, greener energy applications with its solar technology," Gov. Beshear said. "Taggart Solar's presence in Edmonson County and the addition of 30 jobs in the area will provide a positive economic boost to the region. The Commonwealth is pleased to have played a role in making this project possible."

Taggart Solar manufactures and assembles solar panels for industrial and residential use, and the company manufactured the solar panels used at Scotty's Industrial Farm in the Scotty's Industrial Park in Bowling Green. The two-megawatt Edmonson County facility is expected to be operational by May and will assemble photovoltaic (sunlight into electricity) modules for distribution across the United States, Canada, as well as other countries.

"We're extremely excited to announce our plans to locate in Edmonson County," said Dagney Johnson, president of Taggart Solar. "We've been very impressed with the community, the leadership of the elected officials, and the assistance that everyone has provided to make this project happen. I'm confident that South Central Kentucky is going to be a place of success for Taggart Solar."

Edmonson County Judge Executive N.E. Reed said, "We're very pleased that Taggart Solar has chosen to do business in Edmonson County. This company's announced capital investment and expected total job creation are great news for our community, and it's exciting to know that a green-energy company will be bringing their technology and innovation to South Central Kentucky."

The Edmonson County Industrial Authority assisted Taggart Solar with the development of this project. Jerry Patton, chairman of the Authority, said, "We thank Taggart Solar for committing to doing business in Edmonson County! We know that our county has many assets to offer different companies, and we're glad to see Taggart Solar take advantage of these benefits."

Edmonson County participates in the South Central Kentucky Regional Economic Development Partnership and has a contract with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber to provide the county with extended economic development services through the Menu of Services Program. Chamber Board of Directors Chairman D. Gaines Penn said, "We're grateful that Edmonson County invests in the Menu of Services Program, and we're happy to have assisted with this project. We look forward to continuing our lasting partnership with Edmonson County."

"We're also grateful for the roles that our many community and state leaders played in the completion of this project. These leaders demonstrate the supportive public-private partnerships that we enjoy in South Central Kentucky," said Penn. "This project is a great example as Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation introduced Taggart Solar to the TVA Solar Solutions Incentives program, which Taggart is now using as it builds a business here. Partnerships with utility companies and stakeholders like Warren Rural and TVA contribute to projects like Taggart Solar by bringing new opportunities to the table and identifying additional resources to help finalize a project."

Leaders of Edmonson County, local legislators and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce assisted Taggart Solar in the approval of this economic development project. Their collaboration is a testament to the entities' willingness to spur economic growth and employ more South Central Kentucky residents.

To encourage the investment and job growth in Edmonson County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

KBI is a part of Incentives for New Kentucky (INK), legislation that was enacted by Governor Steve Beshear and the state legislature in June 2009 to revise previous incentive programs and create new incentive opportunities for economic development. Support given by legislators like Representative Michael Lee Meredith and Senator David Givens to this incentives program has enhanced industry attraction, retention and expansion efforts throughout South Central Kentucky.

"I congratulate Taggart Solar on their decision," said Sen. David Givens, of Greensburg. "Our community is hard-working and dedicated. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with a new community partner."

"I applaud today's announcement and what it can mean to our local economy," said Rep. Michael Meredith, of Brownsville. "Hopefully these 30 jobs will serve as a boost to those seeking employment and serve as a building block to bring more opportunities to our region."

When hiring is complete, Taggart Solar's project will result in a total economic impact of more than $10 million over a three-year period. Property taxes will increase by more than $107,000, and expenses for mortgages and housing rent will exceed more than $440,000. Household spending will increase by more than $3 million during those three years as well. This additional spending includes

• $417,000 for meals in and outside of the home
• $224, 000 in utility costs
• $202,000 in new and used vehicle purchases and vehicle repairs
• $104,000 in cash contributions
• $98,000 in home furnishings and appliances

About Taggart Solar, LLC:

Taggart Solar has been a pioneer in utility rate reduction software. We have utilized our experience and relationships to become a successful green energy company. Our staff of experts will assist you in all your endeavors. Star Harvest is a green energy company specializing in solar energy generation.

Taggart Solar, LLC partners with utilities and industries to provide a renewable energy source and are at the forefront of the alternative, clean energy movement.  Taggart Solar, LLC services include Joint Ventures on Solar Generation Projects, Power Purchase Agreements, Commercial & Industrial System Sales, Monitoring & Maintenance Agreements and Consulting Services.

About the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development:

Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.  Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.

A detailed community profile for Edmonson County can be viewed at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=022.

Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear, read the Governor's personal notes on his blog at http://blog.governor.ky.gov/, and view his video commentaries at www.youtube.com/governorbeshear.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.