Business

Four plastics suppliers in the state of Kentucky, including Jones Plastic and Engineering in Williamsburg, have been awarded $40 million in contracts by GE Appliances. On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the awarding of the new contracts as “the first of many economic ripple effects from GE Appliances’ $3 billion commitment to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint and expand its supply chain.” The three other facilities include EPC, a plastic fabrication company in Lebanon; Plastic Products Co. Inc., a plastic injection molder based in Lebanon and Greenville; and another facility in Frankfort. “GE Appliances believes in Kentucky and our workforce, and the more than $40 million awarded to suppliers in the commonwealth...

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is the first statewide employer to join the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s Education First Employer network, a group of 60 leading companies that offer tuition benefits, flexible scheduling, and competitive wages for employees pursuing higher education. The announcement was made during a press conference earlier today at the nonprofit’s West Louisville Opportunity Center. “Goodwill is joining a network of Kentucky companies that are investing in our workforce by ensuring that Kentuckians do not have to choose between working or learning,” said Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman. “It’s this kind of team spirit that creates opportunities that allow our economy, and our families, to thrive.” KCTCS launched the...

If you are thinking about how you want to celebrate the New Year next Tuesday night, the Mint Gaming Hall – Cumberland in Williamsburg has you covered with several special promotions, live music and more. Ribeye steak will be on special at the Backyard for $29.99, and a photo booth will be set up inside the Midnight Bourbon Bar all day long. Starting at 8 p.m., Cody Fuson will be performing live. Fuson will be on hand to meet with fans an hour before the show at the Backyard. Various drawings and promotions will be held throughout the evening, giving visitors plenty of chances to win big and get the New Year...

The Croley name is synonymous with Williamsburg and Whitley County, and rightfully so. Just over 70 years ago, Croley’s parents established Croley Funeral Home on the site where it is still located to this day. “My mother and father started the funeral home here in 1954,” Croley said. “We moved in when I was 5-years-old, so this is all I’ve ever known. I have been in the funeral business my whole life.” Croley explained that his father was a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Clinton, Tenn. before the family moved to Whitley County. He worked in Corbin for a period of time before going to work at Ellison Funeral Home...

If you are thinking about how you want to celebrate the New Year next Tuesday night, the Mint Gaming Hall - Cumberland in Williamsburg has you covered with several special promotions, live music and more. Ribeye steak will be on special at the Backyard for $29.99, and a photo booth will be set up inside the Midnight Bourbon Bar all day long. Starting at 8 p.m., Cody Fuson will be performing live. Fuson will be on hand to meet with fans an hour before the show at the Backyard. Various drawings and promotions will be held throughout the evening, giving visitors plenty of chances to win big and get the New Year...

The Croley name is synonymous with Williamsburg and Whitley County, and rightfully so. Just over 70 years ago, Croley’s parents established Croley Funeral Home on the site where it is still located to this day. “My mother and father started the funeral home here in 1954,” Croley said. “We moved in when I was 5-years-old, so this is all I’ve ever known. I have been in the funeral business my whole life.” Croley explained that his father was a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Clinton, Tenn. before the family moved to Whitley County. He worked in Corbin for a period of time before going to work at Ellison Funeral Home...

Michael Hart, who owns and operates Hart Funeral Home of Corbin along with his wife, Ty, has seen the business change since first getting his start in the late 1960’s. He recalls going to the train depot with his father in the wee hours of the morning as a high schooler, and helping with the retrieval of bodies that had been transported by train so that loved ones could bury them in their hometown. He also recalls working around the clock for many years during the days when local funeral homes were also expected to provide ambulatory services. Throughout it all, Hart says that his passion for helping people...

Those who have been wondering what will take the place of the old Gibson’s Music location in downtown Corbin now have their answer. Recently, the Pinball Museum of Corbin posted on their official Facebook page, letting followers know to “GET READY” because they will soon be expanding and moving into the former home of Gibson’s Music, located at 112 S Main St. Owner Jim Bruso is excited about the move, saying that the expanded floor space in the new location will allow for well over 300 machines, counting pinball machines, arcade machines, bowling machines, and a new section featuring redemption machines that will offer tickets that can be exchanged for prizes. Bruso...

In March, the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has been celebrating International Women’s Month by spotlighting several female business leaders in the local community. Among those business leaders was Wendy Goff, who for the past three years has guided the Williamsburg Firestone plant through some of its most difficult challenges, as well as some of its most exciting new ventures. Goff’s history leading up to becoming a plant manager at Firestone adequately prepared her for the opportunities that she would eventually be presented with here in Williamsburg. When asked to discuss that journey, the Somerset native said, “I have done many different things in the past. I went to work...

McDonald’s restaurants across Kentucky are supporting classroom activities by presenting a series of MAC Grants this fall. Each $500 MAC (Make Activities Count) Grant is designed to help local teachers and staff fund new and exciting projects designed to engage their students in creative ways. Recently, local McDonald’s Owner/Operator John Faris’s organization presented a $500 check to Melissa Mills, a librarian at Lynn Camp Middle/High School in Corbin. Mills will use the grant to upgrade library hosting materials for events. MAC Grants are designed to provide educators with the resources they need to create new and exciting learning experiences for their students. McDonald’s hopes this MAC Grant will allow for some...