Renfro Supply Co. to create 25 jobs, expand operations in Williamsburg with nearly $8.5 million investment

Kentucky’s distribution and logistics sector is growing as Williamsburg’s Renfro Supply, which is one of the region’s largest wholesalers, will expand operations in Whitley County with a nearly $8.5 million expansion creating 25 jobs for Kentucky residents.

“We are building an economy that works for every single Kentuckian,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Investments from companies like Renfro Supply, which has been serving the commonwealth for 100 years, is helping us achieve that goal. This is a great day for Southeast Kentucky and the residents of Whitley County. I want to thank the company’s leadership for their continued support and I look forward to many more years of success from them here in the commonwealth.”

The investment will see the company expand its current operations with a 51,000-square-foot facility on six acres, which will more than double the space of the company’s current footprint. This project comes in response to growing customer demand and continued growth and will allow Renfro Supply to provide the full product offering of a convenience store, along with additional opportunities to serve other businesses.

The project will create 25 quality jobs for residents in the area, bringing the company’s total number of Kentucky employees to 46. Construction on the new site is anticipated to begin this month and be completed by June 2023.

“The new facility is a long overdue expansion of our capacity as a distributor,” said Renfro Supply President and CEO Burley McFarland. “The new space allows for growth and the ability to diversify within our industry, allowing access to many new job opportunities. We look forward to being able to offer new products and services the former facility would not afford.”

Based in Williamsburg, Renfro Supply is one of the largest wholesalers of goods in the region. The company was founded in 1922 by Simon Renfro and has been located in the same building for the past century.

Since the company was founded, it has delivered over nine million products to its customer base; offering over 10,000 products and goods in its catalogue. Renfro Supply provides service and delivery of goods to retail stores, convenience stores, restaurants and schools, among other businesses.

Renfro Supply’s growth builds on the state’s strength in distribution and logistics, an industry that has announced more than 6,000 full-time jobs for Kentucky residents during the administration behind $1.2 billion in new investment.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said he is excited to see continued investment in the community.

“The Whitley County Fiscal Court and the Whitley County Industrial Development Authority are glad to see any new investments in our community like this, especially from an existing business that has been such a big part of our community for so long,” White said. “It’s wonderful to see homegrown businesses continue their success in the communities that they were created in.”

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison noted the economic impact the company has had and will continue to have on the city and surrounding area.

“I am thrilled that Renfro Supply, a Williamsburg business for 100 years, has chosen to expand and stay in Williamsburg,” said Harrison. “They are – as always – contributing to the economic growth of our city and region with more job opportunities and more product distribution. The City of Williamsburg is excited to be part of this!”

The new facility is being built on property that the City of Williamsburg deeded to Renfro Supply as part of its economic incentive package to build the new facility inside the city limits.

Bruce Carpenter, executive director of the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Agency, said he is thrilled to see Renfro Supply expand and bring new jobs to the region.

“It has been a pleasure working with the owners of Renfro Supply on their expansion, and I am very pleased that we were able to retain their business operations and existing employees, as well as adding an additional 25 new jobs, in Williamsburg/Whitley County,” said Carpenter. “Congratulations on their 100-year anniversary and expansion. I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with Renfro Supply for many years to come.”

Renfro Supply Co.’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in August preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $500,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of nearly $8.5 million and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 25 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $20 including benefits across those jobs.

Additionally, KEDFA approved Renfro Supply Co. for up to $100,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, Renfro Supply Co. can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

For more information on Renfro Supply Co., visit renfrosupply.com.