Kroger, Levi's and agritech: Here are 5 major projects just announced for Kentucky

A plethora of new jobs will soon be coming to the Bluegrass State due to five major projects, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.

The projects represent $160.9 million in new investments that will create 1,003 new jobs, Beshear said.

The projects are:

• A Kroger e-commerce fulfillment center in Louisville

• A Levi Strauss & Co. e-commerce distribution center in Erlanger

• An 80 Acres Farm vertical farming facility in Boone County

• A relocation and expansion of Confluent Health's headquarters to Louisville

• A Piston Automotive facility in Louisville.

"The challenges of our present, they are difficult, but the excitement and optimism of our future is really special," Beshear said.

Here are early details about the projects.

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Kroger e-commerce facility in Louisville

Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kroger Co., plans to locate a new e-commerce fulfillment facility in Louisville. It will create 161 jobs paying an average hourly wage of $30, including benefits.

The company will lease an existing 50,000-square-foot facility on Robards Lane. The new location will help Kroger expand its grocery-delivery capabilities and support its high-tech customer fulfillment center in Monroe, Ohio.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said Thursday that the announcement is "the latest way that Kroger is showing its commitment to the Louisville market."

“Kroger has long been a valued partner in our community, providing jobs, reinvesting in our city through continued growth and giving back through its charity," he said.

Levi Strauss e-commerce distribution center in Erlanger

Levi Strauss plans to lease and upgrade an existing 575,700-square-foot facility in Northern Kentucky at 660 Erlanger Road with a more than $48 million investment.. Work on the project, which will create roughly 300 new jobs, is expected to begin in February and be completed for operations in early 2023.

The new jobs will have an average hourly compensation of $27.13, including benefits.

The move will double Levi Strauss' employment in Kentucky. The company runs two distribution-related facilities in Hebron, where it employs approximately 300 people.

80 Acres vertical farming facility in Boone County

80 Acres Farms will invest $74 million to create an agritech facility at an existing 200,000-square-foot building that sits on more than 22 acres.

The move will create 125 new jobs with an average hourly wage of $45, including benefits.

The operation is expected to be active in the third quarter of this year and will include "a high-tech indoor vertical farm and harvesting, packaging and distribution capabilities for leafy green, microgreens, berries and tomatoes," according to the release.

Confluent Health HQ relocation to Louisville

Confluent Health LLC, a health care company that focuses on occupational and physical therapy, will invest roughly $10 million to relocate its headquarters to Louisville and to expand it.

The project will create 350 full-time jobs that will provide an average hourly wage of $37.50, including benefits.

“As we continue to build on our economic momentum of the past year, health care-related companies will be an important part of our continued growth,” Beshear said Thursday. “Kentucky is well-positioned to support this rapidly expanding industry."

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Piston Automotive's new facility in Louisville

Piston Automotive, a provider of autotive assemblies, including advanced electric and hybrid vehicle battery systems is investing more than $26.3 million into a larger facility in Louisville, Beshear said.

The move will create 117 new jobs.

"I anticipate this growth is just the beginning because our auto sector is truly on fire," Beshear said. "It's exciting to see all of the opportunities."

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-377-5675 or follow on Twitter @Ben__Tobin.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky construction projects: Kroger, Levi Strauss and agritech