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Ohio Co. furniture factory is expanding

By Stuart Peck - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Noah Stubbs - email

OHIO CO., KY (WFIE) - An office furniture factory that is expanding in Ohio County took advantage of Kentucky's new economic incentives bill.

James Staples lived across the street from the National Office Furniture Plant in Fordsville for 30 years.

Staples got word on Friday that his neighbors would be making a $4.5 million expansion.

"I think it's real important, Staples said. "It put a lot of people to work who live around here. I'm really glad it's here."

The furniture plant is taking advantage of incentives recently passed in Kentucky's special session.

With 203 workers, the plant is Fordsville's largest employer and leaves a big footprint in the small community.

"Not too awful long ago, I heard a rumor going around that they were going to close this plant over here, it must have just been a rumor," Staples said. "I'm glad it was anyway."

Even though Staples never worked for National Office Furniture, he knows people who do.

He also knows first hand about the company's work.

"I had one of those dining room tables for probably 20 years that they had made over there," Staples said. "My granddaughter is still using it."

The plant is also planning to retool so it can be more environmentally friendly.

For example, the plant will stop using solvent based coating on its furniture products.

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