Bluegrass Supply Chain Services to Invest Over $16 Million in Jeffersonville. 

by with No Comment 1si News1si Press ReleaseEconomic Development

NEW ALBANY, IN (May 15, 2023) Southern Indiana continues to build on its momentum in the logistics industry, as Bluegrass Supply Chain Services, LLC and Bridgeport Partners REIG, LLC announce plans for a new facility at 1205 Bridgeport Drive in Jeffersonville, Indiana.  The Bowling Green, Kentucky-based companies plan to invest $15,931,000 in the new facility, along with an additional investment of $835,000 in machinery and equipment.  The new facility will add up to 25 new employees at an average hourly wage of $27.22, which is above the average hourly wage for Clark County, Indiana.   

“We’re extremely excited to bring this new, state-of-the-art logistics center to Jeffersonville,” said John Higgins, CEO of Bluegrass Supply Chain Services, LLC and Bridgeport Partners REIG, LLC. “Supply chain management, logistics, and advanced innovation plays a critical role in the economic health and vibrancy of our country.  This new facility positions us to combine the best of breed technology with integrated solutions to continue playing a key part in this vital area.  We appreciate all the efforts made from the State of Indiana, the City of Jeffersonville, and One Southern Indiana to help us expand our footprint and our workforce with job wages at or above the Clark County average.”

The company was approved for over $1.3 million in tax abatements from the City of Jeffersonville, including $1,299,680 in real estate taxes over the next five years, and $11,693 in personal property taxes over the same period, as approved by the Jeffersonville City Council during its May 1 meeting. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is supporting this project by expanding their existing 2018 incentives to incorporate this additional investment in Indiana. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Bluegrass Supply Chain Services on this project,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore.  “It’s yet another example of Jeffersonville’s vibrant business climate, and further evidence of our quality resident workforce in the area which supports economic growth across our region.  We look forward to assisting in any way we can to bring this exciting project to fruition.”

Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana said, “This is wonderful news for Jeffersonville and Southern Indiana.  We continue to attract dynamic companies at the forefront of their industries, and with their focus on innovation, technology and continuous improvement in logistics, Bluegrass Supply Chain Services is certainly no exception.  1si is delighted to be a part of this process, and we look forward to watching their progress.”   

About Bluegrass Supply Chain Services
Bluegrass Supply Chain Services offers a full suite of value-added warehousing services and transportation management solutions to enhance operational efficiency. By offering expanded capabilities and capacity, reducing time touch and travel, and improving on-time performance, they help companies expand their customer base, venture into new markets, and create positive consumer experiences, so they can focus on core business and becoming more competent, and competitive, in the market. 

About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.

Contact:

Wendy Dant Chesser
President & CEO, One Southern Indiana
Wendy@1si.org
812.945.0266

John Higgins
CEO
Bluegrass Supply Chain Services, LLC
Bridgeport Partners REIG, LLC
jhiggins@bsc3pl.com
270.535.7010

Southern Indiana Community Partners Loan $1,152,552 Million to Businesses in Need

by 1si News1si Press Release
Local Government, Foundations, Private Donors and One Southern Indiana Join Together to Disburse 123 Loans

June 25, 2020 (New Albany, Ind.) – It has been three months since Governor Holcomb announced an executive “Stay at Home” order for the citizens of Indiana.  Since that time, small businesses throughout the state have struggled to stay afloat during the COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.  Recognizing the need for direct assistance to small businesses, One Southern Indiana (1si), the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Clark and Floyd counties, along with the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, joined together to raise funds to assist.

Response was overwhelming, with funding coming from the three initial partners as well as the BlueSky Foundation, Metro United Way, the Clark and Floyd County Commissioners, the Cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany and the Towns of Clarksville and Sellersburg.  Funding was also received from private individuals who wished to remain anonymous. 

There were three loan products offered with the funds raised.  The first, the COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Forgivable Loan Fund, approved 44 loans for a total of $419,257, which was dispersed to approved applicants within one week.  Of that amount, $199,000 was loaned to Clark County businesses and $220,257 to businesses in Floyd County. 

Donum Dei Brewery was one of the recipients of this program and owner Richard Otey said, “ Donum Dei would like to thank Jerry Finn and the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County, One Southern Indiana and all of the other organizations that contributed to the COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Forgivable Loan.  This loan will allow us to stay open and maintain our staffing at current levels.  It will also give us the opportunity to replenish our raw materials that have been depleted by making hand sanitizer for the community.”

The second loan product, called the Community and Cultural Relief Loan Program, was a zero-interest revolving loan program.  From that fund, a total of 44 businesses received $561,295,  with $175,946 loaned to Clark County businesses and $385,349 loaned to Floyd County businesses.

Ross Wallace, owner of New Albany’s Him Gentleman’s Boutique received a loan from this program.  He commented, “This loan means so much to me! Thank you, Caesars Foundation, for this amazing opportunity. After Him Gentleman’s Boutique being closed for almost two months and Derby being postponed, the business saw a significant loss of revenue.”

The “Jeffersonville Sustains” Forgivable Loan Program was the third loan product providing 35 businesses with $172,000 in direct assistance.  All recipients of this program were located within the city limits of Jeffersonville. Phillip and Stefanie Caldwell, owners of Hoopsters Sports Grill, were recipients of this loan and said, “We are grateful to live in an amazing community, that during this trying time in our country, steps up and helps their small businesses be able to keep their doors open. The money that has been loaned to us will help us pay our utilities, mortgage and keep buying supplies.  We will continue to pay the generosity forward.”

Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of 1si, was pleased with the efficiency and results of the program, and said, “We took on this challenge knowing that every business needed help, and we would not be able to assist them all.  But everyone in Southern Indiana can be proud of this effort in our collective time of need.  Not only did we have a multitude of partners step forward to support the fund, but we also had 1si and Southeast SBDC staff members assisting loan applicants, volunteers reviewing and approving the loans and many others who helped get the word out to the community at large.  This is an incredible accomplishment and its success can be attributed to everyone involved.”

About One Southern Indiana:

One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 from the Economic Development organization serving Clark and Floyd counties and the Chamber of Commerce.  1si’s mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area.

Since its inception, the organization has evolved to include a three-prong approach to serve its members and investors.  Business Resources, as the chamber side of the organization, encompasses membership, signature events and programs which support and encourage business growth;  Economic Development works to grow the regional economy through the attraction of new commerce and assists with retention and expansion of existing businesses;  Advocacy supports businesses at the government level by engaging in the initiatives to preserve, protect and promote a business friendly environment free of obstacles to growth and development of commerce.  More information on One Southern Indiana is available at www.1si.org.

 

Media Contacts:
Suzanne Ruark
Director, Marketing and Communication
One Southern Indiana
(812) 945-0266
SuzanneR@1si.org