Lake County, Tenn. – Excel Boats will invest $9M to establish a new manufacturing facility in Ridgeley. Excel plans to create nearly 200 new jobs in Lake County over the next five years.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Excel Boat officials made the announcement.
“Excel Boats’ new plant and the creation of nearly 200 jobs will be transformational for Lake County,” Haslam said. “One of our priorities has been to attract jobs and private capital investment in rural Tennessee. Excel Boats’ investment in Lake County shows that Tennessee will lead in recruiting quality jobs to our rural communities and putting them on a sustainable economic footing.”
Ridgely and Lake County are represented by Sen. Ed Jackson (R – Jackson) and Rep. Bill Sanderson (R – Kenton).
“We’ve put considerable resources in place to lift up rural parts of Tennessee, particularly Tier-4 communities like Lake County that have not benefitted in our state’s overall growth,” Rolfe said. “I’d like to thank CEO Glenn Foreman and the leadership team at Excel Boats for this investment in Ridgely. Excel Boats is a tremendous company and the jobs, wages and economic impact of this plant will have a long and lasting impact on Lake County.”
Excel Boats, located in Mountain View, Ark., manufactures a full line of high-end aluminum boats for outdoor recreational enthusiasts. The company will construct a 100,000-square-foot facility in Lake County, including an office space, showroom and visitor area. Construction will begin in July 2018 and the facility is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2019. Excel Boats will begin hiring in the third quarter of 2018.
“Tennessee’s strong economic climate for manufacturers coupled with the desire and work ethic of the good people of Lake County made this an easy decision for us,” Excel Boat Company CEO Glenn Foreman said. “By establishing operations in Ridgely, we have a chance to make a huge difference in a community that truly wants us and deserves this Excel Boats manufacturing plant.”
At the Ridgely plant, Excel Boats will produce a new, expanded line of hunting, fishing and recreational boats. The company will also manufacture boat trailers, wiring harnesses, upholstery, bracing and other boating products for its dealership network.
“Our team and the governor’s team worked hard to bring this great company to Lake County,” Lake County Mayor Denny Johnson said. “We have the best employees available and our quality of life in Lake County cannot be beat. We look forward to Excel Boats becoming part of our family.”
“TVA and Gibson Electric Membership Corporation are excited to welcome Excel Boats to Ridgley, and congratulate them on creating new job opportunities in Lake County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Helping to create jobs and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service and we are proud to partner with the Reelfoot Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake County officials, Ridgley Industrial Development Board and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission.”
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