Local biofertilizer manufacturer Alltech is expanding its footprint in Nicholasville. The company broke ground on a newly planned, $4.6 million facility last week.
The 15,000 square foot building is expected to produce 66,000 gallons of biological fertilizer every month and create at least six new jobs.
The facility will ferment bacteria to create natural fertilizers as a healthier alternative for crops.
Steve Borst runs Alltech’s crop science division. He says it comes as more farmers are focusing on sustainability.
“More emphasis is being put on good stewardship of soil and plant and current microbial populations that exist within those different areas. So it's almost like we're supporting the plant and the soil to do what it knows how to do better.”
A $2.34 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture makes up most of the investment. Alltech applied for the grant in 2022, which was just recently approved.
Borst says they’ve gotten bipartisan support, even as some federal grants have been frozen. Republican congressmen Andy Barr and Mitch McConnell, along with Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, have all backed the facility.
“Our current congressmen, governor, are very supportive of this, again, because it’s bringing jobs to Kentucky, the state of Kentucky, and we're bringing manufacturing capabilities domestically,” he said.
Alltech brought local leaders and representatives from the agricultural industry to last week’s groundbreaking in Nicholasville.
