Alltech Breaks Ground on Nicholasville Expansion, $4.6 Million Investment Creating 6 New Manufacturing Jobs
Facility will produce biofertilizers and natural biological crop solutions, helping U.S. farmers avoid supply chain disruptions and reduce reliance on imported chemicals
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2025) – Today, Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear, joined local officials and leadership at Alltech to break ground on the company’s recently announced expansion in Jessamine County, a nearly $4.6 million investment that will create six new jobs. The expansion is partially funded by a $2.34 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program.
“Alltech’s nearly $4.6 million expansion into Jessamine County is going to create more new jobs for our people, and I am grateful to this long-standing Team Kentucky partner for their continued investment in our state and workforce,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Congratulations on this exciting announcement.”
“Alltech has been a leader in the agriculture industry for nearly half a century and has provided Kentuckians with good, quality manufacturing jobs over the years,” Rocky Adkins said. “This project shows that companies are continuing to choose Kentucky as their home and as a prime place to do business. I want to congratulate Alltech’s leaders on their new expansion, and we look forward to seeing their success continue.”
Announced in July and located at the company’s global headquarters in Nicholasville, the new facility will be Alltech’s first U.S. manufacturing plant dedicated solely to producing crop science solutions. It will produce biological fertilizers and crop inputs, producing over 66,000 gallons of biological fertilizer products per shift per month and will require the creation of six new manufacturing jobs.
Modeled after the company’s crop science production facilities in Brazil and Spain, the new manufacturing plant will produce more than 30 products that help farmers enhance soil and crop vitality and reduce chemical inputs. Made with beneficial microorganisms, Alltech’s biofertilizers improve soil fertility, stimulate root development, enhance nutrient uptake and support a healthier soil microbiome. These biological solutions provide farmers an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic inputs while also reducing their vulnerability to global economic pressures and supply chain disruptions. Nationally, this project’s impact enables the export of domestic technologies, driving international uptake of U.S. products and supply chain resiliency for U.S. growers. In addition, Alltech’s new facility will be instrumental in growing the offering of its in-market sustainable technologies domestically and internationally.
“This facility represents the next phase in scaling our biological innovations for agriculture,” said Dr. Steve Borst, vice president of Alltech Crop Science, who leads the project. “By expanding production here in Kentucky, we can bring farmers natural, science-based solutions that improve soil health, strengthen crops and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. We’re grateful to the USDA and to our state and local partners for their support in making this vision a reality.”
“Fermentation has always been at the heart of our business, and this facility allows us to apply that expertise in new ways to support crop health, productivity and sustainability,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We’re proud to strengthen our presence at our global headquarters in Kentucky, creating an innovation and manufacturing center that will serve U.S. farmers, strengthen our local community and continue to advance the science of agriculture.”
Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, sustainable solutions for agriculture. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Alltech serves customers in more than 140 countries, has five bioscience centers and operates more than 75 manufacturing facilities across the globe. With more than 5,000 team members worldwide, the family-owned company is a leader in the agriculture industry, producing specialty ingredients, premixes, supplements, feed for animal nutrition and biological solutions for crops and soil.
Alltech’s diverse portfolio of products and services improves the health and performance of animals and plants, resulting in better nutrition for all and a decreased environmental impact. Alltech Crop Science is the agronomic division of Alltech, which leverages expertise in microbial fermentation and nutrigenomic research to produce science-backed biological solutions that foster soil balance, maximize crop yields, improve plant health and resilience, and promote sustainability and value creation across the food chain.
Jessamine County Judge/Executive David West spoke on the partnership between the company and community: “Jessamine County is exceedingly grateful for this Alltech expansion that will provide opportunities for employment with world-class innovation. Alltech continues to be an excellent community partner, and Jessamine County looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Nicholasville Mayor Alex Carter showed his excitement for the project: “Alltech Crop Science’s expansion is a win for Nicholasville and for the future of sustainable farming in America. This investment brings a new facility that will create good jobs, drive innovation and provide our farmers with the tools they need to thrive. I’m proud to support a project that strengthens food security and promotes innovation right here in Nicholasville, Kentucky. We are excited to celebrate Alltech’s expansion and presence in Nicholasville.”
Alltech’s investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $43 billion in announced investments, creating more than 63,200 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $18 billion more than the next highest total.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
For more information on Alltech, visit Alltech.com.
A detailed community profile for Jessamine County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.
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