Hines Furlong To Expand Paducah Facility
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced December 11 that Nashville, Tenn.-based Hines Furlong Line (HFL) plans to expand its current operation in McCracken County, Ky. The nearly $11 million investment will add 50 new jobs.
“One of Kentucky’s greatest assets is its natural resources and waterways, making our maritime transportation and logistics operations one of the best in the country,” Beshear said. “When quality companies like Hines Furlong Line choose to reinvest in themselves and their communities, it plays a critical role in propelling our state’s economy forward. This is a welcome investment in the western Kentucky region that will provide 50 high-paying jobs for the local workforce. I am looking forward to HFL’s continued and long-term success.”
The expansion plans include construction of a new 15,000-square-foot building at HFL’s operations center in Paducah. The new facility will provide expanded office space for the company’s growing employee base and improve operational efficiency. The project will also include renovating approximately 7,000 square feet of the existing facility to include a modern mariner training center and employee gym. The expansion will more than triple the current operational space of the facility. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
“This expansion positions Hines Furlong Line for our next chapter of growth,” said Kent Furlong, president and founder of Hines Furlong Line. “The partnership between the commonwealth of Kentucky and local leaders has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and we’re grateful for their collaboration as we invest in the facilities, training and operational capabilities that will carry our industry and Kentucky’s economic growth forward.”
Furlong, grandson of river industry pioneer James G. Hines, founded HFL in 2004. The 21-year-old company builds on more than a century of family experience on the inland waterways. HFL operates a fleet of towboats and tank barges, maintaining a strong presence in Paducah, which serves as an operational hub for vessel management, logistics and maintenance. The company recently announced an agreement to acquire the river division of Campbell Transportation Company, a strategic move that will significantly extend HFL’s operational capabilities along the full length of the Ohio River.
“As a major inland marine transportation and barge-leasing firm, Hines Furlong is a key component of Kentucky’s river economy,” McCracken County Judge/Executive Craig Clymer said. “It provides essential capacity for moving bulk commodities on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers through Kentucky, and particularly Paducah [and] McCracken County. Its investments in modern vessels, shipyard services and Kentucky-based crews strengthen regional commerce, support local jobs and help ensure reliability of river transportation relied upon by many Kentucky industries.”
“Hines Furlong Line’s investment represents a tremendous opportunity for Paducah and McCracken County,” Paducah Mayor George Bray said. “This investment reinforces Paducah’s position as the leader in the inland waterways. As a family-owned company, Hines Furlong Line embodies the values of hard work, innovation and commitment that define our region. We deeply appreciate and enthusiastically support Hines Furlong Line’s decision to grow and invest in our community.”
As part of the project, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) gave preliminarily approval of a 15-year incentive agreement with the Hines Furlong Line under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $10.7 million and by reaching annual targets of creating 50 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs over 15 years that pay an average hourly wage of $42.82, including benefits. The agreement also includes recruitment, job placement and workforce development support from the state.
