James Composites To Produce Barge Covers

James Composites, which shares ownership with James Marine, has announced plans for a $5.8 million facility to produce fiberglass barge covers in Calvert City, Ky.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the plans February 9, saying the facility will create 25 full-time jobs. Jeff James, managing member of James Composites and president/CEO of James Marine, said there is the potential for additional jobs as well, depending on customer demand once operations are underway.

“James Composites is offering an alternative option to the inland barge market for fiberglass covers used in protecting bulk commodities in hopper barges from weather and debris,” James said. “The product will be very similar to what is currently in the market, with a few design changes.”

The company expects to begin construction on the new manufacturing facility in the second quarter of this year, with production anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2027. It will be housed in a 36,250 square foot pre-engineered metal building at 390 Riverside Lane.

The facility will allow direct access to the Tennessee River through the site’s marine ways system. The location is adjacent to James Marine subsidiaries Paducah River Painting and JamesBuilt. Paducah River Painting provides blasting and painting services for barges. JamesBuilt provides specialty construction of barges, towboats and dry docks. JamesBuilt also has a repair division on site capable of handling large repair projects for barges, as well as minor, quick turnaround repairs, James said.

“These companies use a patented rail system to remove barges from the river and move them about on land to complete their work,” he said. “The facility also recently acquired four Scheuerle SPMT PowerHoss 180 units, which have the ability to move barges at the facility without the use of the rail system, allowing barges to be moved anywhere on the 330-acre property.”

James Composites will be housed next to JamesBuilt’s new construction facility, which James said will provide synergies with labor and also ease of loading of the barge covers.

“The existing infrastructure and equipment will allow a customer barge to be removed from the river using the railway system, brought to the James Composites manufacturing building via the barge movers, and the newly manufactured barge covers can then be stacked and loaded onto the customer barge and then returned to the river, effectively completing a bulk delivery of the barge covers to the customer,” he said.

James Composites LLC was organized in April 2025. It is part of the James Marine family of companies, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Paducah, Ky. James Marine and its subsidiaries are family owned, and their services to the inland river industry include towboat and barge repairs; new construction and painting of towboats, barges and dry docks; groceries, supplies and fueling; and towing, chartering, harbor and fleet services.

“We are pleased to see James Composites choosing to locate in Marshall County,” Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs said. “This project brings new opportunity to our community, supports local jobs and adds to the momentum we continue to build across the Kentucky Lake region. Investments like this help ensure a strong, diverse economy that benefits our residents and strengthens our future.”

Elizabeth Griffith Mudd, president of Kentucky Lake Economic Development, said the project came about after she visited with James Marine representatives and spoke to them about their operations, plans and needs for the future.

“I love it when I can help the existing businesses we have grow,” she said.

Mudd added that, while bringing new businesses to the region is key, 80 percent of new job growth comes from within existing businesses, so it is also important to work closely with them to support their continued growth and expansion.

Calvert City Mayor Gene Colburn said the area is known for having a strong local workforce.

“Any time we see an expansion from an existing business, it’s exciting for Calvert City, because it speaks to the strength of our community and the importance of retaining the companies that already believe in this region,” he said. “Investing in homegrown businesses with proven success is a smart bet, and it keeps that momentum building right here at home. Having a company like James Marine invest and expand through James Composites is a strong sign that our location, our workforce and our access to the inland waterways continue to make Calvert City a prime economic driver for Marshall County and western Kentucky.”