By Brenna Angel
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The city of Lexington asked one of the world's most famous jewelers for its hand in business, and Tiffany & Co. said yes. Officials broke ground Wednesday on construction of a 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility at Blue Grass Business Park.
"We narrowed it down to five states, five cities, and we visited each one of those locations, met with economic development offices. The most attractive and beneficial offer for us was coming from Lexington," said John Petterson, Vice President of operations and manufacturing at Tiffany & Co. "But it was also the feel of the community here. It's the continuous support, the interest in bringing us here, and certainly some of the financial incentives that bringing us here."
Petterson expects the facility to open by next April or May. It will eventually employ about 125 people making fine jewelry and engagement rings.
"We're actually making product here in Lexington today. We're using temporary space. And we felt it was really important to get people trained to our quality level, which is the finest quality in the world, and start production now if we could. And we have."
Tiffany & Co. received $2.4-million in state tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program.