Takigawa Corp., a Japan-based flexible packaging and high-performance films producer, will create 180 full-time jobs with a nearly $46 million investment to locate its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Bardstown, Kentucky The company will construct a 180,000-square-foot facility on a greenfield site in Bardstown in an effort to meet growing demand. The operation will primarily serve high-impact packaging for high-impact brands.“After conducting a lengthy national site selection process, Takigawa is excited to have selected Bardstown, Kentucky as the home of our new US facility,” said Hiroyuki Takigawa, President of Takigawa Corp. Japan. “The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Bardstown’s leadership made us feel welcome from the first visit to the last and exceeded our expectations in providing for all of our needs. We look forward to a long and prosperous economic partnership with the City of Bardstown.”To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority ( KEDFA ) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. Takigawa also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network.“Kentucky’s food and beverage industry has grown consistently in recent years, and that momentum continued with the addition of Takigawa,” said Governor Matt Bevin. “I commend the economic development teams at both the state and local level for helping to bring this amazing company to Kentucky. This will be a fantastic addition to the corporate community in Nelson County. We are grateful to Takigawa for this decision and welcome them to the commonwealth.”