Gov. Matt Bevin says Euro Sticks Group, a manufacturer of ice cream and coffee stir sticks, plans to open a facility in Corbin.

The facility will provide 90 jobs and come with an initial $15 million investment.

“Abundant beech resources and the availability of quality manpower were major factors in our decision to locate our new plant in Kentucky. We also received a warm, professional welcome from the local Corbin team,” said Frédéric Debacker, Euro Sticks president and owner. “We look forward to operating a successful manufacturing operation that contributes to the Kentucky economy.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Euro Sticks for tax incentives up to $3 million, according to a release from the governor's office.

"They make 10 billion coffee stirrers and popsicle sticks every single year. 10 billion of them. They're going to produce 2 billion of them right here in Kentucky,” said Governor Matt Bevin, when talking about ‘Euro Sticks’, a French company, looking for a presence in North America.

Corbin officials are looking to provide the foundation for that presence.

"Part of the reason was, again, the fact that we had this building available and our supply of beech wood; but they really fell in love with our community,” explained Bruce Carpenter, with the Corbin Economic Development Agency and Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority.

There are still some details to work out logistically, but if everything goes as planned, the factory could be open and running by January 1.

Government officials estimate the new factory will create 90 new jobs in Corbin.

"People who are going to be able to buy gifts for their family at Christmas time; be able to put their kids through school; people who are able to put their kids through extra activities, be able to buy things through the open market place. This is the American dream,” explained Bevin.

The facility spans 57,600 square feet.

"Nothing is completed in here as far as the fit out for the building but this allows a company to come in and design the finished part of the building that best fits their needs,” said Carpenter.

The company, at its Corbin base, will be known as “North American Sticks”.