The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED) on Wednesday mistakenly highlighted Bel Brands in a Facebook post celebrating National Cheese Day.
The since deleted post read:
“Today, we’re celebrating National Cheese Day with The Laughing Cow USA in Leitchfield, KY. Did you know that nearly 400 employees work at their manufacturing facility and produce more than 350 million wedges annually? Since 1975, they have provided Kentuckians with quality jobs and opportunities while crafting exceptional cheese. We’re ‘grate’ -ful for all that they do.”
KCED and its Secretary Jeff Noel evidently were not aware that Bel Brands USA announced in early December that the company is closing its Leitchfield plant. The company opened the plant in 1970 (not 1975 as noted in the KCED’s post) after purchasing Avalon Cheese.
Taryn Clark, with Bel Brands U.S. Corporate Communications, told Leitchfield Mayor Harold Miller and Grayson Co. Judge-executive Kevin Henderson that the plant was being closed because the organization did not feel it was financially feasible to invest in the necessary infrastructure at the 185,000-square-foot facility to keep it operational for the next several decades.
(Photo: A since deleted Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Facebook post promoting Bel Brands in Leitchfield)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
