An international company last week announced that it’ll open an aluminum manufacturing facility at the Kentucky Transpark — creating 331 jobs.

The facility will function as a full-cycle production hub with advanced extrusion, anodizing, and finishing capabilities aligned with U.S. energy and environmental standards, according to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. The company, AKFA Aluminum Solutions US LLC, is a division of Uzbekistan’s AKFA Group, one of the largest industrial companies in Central Asia — comprising over 8,000 employees across 20 facilities and producing up to 100,000 tons of product annually for markets that include construction, transportation and renewable energy, according to the Chamber.

“AKFA’s decision to locate in the Kentucky Transpark reinforces the park’s role as a magnet for innovative, global manufacturers,” Brian Mefford, chairman of the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority, wrote in a statement. “Their presence strengthens South Central Kentucky’s position as a launchpad for international companies scaling in the U.S. market.”

The Chamber described the plan as reinforcing the region’s expanding reputation in sustainable and advanced manufacturing — integrating energy-efficient systems and recycling aluminum billets to support a low-carbon supply chain.

“AKFA’s investment is transformational — not just for Bowling Green, but for Kentucky’s position on the global manufacturing map,” Chamber Interim President and CEO Meredith Wilson stated. “This project represents forward-thinking, high-impact investment that aligns with our strategy: global innovation, advanced manufacturing, and quality jobs for our residents.”

It also marks the first time an Uzbekistani company has launched a manufacturing operation in the U.S., the Chamber stated. It “represents a breakthrough for U.S.–Uzbekistan trade relations and global supply chain development,” according to the Chamber.

“This is more than a facility — it is a bridge between two nations,” wrote Ilhom Abiev, a representative for AKFA Aluminum Solutions US LLC, in a statement. “We chose Kentucky because it offers everything we value — strategic location, skilled talent, and a forward-looking community that believes in innovation. This investment represents not only growth for our company, but a relationship built on trust, technology and shared opportunity.”

Local and regional leaders shared praise for the project in the release.

“With AKFA, we’re not just adding jobs — we’re building new connections across continents and proving that South Central Kentucky is ready to compete and win in the global economy,” Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman stated.

Added Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott, “AKFA’s decision to locate in Bowling Green sends a powerful message about who we are as a community. We’re a city that welcomes global innovators, values hard work, and builds the partnerships that make world-class projects possible.”