05/28/2026
Happening in our Area:
From the Governor's office today. Abastos expansion at the old H&S Hardware building!
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Scottie Ellis
502-401-6933
Brandon Mattingly
502-782-2006
Gov. Beshear: Abastos Wholesale To Expand Louisville Operation With $10.3 Million Investment, Creating 20 New Jobs
Distributor and supply chain partner delivers fresh goods to markets in multiple states
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 28, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted continued momentum within the state’s distribution and logistics sector, as Abastos Wholesale, a specialized distributor and supply chain partner, will expand its Louisville operation with a $10.3 million investment, creating 20 new Kentucky jobs.
“Companies like Abastos Wholesale recognize the logistical advantages that come with being located in the commonwealth, which positions any company for success when it comes to logistics and distribution,” said Gov. Beshear. “This project is a result of the ongoing commitment to the work the company does and its employees and will add 20 new job opportunities to the Louisville community. I want to congratulate Abastos on this exciting next step and look forward to its continued success.”
To meet current and expected company growth, Abastos will expand its current facility in Louisville. The project will double the company’s current operational space and will include significant building renovations to add a large warehouse and administrative and technological offices. Abastos will add 20 new jobs with the expansion, including logistics positions for inventory control, fulfillment, packaging and shipping, and technology positions to maintain and expand logistical software.
“Abastos Wholesale is making a $10.3 million investment in our home – Kentucky! We were founded in Louisville, and our roots are here,” said Alejandro Ruiz Gonzalez, president of Abastos. “As a tree grows, its roots grow deeper; much like our commitment and investment in the commonwealth. Kentucky’s multicultural and dynamic food scene has created fertile ground for Abastos to expand our markets and feed our roots as a hometown company. Louisville’s central location has further allowed us to branch out to serve a multistate region. We would like to thank Gov. Beshear and the commonwealth of Kentucky for their support now and in the future. We are proud to be a part of Team Kentucky!”
Abastos is a specialized distributor and a supply chain partner, sourcing authentic products – including specialty foods, beverages, produce and restaurant supplies – directly from Mexico, Latin America or specialized importers to sell in bulk to restaurants, grocery stores and food service providers. The company also sources produce and products grown in the commonwealth, and supports Kentucky’s thriving agriculture industry. The company offers over 900 different products and ingredients, such as specific chili varieties, cheeses, tortillas, seasonings and drinks. Abastos’ experience and expertise in managing complex logistics includes cross-border transportation, warehousing and delivery to ensure fresh inventory.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg highlighted the company’s growth within the community: “Congratulations to Abastos Wholesale on the announcement of its new, expanded facility in South Louisville. Not only does this project represent Abastos doubling its physical footprint, adding new jobs and investing over $10 million in Louisville, it also shows our community has the resources to grow small, locally owned diverse businesses into economic powerhouses.”
Trevor Pawl, CEO of One Louisville, noted the impressive success of the company: “Abastos Wholesale is the perfect example of a Louisville success story – a business born and grown in the south end who’s expanding their reach across the Midwest region. This expansion is a testament to how Louisville lifts up our entrepreneurs, who in turn drive investment back into our city.”
Abastos Wholesale’s investment and job creation furthers what has been the best six-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $50 billion in announced investments, creating more than 70,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $29 billion more than the next highest total.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County, among others.
In February, the Governor announced Kentucky once again set an all-time record for products shipped globally, with $50.6 billion in exports in 2025, representing a 5.65% increase over 2024.
Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between December 2024 and December 2025.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
In addition, Kentucky has secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $500,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $10.3 million and annual targets of:
Creation and maintenance of 20 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and
Paying an average hourly wage of $31.50, including benefits, across those jobs.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, the company can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
For more information on Abastos Wholesale, visit abastoswholesale.com.
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Official account of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.
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