GLASGOW, KY — For five years, the old R.R. Donnelley building on Donnelley Drive sat mostly quiet — a 764,000-square-foot reminder of what used to be. One maintenance worker kept the lights on and the roof from caving in. Now, that chapter is officially over.
Tate Inc., a global leader in data center infrastructure solutions and a subsidiary of Ireland-based Kingspan Group PLC, has completed the acquisition of the 211-acre property at 120 Donnelley Drive in Glasgow — and the company is wasting no time transforming it into what will be its largest North American manufacturing facility.
The Biggest Economic Development Deal in Barren County in 18 Years
The $61.2 million investment was officially announced by Governor Andy Beshear in October 2025, and the deal was finalized when Tate CEO Daniel Kennedy signed the acquisition documents on November 4, 2025. The project represents the largest economic development investment in Barren County in nearly two decades — and it beat out several other competing states to land here.
“This is a once-in-a-generation milestone for Glasgow,” said Mayor Henry Royse at the announcement. “The creation of 400 new jobs speaks volumes about the strength of our community and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd echoed that sentiment, saying the deal means “more families supported, more dreams realized, and a stronger foundation for our local economy.”
What Tate Actually Makes — and Why It Matters Right Now
Tate manufactures high-performance thermal management and airflow solutions — the racks, raised floors, and cooling systems that data centers depend on. This isn’t a random industry landing in Glasgow. Data center construction is booming across the Southeast and Midwest, with a facility under consideration for Simpson County near the Tennessee state line. Glasgow is now positioned right in the middle of that supply chain.
Once fully operational, the Glasgow facility will be Tate’s primary North American production hub for those critical data center components.
Hiring Has Already Started
Tate began hiring for Glasgow positions in late January 2026. The Glasgow City Council approved up to $85 million in industrial revenue bonds in January to support the project. Public records indicate the average hourly wage for positions at the facility will be $35 — well above regional averages.
The Barren County Economic Development Authority has set up a dedicated hiring portal through Kingspan Group’s job board. Salaried roles have been the first wave, with floor staff hiring expected to ramp up as the renovation progresses. Renovation crews are already on site, with a maintenance team working to bring the 1968-built structure up to modern production standards.
Tony Glass, who has served as the building’s maintenance supervisor for over 20 years — including the quiet years when his main job was keeping the structure from falling apart — summed up what the moment means for people who never gave up on Glasgow: “I’ve thought about leaving, but there is so much history with this building. I’m really excited about this.”
What This Means for South Central Kentucky
Four hundred full-time manufacturing jobs at $35/hour average doesn’t just change Barren County — it ripples across the entire South Central Kentucky region. More paychecks mean more spending at local businesses, more demand for housing, and more pressure on local governments and schools to meet the needs of a growing workforce.
For a region that watched the Donnelley building go dark in 2020, this is more than an economic development headline. It’s proof that South Central Kentucky is open for business — and that the right opportunity, in the right hands, can turn a ghost into an engine.
TEG Report covers South Central Kentucky. Follow us on Facebook at TEG Exchange for daily updates.