Wabash National Corp., a manufacturer of semi trailers in North America, will build a new manufacturing facility in Franklin. The project is expected to result in up to 460 new fulltime jobs within two years of the project’s completion.

The Lafayette, Ind.-based company plans to acquire 60 acres in the Sanders Interstate Industrial Park in Simpson County and will construct a 300,000 square foot facility. Total project costs are estimated to be about $26 million.

The company operates two wholly owned subsidiaries, Transcraft Corp., a manufacturer of flatbed and drop deck trailers, and Wabash National Trailer Centers, trailer service centers and retail distributors of new and used trailers, as well as aftermarket parts throughout the United States.

“The selection of Kentucky as the location for this plant is the result of outstanding collaboration between Wabash National, the commonwealth of Kentucky, and several local governmental and economic development entities,” said Joe Zachman, senior vice president of manufacturing for Wabash National. “We would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations who worked hard to help make Franklin the location of choice.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved Wabash National for tax benefits up to $4 million under the Kentucky Industrial Development Act, an incentive program designed to attract and expand manufacturing employment in the state.

“This has been an outstanding project to work on and we are delighted in Wabash National’s decision to make Kentucky its newest location,” said John Hindman, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Wabash National for years to come.”