Asahi Bluegrass Forge Corporation of Richmond, Ky., broke ground in mid-April for a 69,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The new plant, which could be in operation by early 2012, represents a financial investment in excess of $20 million and is expected to result in the creation of 50 new jobs. The Japanese-owned company will specialize in forgings for the automotive industry and produce gears, bearings, joints and transmission parts.