July 2017 Newsletter

With nearly $6.8 billion in corporate investments this year, Kentucky shatters all-time record

State also on pace to create most new jobs since 2006

Since Gov. Matt Bevin stood in front of the Capitol this spring and announced a record-shattering corporate-investment high for Kentucky, the state attracted another $1 billion-plus in new projects, which rocketed this year’s planned investments to nearly $6.8 billion.

Halfway through 2017, the state far outpaced its previous, full-year record from 2015 of $5.1 billion in new corporate investment. The 87 individual corporate projects also put Kentucky on pace this year to create the greatest number of new jobs in a decade. Through June, nearly 10,500 new jobs have been announced. And the numbers for both jobs and investment are increasing daily.

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Paris Air Show Keidanren

Gov. Bevin, Sec. Gill Join Eastern Kentucky Delegation at Paris Air Show

Group met with aviation, aerospace executives to promote industry growth in the commonwealth

Aviation and aerospace manufacturing is soaring in Kentucky, and state officials are taking steps to ensure the sky is the limit for the booming industry.

Gov. Matt Bevin, Cabinet for Economic Development Sec. Terry Gill and other state officials recently joined representatives from One East Kentucky, Ashland Alliance and AEP Kentucky Power to attend the 52nd International Paris Air Show in France. Executives from Eastern Kentucky’s recently announced aerospace and automotive aluminum supplier, Braidy Industries, also attended, including Craig Bouchard, the company’s founder and CEO. The group met with industry leaders from around the globe to discuss new business and expansion opportunities in the commonwealth...

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Japanese business federation, Keidanren, finds strong industries, opportunity during Kentucky visit

Ties between Kentucky and Japan are strong and opportunities for new business may have never been greater.

So compelling, in fact, that a delegation of 19 corporate executives from Japan’s business federation, called Keidanren, recently spent two days touring Kentucky learning more about the existing relationship and identifying areas for additional investment. Masami Kinefuchi, consul-general of Japan in Nashville, organized the visit and attended...

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Vivek Sarin looks to match Kentucky workforce with growing industry

CED executive officer discusses recent visit to SelectUSA Investment Summit

Vivek Sarin was named executive officer within the Cabinet for Economic Development in May, and he hit the ground running, identifying and addressing issues within Kentucky’s workforce.

Sarin arrived at the cabinet with no shortage of experience, having more than 25 years in industry, including more than two decades in manufacturing at the helm of Shelby Industries LLC in Shelbyville and as founder and president of Juvo Co., a professional services firm...

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Select USA

KY FAME Prepares for Record Enrollment in Fall

Kyndle FAME in Henderson is the latest chapter to join statewide apprenticeship program

Kentucky manufacturers have taken steps to improve the quality of the state’s available workforce, and those efforts are beginning to pay major dividends for companies.

A major part of that initiative is the Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME), which has helped 232 students earn associate’s degrees thus far while earning valuable on-the-job training. Perhaps the greatest indication of the program’s growth is the expected enrollment of more than 650 students to the program this fall...

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Kentucky Work Ready Skills Initiative names second-round projects for workforce training funds

Kentucky is experiencing a workforce revolution right now and a major thrust in that effort is Work Ready Skills Initiative (WRSI), which helps ensure businesses can source the skilled workers they need.

WRSI, funded by $100 million state-issued bonds, brings together private employers, higher-education institutions, high schools, technical schools and community, regional and state development organizations on projects that will train and enhance their region’s workforce...

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Kentucky Work Ready Skills Initiative

Gearing Up for AutoVision 2017

Third annual event offers more networking opportunities than ever

If you want to know more about the automotive industry’s changing fuel-efficiency standards, the potential impact of the proposed border adjustment tax or what workforce initiatives are being formed throughout Kentucky, there’s only one place to find out what’s next: AutoVision 2017...

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Gold Shovel Primary Metals

Kentucky Earns First Gold Shovel Award

Area Development magazine recognizes commonwealth for 2016 economic development achievements

Kentucky has made a name for itself with its economic development accomplishments in recent years, having earned Area Development magazine’s Silver Shovel Award seven times over the past decade. Though the state has already broken its all-time investment record this year, 2016 set a gold standard in its own right as Kentucky earned its first Gold Shovel award for attracting corporate investment and job creation...

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Rolling hard: Kentucky’s primary metals industry bulks up as demand soars

Already a pillar industry in Kentucky employing more than 27,000 people, the primary metals sector saw significant announcements of new investments and additional jobs planned during the first half of the year.

The industry - which includes metals producers and related downstream processing companies – saw more than $1.77 billion in new-location and expansion projects announced. Those are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs in the coming years...

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Recent Announcements

Wright-Mix Material Solutions LLC
Wurtland


ShellTech LLC
Pulaski County


Adkev Inc.
Boyle County


Bluegrass Supply Chain Services LLC
Bullitt County


Maxim Crane Works LP
Campbell County


Georgia LLC
Whitley County


Thoroughbred Aviation Maintenance Inc.
Big Sandy

Wilderness Trail Distillery
Boyle County


Nucor Steel
Ghent


Tri-Arrows Aluminum
Western Kentucky


Diversified Consultants
Louisville


Camtech Manufacturing Solutions, LLC
Science Hill


Valvoline
Lexington


LINAK
Louisville

Kentucky Economic Development Guide

Did You Know?

The 2017 Kentucky Economic Development Guide is now available. Produced in partnership with Conway Inc., the 100+ page guide features articles, facts and figures about Kentucky’s economy and the state’s recent economic development achievements. The guide includes a profile of the massive Amazon project as well as features on such topics as logistics, the automotive industry, primary metals, food and beverages, health sciences, wood products and corporate offices. Workforce initiatives, community profiles and economic statistics are also included.

There are more than 300 food and beverage-related facilities in Kentucky, with 50,000+ employees?

For more food and beverage-industry facts, click the brochure below.