Kentucky Shatters All-Time Investment Record

Less than halfway through 2017, the state has attracted nearly $5.8 billion in corporate investments and is also on pace to create most new jobs since 2006.

In fewer than five months, companies pledged nearly $5.8 billion in new facility investments and expansion projects in Kentucky, already eclipsing the state’s full-year record from 2015 of $5.1 billion, according to Governor Matt Bevin.

Greenup County Kentucky
Braidy Industries is the latest company to announce a major investment, with its $1.3 billion aluminum rolling mill in Greenup County, which will create 550 full-time jobs. (Photo: Braidy Industries Inc.)

These corporate investments also put Kentucky on pace this year to create the greatest number of new jobs in a decade. To date in 2017, more than 9,500 new jobs have been announced, with the numbers for both jobs and investment increasing daily.

“We are delighted by the fact that here, not even yet to the end of May, we are already in excess of $5.8 billion in economic development investment,” said Gov. Bevin. “The net result is a sense of enthusiasm within the business community like never before about Kentucky. The world truly is watching the Commonwealth, and we’re just getting warmed up.”

More than $3 billion in announcements spearhead this year’s economic development activity. In January, Amazon announced it would locate its Prime Air hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Hebron, a $1.49 billion investment that will create 2,700 jobs. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, followed with plans to invest $1.33 billion for its Reborn project that secures its 8,200 jobs and overhauls the facility to increase manufacturing flexibility. Braidy Industries was the latest company to announce a billion-dollar enterprise with the announcement it will construct a $1.3 billion aluminum rolling mill in Greenup County in Eastern Kentucky, which will create 550 full-time jobs.

Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Terry Gill noted the investments and jobs slated for smaller cities and rural counties can mean just as much.

“Dozens of other projects announced this year also propelled Kentucky to its all-time investment record. They form the fabric of job opportunities and economic stability that stretches across the state. In many senses, the 10 and 35 and 50-job projects are just as important as the billion-dollar investments,” Sec. Gill said.

“Achieving these results truly takes strong relationships between governments, businesses, educational institutions and non-profits,” Gill added. “This success speaks to Kentucky’s tremendous network of city, county and regional developers, utility providers and higher education organizations. From rapid coordination across state agencies to establishing custom workforce programs that will train employees for years to come – the efforts by all partners make the case why businesses should think Kentucky.”

Among the 71 projects announced are 46 manufacturing-related and 25 in the service and technology sector. Top industries include distribution and logistics, automotive, general manufacturing and primary metals production.

Breaking the trend of years past, new location announcements outpaced expansions in dollar amounts. Through 2017 to date, $3.4 billion in new facilities have been announced as well as more than $2.3 billion in expansion projects at existing locations.

So far, 18 internationally owned companies have pledged nearly $1.8 billion in new investments, which are expected to create 2,160 jobs. By investment amount, Japan, India and Germany rank as the state’s top international investors.

“I said prior to the start of the 2017 Session that our focus would be creating Kentucky jobs and improving the business climate in the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “With the help of my colleagues, especially House Speaker Hoover and Governor Bevin, we have successfully achieved our goals, and this announcement is proof that we have kept our promises.

“We have broken the record for corporate investments over one year, but we still have seven months to go, and I assure you there will be more to come,” Stivers added. “There may not be any more billion-dollar investment announcements in 2017 – although with Governor Bevin, you never really know – but there will be more announcements of companies creating 30-40 jobs and making smaller investments in our communities; and in many communities, those announcements will be significant.”

A complete list of the relocation and expansion projects announced this year is available at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development website.

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