Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
What’s
Online
Take a video tour
of the Bluegrass
State
Proof of Success
Bourbon distillers pour
Road
money into facilities
Workstyle
Road Scholars 28
Kentucky leads in auto innovation
and what fuels them.
Lab Partners 40
A booming bioscience sector gets a
Worldwide Appeal 52
Kentucky companies find global markets
are a passport to growth.
Proof of Success 62
Bourbon distillers pour new investment
dollars into Kentucky.
62 On the Cover Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear with the 2010 Toyota
Camry LE, 2010 GM Corvette ZR1 and 2011 Ford Super Duty F250,
all made in Kentucky. Photo by Brian Mccord
KYEDG.com 7
Insight
Overview 17
Business Almanac 18
Business Climate 22
Energy/Technology 76
Transportation 82
Livability
Health 88
Education 94
‘You’ll Never Want To Leave’ 100
100
KYEDG.com 9
Discover unlimited
Possibilities!
location:
• Within a day’s drive of 60%
of the US population
• Adjacent to US 23
four-lane highway
support:
• State incentives
• Local incentives
• Workforce development
Features:
• Low-cost power
• Natural gas
• Reasonable price
benefits:
• Lower operating cost
• Greater profit potential
GAteWAY reGioNAl
bUsiNess PArK
P.O. Box 186 • Jenkins, KY 41537
606-438-1265
Cabinet for Economic Development E-mail: joedepriest@msn.com
kentucky
economic development guide
2010 Edition , volum e 2
KYEDG.com 11
Big Sandy
Regional Industrial
Development Authority
Floyd – Johnson – Magoffin – Martin – Pike
• 334-Acre
Industrial Park
• 54,700-Sq.-Ft.
Speculative Building
(606) 886-2374
www.bsrida.org
• Attractive incentives for
business and industry
• Industrial park and spec
building available
• Historic charm
• Easy access
• Central location in US
• Award-winning community
• Charming and relaxing
atmosphere – even
Mr. and Mrs. C visit
Greensburg/Green County
Industrial Foundation
110 W. Court St.
Greensburg, KY 42743
(270) 932-4298
director@greensburgonline.com
www.GreensburgOnline.com
KYEDG.com 13
14 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 15
COMMuNITY WILL OffER A STRuCTuRED LEASE
OR SELL puRCHASE AGREEMENT ON ALL buILDINGS.
HICKMAN, KY
All buildings are locally controlled and available for immediate possession
We are located within one day’s drive from 60% of the US population and close to
all major shipping lanes in the US
Hickman – Fulton County River port located at mile marker 922 on the Mississippi River
EXISTING BUILDING
FULTON, KY 60,000 SQ. FT. WITH 55,000 SQ. FT. CLINTON, KY
AN EXPANSION OF
40,000 SQ. FT
SHOWING A TOTAL
OF 100,000 SQ. FT.
KYEDG.com 17
Almanac
Batter Up!
Since 1884, Louisville Slugger has put prime
lumber in the hands of the greatest players in
baseball. The family-owned Hillerich & Bradsby
Co. turns out the bats that have been used by
generations of players from Little League to
Major League Baseball. The company, which
makes its bats and operates a museum in
downtown Louisville, celebrated its 125th
anniversary in 2009. The museum includes a
wealth of memorabilia and interactive exhibits.
For information on visiting the museum, go to
www.sluggermuseum.org.
18 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Write it Down
Cynthiana in Harrison County
boasts several manufacturing
companies making a number
of products. Perhaps none
is as well known as the
450,000-square-foot 3M plant,
which makes some 672 varieties
of the familiar Post-it Notes,
Post-it Easels and other
Post-it products.
The plant, which employs more
than 500 people, also makes
Scotch-brand packaging and
mailing tape.
On a Roll in
Bowling Green
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
is tops in class.
The organization was named 2009 Chamber of
the Year in its size category by the American
Chamber of Commerce Executives.
To earn the recognition, a chamber must first
qualify based on seven criteria related to net
income, assets, and partner retention dollars and
accounts. Only the top-ranked chambers are then
invited to complete an application that provides a
comprehensive view of their success based on Blanket Knowledge
financial and partnership performance, as well as The National Quilt Museum of the United States
their communication and community programs. in Paducah collects, preserves and shares the
The final component of the process, for the three traditions of quilt making, one square at a time.
highest ranked chambers, is an interview with a More than 40,000 visitors tour the museum’s
panel of experienced chamber professionals. three galleries each year to see traveling exhibits
Since 2007, the Bowling Green chamber has and the permanent collection. Exhibits change
participated in 35 industry expansion or new regularly, with approximately a dozen new shows
investment projects totaling nearly $139 million annually. The permanent collection includes more
and creating 2,091 jobs. For more on the than 300 quilts created by more than 333 quilt
chamber, go to www.bgchamber.com. makers. A key feature of the museum is an
extensive collection of miniature quilts, which are
no larger than 24 inches by 24 inches. For more,
go to www.quiltmuseum.org.
KYEDG.com 19
20 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Getting to the Root of Bluegrass
Kentucky puts the bluegrass in music, and its contributions to the uniquely American
musical art form can be seen and heard at the International Bluegrass Music Museum in
Owensboro. The 22,000-square-foot museum includes exhibits on bluegrass pioneer
Bill Monroe, historically significant instruments such as Pete Seeger’s banjo, a time line
of milestones in bluegrass music history and a replica 1950s café that hosts live
performances and has a jukebox featuring traditional and contemporary bluegrass songs.
For more on the museum, go to www.bluegrassmuseum.org.
Recipe for
an Expansion
Bremner Food Group, the nation’s
largest supplier of private-label
cookies and crackers, is sweet on
Princeton in Caldwell County, where
the company makes everything from
Saltines and Graham Crackers to Fig
Bars and Animal Crackers, and also
produces Shredded Wheat and a
private-label version of Triscuits.
Bremner, a subsidiary of Ralcorp
Holdings, is installing new production
lines, relocating production lines
from other facilities and increasing
its warehouse space to handle
increased capacity in a $62.1 million
expansion that will add 111 full-time
jobs to the current workforce of 600.
The company came to Princeton
in 1993. The Kentucky Economic
Development Finance Authority
Underground Attraction
preliminarily approved Bremner Mammoth Cave National Park includes the longest recorded cave
Food Group for tax benefits of up system in the world, with more than 367 miles explored and mapped.
to $5 million under the Kentucky The first human is believed to have entered Mammoth Cave about
Business Investment program to 4,000 years ago. The park was established in 1941 to preserve the cave
aid the expansion. system, including Mammoth Cave, the scenic river valleys of the Green
and Nolin rivers, and a portion of the hilly country of south central
Kentucky. Several different cave tour packages are available, and the
park includes three developed campgrounds and more than a dozen
primitive camping sites in the back country and along the Green and
Nolin rivers. Go to www.nps.gov/maca for more.
KYEDG.com 21
Business Climate
resources
low cost
innovative
22 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Sweetening the Pot
Incentive program boosts business recruitment, retention
H
elping Kentucky’s businesses assistance through the Kentucky out and survey a lot of different
thrive is a chief goal of Gov. Reinvestment Act, putting a focus on stakeholders about incentives, and
Steve Beshear and state existing manufacturers making a also talk to local communities about
legislators, and never was that aim significant capital investment in a what they need to attract businesses.
more visible than in 2009, when the Kentucky facility in order to remain That information and research led
governor signed the Incentives for a competitive. to this package, which will grow
New Kentucky bill into law, increasing Multiple changes within the jobs and help us be competitive in
the state’s competitive advantages. restructuring mean Kentucky can the marketplace.”
The legislation updates economic compete with any state, region or even Just as important, Thompson says,
development incentives utilized by the country when it comes to business the incentives are performance-based,
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic recruitment and development, says so businesses have to hit specific
Development to attract, expand and state Rep. Tommy Thompson of benchmarks with jobs and revenue
retain business. A key component of Owensboro, who sponsored the before any tax abatement or other
the legislation streamlines and bill in the Kentucky House of financial packages are created.
consolidates four longstanding Representatives. Everything from breaks for
programs into the new Kentucky “We discerned that our economic retooling machinery and retaining
Business Investment Program, development incentives were a bit employees have been factored into the
or KBI, a more flexible program outdated, and they just weren’t new rules and regulations, so existing
offering income tax credits and market-tested in terms of being what businesses fare just as well as new
wage assessments to new and industries are looking for today in companies being lured into an area.
expanding businesses. terms of location and investment That helps the state expand existing
Along with numerous other tax incentives,” Thompson says. “The industry sectors and maintain a stable
benefits, the bill also enhances state governor challenged the cabinet to go workforce, says Larry Hayes, secretary
KYEDG.com 23
Rep. Tommy Thompson of Owensboro
sponsored legislation that makes the state
more attractive to businesses.
More Insight
Under the newly created
Kentucky Business Investment
Program (KBI), the state will
provide income tax credits and
wage assessments to new and
existing agribusinesses,
regional and national
headquarters, manufacturing
companies, and nonretail
service or technology-related
companies that locate or
expand operations in Kentucky.
The legislation also:
• Creates a new sales
and use tax refund for
companies that are heavy
users of computer and
telecommunications
equipment
24 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 25
26 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
A Focus on Jobs and Investment
Gov. Beshear: Retooled incentives put Kentucky in strong competitive position
Q: As the national economy Kentucky Reinvestment Act to Bremner Food Group in Princeton,
improves, how do you see these upgrade their Kentucky facilities, Polyair Corp. in Bardstown and
upgraded incentive programs preserving more than 760 jobs. Kentuckiana Curb Co. in Louisville.
positioning Kentucky for new These projects alone represent
Others are utilizing programs such
investment? new investment of more than
as the Kentucky Business
A: The Incentives for a New $90 million.
Investment program to expand
Kentucky programs give Kentucky
operations in the Commonwealth. Companies across the Bluegrass
a new level of flexibility, allowing
Recent expansions include are benefiting from Kentucky’s
us to become a true partner with
businesses. In fact, we’re already Paducah Louisville Railway’s economic development efforts.
seeing results. headquarters in Paducah, – Joe Morris
KYEDG.com 27
Road
Scholars
Kentucky leads in auto
innovation and what fuels them
K
entucky is in the driver’s seat to
build the next generation of 672,277
vehicles and develop the new
$44,747
technology that will power them.
Long a center of automotive 680,424
manufacturing, the Bluegrass State 1,852,654
was a natural location for a joint
federal and state battery 780,727
manufacturing research center that
$39,977
will help develop and commercialize
power applications for advanced $47,644
1,484,084
vehicles, including hybrids. The effort
will support President Obama’s goal of
having 1 million plug-in, hybrid, Vehicle Production by State (2008)
electric vehicles on the road by 2015. Michigan
Argonne, the nation’s lead facility Ohio
for transportation-related research, is Kentucky
partnering with the Commonwealth, Missouri
University of Kentucky and University Alabama
of Louisville to establish the center in more at KYEDG.com
28 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 29
30 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Dav i d M u d d
A n t o n y B o s h i er
Greg Higdon, president of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers; Kentucky is generating new investment in auto-related innovation.
KYEDG.com 31
32 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
General Motors each have substantial and reinvestment in Louisville, a outside of Japan to build a hybrid
operations in Kentucky, which is project that could cost up to $600 product – a high-end Camry that
third among states in light vehicle million and make the plant capable of features the absolute latest in
production. assembling multiple types of fuel- technology,” says Rick Hesterberg,
Industry analysts point out that efficient vehicles. assistant manager for external affairs
Kentucky remains attractive to Since 1981, General Motors has in Georgetown.
automakers for a number of reasons, manufactured its iconic Corvette in A total of 6,600 full-time employees
including its central location and Bowling Green, the only location work at the massive facility, while
availability of low-cost power – the where the car is produced. another 1,300 work at the automaker’s
fourth lowest in the nation. In Georgetown, the Toyota plant Erlanger headquarters near the
“It’s quite amazing how low the that began operations in the fall of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky
energy costs are that Kentucky can 1988 has become the automaker’s International Airport. The Georgetown
provide for these facilities,” says Greg largest North American facility. The plant has the capacity to build 500,000
Higdon, president and CEO of the plant produces the Camry and Avalon engines each year plus parts for other
Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. sedans, Venza crossover and Camry Toyota facilities throughout the U.S.
Ford, a fixture in Kentucky since hybrid. Toyota has invested $5.3 “We have 90 direct suppliers in
1912, has two assembly operations in billion in recent upgrades in its Kentucky and provide them with
the Louisville area. The automaker has Georgetown operations. $2 billion in business annually,”
outlined plans for a major retooling “We became Toyota’s first plant Hesterberg says.
A n t o n y B o s h i er
KYEDG.com 33
34 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Retooled
and Ready
Kentucky crafts impressive roster
of advanced manufacturers
A
new generation of more advanced manufacturing is produce MAC Security Portals and other modular products.
helping keep Kentucky competitive, diversify its That’s another $1.7 million investment and 20 new jobs.
economy and pump more than $27 billion into the Nearly 100,000 people work in Kentucky’s advanced
state economy each year. manufacturing facilities. Just under 130 of them are in
Kentucky’s robust manufacturing base accounts for Lexington, at the Animal Safety and Life Sciences divisions
nearly 20 percent of the state’s GDP, although older factory of Neogen Corp. The company is based in Lansing, Mich.,
workers may not recognize some of the plants of today. A but the Kentucky operation includes production of
core of innovative and technologically advanced companies veterinary diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and wound-care
turn out aerospace components, safety equipment, products for domestic as well as farm animals. The Neogen
specialty chemicals, veterinary tools, defense systems, division makes research and diagnostic products that
biological research supplies and everything in between. include drug detection kits for forensic testing and horse
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has racing, a natural fit for a state where horses and horse
identified more than 740 advanced manufacturing facilities racing are major industries.
that call Kentucky home, and new projects or expansions The Lexington operation saw revenues increase 29
come on line every month. Grindmaster-Cecilware is percent for the year ending May 31, 2009, for a total of $57.7
expanding in Louisville, a $1.6 million investment that million, says Terri Morrical, vice president of animal safety.
will create 33 jobs. Blackhawk Composites, a startup “We’ve been doing extremely well. Every year we
manufacturer of advanced aerospace composite parts, typically add positions,” says Morrical, who started the life
is creating 30 jobs in Butler County and investing sciences company in 1990. Neogen bought it two years later,
$1.5 million. when the staff numbered 12 people.
Safetran Systems, which makes railroad crossing Spring 2010 brings the launch of additional drug
warning systems, is adding 150 workers as part of a $2.8 detection kits, plus products that can test for salmonella
million expansion at its facility in Marion. In Greenup at food-production sites, she says.
County, Price Solutions LLC is expanding its operation to Biological science is also the forte of Peptides
Conner Means works at Peptides International, located in Louisville, creating peptides for industry research.
KYEDG.com 35
Glasgow-Barren County
A GREAT IDEA!
IDEA = Industrial Development Economic Authority
working to promote the economic development of industrial, agricultural,
tourism and small business of Glasgow and Barren County. We work with all
federal, state and local agencies, and groups to accomplish these purposes.
• Low cost of conducting business, low real estate • Robust broadband network available to all points
pricing, low cost of living and low crime rate in the community, quality low cost, electric,
water, sewer and telecommunications
• Centrally located in the Eastern United States
within a day’s drive of half the nation’s population • Local governments, schools and utilities operate
and manufacturing employment a GIS consortium, which provides constantly
updated mapping
• New spec building completed (80,000 sq. ft. –
expandable to 120,000 sq. ft., 16-acre lot, • Excellent postsecondary education facilities
24-ft. ceiling, 320 ft. x 250 ft.) at new located in the community
Highland Glenn Industrial Park
• Thriving medical community with community-
• 300 acres of land available ranging from owned hospital
five-acre to 150-acre tracts at the new
Highland Glenn Industrial Park • CSX rail service throughout the community
KYEDG.com 37
When you stay with Hampton Inn
in Elizabethtown, you’re staying with friends.
Our place is yours, whether you’re here for
business, a Fort Knox graduation or vacationing
with friends or family. We love having you here!
38 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
GE Heats Up Appliance Park
New energy-efficient products spark $150M investment, 800 new jobs
Once a candidate for sale, A city within a city, Appliance a dryer, was shipped in 1953. GE
General Electric’s appliance Park is the global headquarters for estimates the complex produced
business, headquartered at GE Appliances & Lighting, spanning more than 185 million appliances
Appliance Park in Louisville, is 900 acres. The park includes 25 by the end of 2007. Today, GE
mounting a major comeback, one miles of rail line, and even boasts contributes more than $425 million
that has put it solidly on the its own ZIP code. Each annually to the Louisville economy.
front lines of green energy and manufacturing building could – Pamela Coyle
“smart” products. enclose 15 football fields. One
General Electric is investing warehouse is as big as six city
$150 million to bring in state-of- blocks. The first appliance
the-art appliance lines and manufactured at Appliance Park,
creating more than 800 jobs at
a site the company had once
considered selling. The sprawling
Louisville complex will soon
produce hybrid-electric water
heaters, energy-efficient, front-
loading washers and dryers,
and several new appliance
components.
The new hybrid technology will
allow GE to be the first U.S.
manufacturer to introduce a water
heater that meets the new U.S.
Department of Energy’s ENERGY
STAR standard for this new
category of hot water heaters.
The new washers and dryers
represent the latest in efficiency
technology and will be designed to
meet the expected 2014 ENERGY
STAR requirements. And, both
new products will contain
technology that will enable them
to communicate with utilities to
take advantage of lower-priced
energy in the markets that offer
time-of-use pricing.
To help make this project
possible, the Commonwealth
showed its support by approving
over $20 million in state
incentives for the new “smart”
product lines.
“This is a shining example of
how Kentucky aggressively works
with existing companies to help
them reach their potential here in
the Bluegrass,” said Governor
Steve Beshear. “These
investments are yet another piece
of evidence that Kentucky has
become the home of cutting-edge
efficiency in energy consumption.”
KYEDG.com 39
40 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Lab Partners
Booming bioscience sector gets a
booster shot from state initiatives
A
growing core of innovative companies, coupled the path for much of that expansion, Gailar says.
with internationally known universities and At ApoImmune, the focus is on developing
health-care providers, is helping scientists and immunotherapies, treatments that regulate the patient’s
engineers in Kentucky produce many life science and immune system to fight disease. ApoImmune, one
biotechnology breakthroughs. of MetaCyte’s portfolio companies, has two platform
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s technologies: ProtEx, which is designed to aid in transplant
Department of Commercialization and Innovation (DCI) therapies, and ApoVax, which will be applied to cancer and
is facilitating the process, working with start-up companies infectious-disease vaccines.
and business incubators, as well as large-scale R&D firms, The company has been aided by state programs,
universities and companies across a spectrum of bio-related including a forgivable loan tied to hiring goals and
fields, from drug-discovery research to crop science and investments from Commonwealth Seed Capital and the
cancer treatment. Kentucky Enterprise Fund. All together, the company has
And those in the lab say DCI’s support, plus the sheer received around $1.3 million in funding to help it grow.
volume of technical expertise found in the Bluegrass State, “Support from various economic development programs
is a winning combination. from Kentucky has been instrumental in our growth and
“In 2009, we created three new companies to increase development and enabled us to increase our staffing from two
our portfolio to 16,” says Steve Gailar, president and CEO employees to 15 employees over the last three years,” said Steven
of MetaCyte Business Lab, a high-tech business accelerator Downey, president and chief executive officer at ApoImmune.
that is a for-profit subsidiary of the University of Louisville BioLOGIC Corp., in Northern Kentucky, has opened a high-
Foundation. Two companies located at the lab recently tech business accelerator in Covington that will serve as its
completed closings on financing for more than $2 million, U.S. headquarters. The new facility has already drawn several
and one company received $270,000 in state matching biotech firms to Kentucky, including PHD Diagnostics, which
funds for a $1 million National Institutes of Health award. has developed a simple genetic test that can tell smokers
Since 2002, MetaCyte has secured more than $20 million and ex-smokers their likelihood of developing lung cancer.
in funding for its portfolio companies and has created more The test is used as part of a smoking cessation program.
than 40 high-paying jobs. State assistance has smoothed Other client companies in the facility are developing
KYEDG.com 41
42 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Clockwise from left: BioLOGIC has opened a high-tech business
accelerator in Covington; Steve Gailar, president/CEO of
MetaCyte Business Lab; MedCenter 3 houses MetaCyte.
anti-cancer drugs, researching drugs for Alzheimer’s and A $250,000 forgivable loan from the Bluegrass Business
Parkinson’s diseases, developing technology that can help Development Partnership helped the company get off the
provide affordable clean water for households in developing ground and stay local, he adds. The partnership is an
countries and over-the-counter natural health products. economic development collaborative of Commerce
Naprogenix in Lexington conducts research into the Lexington, Lexington Fayette Urban County
chemical diversity of plants and discovers novel active Government and the University of Kentucky’s Office
compounds that are useful in creating pharmaceuticals of Commercialization and Economic Development.
and agrochemicals. “We wanted to be in Kentucky, and the assistance
The combination of financing and strong support at the we received through [Commerce Lexington], our local
state and regional level has proved beneficial to Laboratory banks and the state economic development people all
and BioDiagnostics LLC, or LabDx, said Rob Mudd, made that happen,” Mudd says. “A lot of people got
president of the 31-employee Lexington company that involved, and they were able to guide us, to get the right
develops technology for the electronic delivery of results doors opened and help us establish strategic objectives
from medical diagnostic instruments. and find beneficial relationships.”
KYEDG.com 43
Economic Opportunities Abound
on the
44 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
The Doctor Is In
UK’s Markey Cancer Center attracts highly accomplished leader
When the University of approach combines our strengths in
Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center research with state-of-the-art
recruited Dr. B. Mark Evers from clinical facilities and faculty. Markey
the University of Texas Medical can make great strides in
Branch in Galveston in April 2009, translational research – taking
it got three professionals all discoveries from the laboratory
bundled up in one. through clinical trials and eventually
Evers, 51, a highly regarded into clinical practice.
gastrointestinal surgeon, scientific – Joe Morris
investigator and administrator, will
direct the center, serve as
professor of surgery in the College
of Medicine and be physician-in-
chief of the oncology service line,
and hold the endowed Markey
Rock Solid
Cancer Foundation Chair.
KYEDG.com 45
46 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Sitting Tall
in the Saddle
World Equestrian Games harness
Kentucky’s equine industry prowess
W
hile Kentucky has long been local and state officials. interest – and bookings – from other
known for its fast racehorses Nowhere is that cooperative spirit equine events. That alone has made
and high-quality bourbon, more evident than at the park, which the investment well worth the effort,
the arrival of the 2010 Alltech FEI underwent a multimillion-dollar says John Nicholson, executive director.
World Equestrian Games this overhaul just in time for the games. “It was revolutionary when we put
September will cement Kentucky’s The 1,200-acre working horse farm forth the idea of hosting the games,”
stature as the Horse Capital of is home to the International Museum Nicholson says. “But the people of the
the World. of the Horse, the American Saddlebred Commonwealth invested in the park,
From Sept. 25 to Oct. 10, all Museum as well as the National Horse and the FEI realized we had the facilities
equestrian focus will be on the Center which consists of over thirty and infrastructure few places in the
Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. national and regional equine association world could compete with. It’s just
2010 marks the first time the headquarters. Now it also boasts a part of what makes Kentucky, Kentucky.”
competition has been held outside permanent, 7,300-seat lighted outdoor Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear,
Europe, and Kentucky’s winning bid stadium and 5,500-seat indoor arena, who sits on the board for the Kentucky
was the result of serious efforts by both of which already are drawing Horse Park Foundation, says another
The World Equestrian Games will come to Lexington in fall 2010, the first time they will be held outside Europe. staff photo
KYEDG.com 47
S ta f f P h o t o
benefit is that the games will showcase forefront of the sport-horse industry it’s going after the opportunity with
a wide variety of equine disciplines as well. Racing Thoroughbreds are unbridled enthusiasm, says Kelly
and activities, further educating the the minority in Kentucky’s equine Welker, executive director of Alltech’s
community on how important population while the vast majority are G.A.M.E.S. group.
the horse is to our local and varied breeds used for sport, such as “We really don’t do big sponsorships,
state economies. the disciplines in the games, or used and this is certainly the first time
“Up to this point, Kentucky for pleasure activities like trail riding.” we’ve invested $10 million in one,”
has largely been known for our For title sponsor Alltech, the games Welker says. “But we are delighted to be
thoroughbred racing industry,” provide a chance to highlight its working with everyone involved, and
Beshear says. “The games will allow animal health and nutrition programs we are all aligned to see Kentucky
us to show the world that we are at the and products to a global audience, and thrive and put on an amazing show.”
Clockwise from top: The logo of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games; groom Shelly Gilbert, from England, grazes
Woodfalls Inigo Jones at the Kentucky Horse Park, which will host the 2010 Equestrian Games from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10.
48 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
S ta f f P h o t o
Jeff Adkins
KYEDG.com 49
Marshall County
www.opportunitymarshall.com
50 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Northern
Kentucky
Opportunity Central –
for Advanced Manufacturing;
Office/Regional
Headquarters; Technology
KYEDG.com 51
Worldwide
Appeal
Kentucky companies find global
markets are a passport to growth
52 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Story by Pamela Coyle
Photography by Antony Boshier
K
entucky manufacturers are
expanding their global reach at
the same time foreign-owned
companies are increasing investment
in the Bluegrass State.
The state’s exports are approaching
$20 billion annually, and Kentucky
ranks ninth nationally in exports per
capita. Goods sold to other countries
support 49,000 direct jobs; major
markets are Canada, Mexico, Western
Europe, China, Japan, Brazil, Taiwan
and Singapore.
Primary exports are transportation
equipment, chemicals, machinery, and
computer and electronics products, a
list that belies the diversity of Kentucky’s
products and their destinations.
BFW Inc. in Louisville sells its fiber-
optic headlight systems to hospitals
and physicians around the world, and
exports now make up about 25 percent
of the company’s gross sales, says
Lynn Cooper, president.
The company is introducing new lamp
technology that uses less energy, but
extends the device’s life tenfold, from
1,000 hours to 10,000 hours, she says.
“This new technology will become a
significant driving force in the growth
of international sales,” Cooper says.
General Cable in Highland Heights
designs, makes and ships copper,
What’s Online aluminum and fiber-optic wire and
cable products for multiple markets
Watch an interview with Carey Smith,
founder and CEO of Big Ass Fans, that include communications and
online at kyedg.com.
KYEDG.com 53
What’s Online
See an interview with Lynn
Cooper, president of BFW, online
BFW President Lynn Cooper at kyedg.com.
54 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
energy. It won the 2009 Northern
Kentucky International Trade more insight
Association Award of Excellence.
In Lexington, Big Ass Fans, or BAF, Foreign investment is the other part of the trade equation,
makes fans with diameters up to 25 and Kentucky is adding new projects almost monthly. A February
feet and ships to 50 countries. The 2010 directory published by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic
firm has added an employee solely Development lists more than 390 foreign-owned manufacturing and/
dedicated to boosting international or supportive service firms in the state, employing more than 71,600
sales. Exports account for less than full-time workers.
10 percent of BAF’s sales, but overseas Direct foreign investment neared $30 billion at the end of 2006,
sales in 2009 grew 20 percent over the with Japan and Germany contributing more than two-thirds of the
previous year, says Carey Smith, the total. And the bottom line continues to grow.
company’s founder and president. INFAC Corp., a South Korean company that makes mechanical
“It is amazing how many people see cables and electronic components for the automotive industry,
them outside the country,” Smith says. announced an expansion of its Taylor County distribution and sales
Sightings of Big Ass Fans – the center in October 2009.
Lexington company name is stamped A month later, Hitachi Automotive Products (USA), Inc. announced
on the blades – often take place in it would spend $20.2 million to expand its operation in Harrodsburg.
airports in tropical destinations that India-based Chandra Proteco Ltd., in December 2009, said it will start
don’t use air conditioning. The company manufacturing in Morgantown as Kentucky Copper Inc., a $32 million
has industrial and commercial investment.
product lines.
“We make everything in Kentucky,
and all the components are made
within 150 miles of where we are,”
Smith says. Kentucky Exports in 2008
Some companies, including Canada $5.9 billion
Paducah-based PEBCO Inc.,
France $1.9 billion
are benefiting from increased
industrialization in countries that Mexico $1.2 billion
include China, India, Colombia and United Kingdom $1.2 billion
South Africa. PEBCO makes dry-bulk
handling equipment used in the Japan $840 million
mining and basic materials industries. Germany $752 million
Rick Ladt, the company’s president,
Netherlands $644 million
says patented chute systems allow
automated and accurate loading onto Taiwan $625 million
trucks and trains, and dust-free China $604 million
loading of dry bulk materials is
especially popular. Brazil $557 million
“In the last few years, export has All countries $19.1 billion
become a larger and larger portion of SOURCE: Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
our business,” he says. more at KYEDG.com
KYEDG.com 55
Pine Ridge Regional Industrial
Where the Past, Present and Future
come together and volunteerism is a way of life …
BoB Smith
(606) 464-2888
forktrt@bellsouth.net
Outstanding fire departments and civic groups.
Steve hale
Largest oil and gas fields east (606) 663-2283
of the
Mississippi River. shale@whitakerbank.com KYEDG.com 57
Small
Business,
Big Success
Kentucky programs give a lift to entrepreneurship
58 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
A CO2 laser cuts sheet metal at Boneal,
a small manufacturing firm in eastern Kentucky
that has won contracts with the U.S. Postal Service,
U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force.
KYEDG.com 59
Story by Joe Morris • Photography by Antony Boshier
W
hile Kentucky’s largest employers are grabbing aided in part by consultation from state small business
headlines for plowing millions into facilities that experts, who offered advice on streamlining operations,
create hundreds of jobs, the state is working increasing efficiencies and boosting profits. (Some of the
diligently to aid small business and encourage company’s UTV equipment was featured in the movie
entrepreneurship. Tropic Thunder.)
From a microloan program for loans up to $35,000 to The company’s growth also has been helped by loans
classroom-style training sessions to outreach events and from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance
mentorship programs, the state has embraced small business. Authority and the Mountain Association for Community
In 2009, the Cabinet for Economic Development’s Small Economic Development.
Business Services Division hosted eight small business “Whenever you expand, you need more capital,” David
forums across the state, showcasing a particular region Oldham says. “We’re working so that we can make our
or area development district and offering fledgling business less cyclical, and growing daily, and so these
entrepreneurs the chance to learn about the key sources of capital have been very helpful to us.”
components that turn an idea into a solid business plan. The company is exploring the government-contract
“We want to make sure people get assistance, whether market, and having resources available from the state to
that’s financial support, help making connections, finding help it do so has been a key to its success in that effort,
out about contract opportunities or even attending some Oldham says.
workshops,” says John E. Cole III, director of the Kentucky At 30-year-old Boneal Inc., a prime-contract manufacturer
Small Business Services Division. for government agencies and the private sector, being in a
Mammoth Designs Inc., a Flemingsburg-based Small Business Administration-certified HUBZone – a
manufacturer of cab enclosures, canopy tops and accessories historically underutilized business district – has been
for utility terrain vehicles, was founded in 2005 by father- beneficial in landing government business.
son team, Matt and David Oldham. Consultants from the Kentucky Procurement Assistance
What started as a business being run out of the younger Program (KPAP), also housed in the Cabinet for Economic
Oldham’s basement has grown into a substantial operation, Development, worked with Boneal when the company
60 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
More Insight
Kentucky offers a number
of programs that assist
small companies. The
Kentucky Economic
Development Finance
Authority, for example,
offers a loan program to
eligible businesses with
fewer than 50 employees
engaged in manufacturing,
Entrepreneur Helper
agribusiness, or service
and technology. Loans of
$15,000 to $100,000 are
available for such things as
acquiring land and Array of resources aid Kentucky startups
buildings, buying and
installing machinery and A wide range of public funding and business support
equipment, or for working programs also help Kentucky create and grow hundreds
capital. For more on the of new high-tech ventures each year. From pre-seed,
program and other
programs that assist small
seed and commercialization funds, to tax incentives
business in Kentucky, go to and other programs, Kentucky has the resources and
www.thinkkentucky.com. infrastructure in place to help innovators and
entrepreneurs succeed at every stage of developing
their technologies.
A statewide network of Innovation and
Commercialization Centers offers entrepreneurs
advice and help in starting a high-tech company and
finding funding. Since 2001, the Cabinet for Economic
Development, through its Department of
Commercialization and Innovation (DCI), has invested
more than $150 million in high-tech companies,
initiatives and projects that have created thousands
of high-paying, high-tech jobs statewide.
Kentucky has an amazing range of resources to
assist high-tech start-up companies,” says DCI
Commissioner Deborah Clayton. “Our state programs
are especially valuable to innovative entrepreneurs as
began to explore the government market, helped them get
the funding is usually provided in the form of forgivable
HUBZone certification and provided information about
loans and grants.”
government specifications and pricing history.
To help cultivate a strong entrepreneurial spirit among
Boneal has subsequently won contracts with the U.S.
Kentucky’s young innovators and entrepreneurs, the
Postal Service, U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air
Cabinet hosts an annual business plan competition,
Force. Boneal continues to utilize KPAP’s bid match service Idea State U, which is open to all eight of Kentucky’s
to identify government contracting opportunities, and public universities. More than $100,000 in combined
participates in many KPAP training/networking events prizes and awards make the event one of the nation’s
to aggressively seek out new marketing contacts. largest state-sponsored business plan competitions.
“In Kentucky, there are a number of programs that help DCI offers a variety of other programs that encourage
businesses help themselves,” says David Ledford, Boneal small business growth, including Kentucky’s unique
president. “We got a lot of guidance when we were learning Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small
about government contracting and were able to get access Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds
to a lot of data and research that was out there, as well as program, which has drawn national attention. It matches
some helpful introductions. We have always found the both Phase 1 and Phase 2 federal awards received by
Cabinet for Economic Development staff have a genuine Kentucky’s early-stage, high-tech businesses.
interest in what we’re doing.” Enabling Kentucky companies to undertake
research, development and commercialization in the
fields of alternative fuels and renewable energy, as
well as helping build research-intensive industries in
the state and investing seed capital in promising high-
tech companies are also priorities for state efforts.
From left: Father-and-son partners Matt, left, and David Oldham
own Mammoth Designs, which specializes in aftermarket utility
For more on the programs that assist small business
terrain vehicle accessories; David Ledford, president of in Kentucky, go to www.ThinkKentucky.com.
manufacturer Boneal Inc. in Means, Ky. – Joe Morris
KYEDG.com 61
Proof of
Success
Bourbon distillers pour new
investment dollars into Kentucky
Story by Joe Morris
K
entucky’s horse industry is 95 percent of the world’s supply of Rare Breed Distilling is building a
internationally known, but Bourbon, with nearly 5 million barrels 20,000-space barrel storage warehouse
those who prefer sips to saddles currently aging in the Commonwealth. at its Wild Turkey distillery in
have ensured that its Bourbons are a And with more than $100 million in Lawrenceburg. The $2.3 million
popular Bluegrass State export as well. planned and active capital investment, project will add to Wild Turkey’s
The numbers are certainly there: $3 it’s an industry that’s ramping up to storage capacity for its maturing
billion in gross product, 10,000 direct be even bigger. whiskey products.
and spin-off jobs with $442 million Among those increasing their Sazerac North America is planning
in annual payroll. Kentucky produces production and operations in the state: a combined $28 million expansion at
Brian McCord
62 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
More Insight
The Kentucky Bourbon
Trail® links six of the
state’s historic
distilleries: Brown
Forman’s Woodford
Reserve, Four Roses,
Heaven Hill, Jim Beam,
Maker’s Mark and Wild
Turkey, and allows
visitors to explore the
more than 200-year
history of America’s
Official Native Spirit.
For more on the
Kentucky Bourbon
Jeff Adkins
Trail®, go to www.
kybourbontrail.com.
KYEDG.com 63
its Owensboro distillery and the Beam has gone from 1.2 million before.
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort. barrels in storage to almost 2 million, “In the past 10 years, Bourbon
The projects will add nearly 90 new much of which is dedicated to production has increased by more
full-time jobs in the Commonwealth. Bourbons requiring more time in the than 75 percent, and that has had an
Beam Global Spirits & Wine, which barrel, so it has ramped up production effect on tourism as well,” says Eric
operates the Jim Beam distilleries in for both its four-year products, as well Gregory, president of the Kentucky
Frankfort and Clermont, will begin as those that require more aging. Distillers’ Association. “And many of
production in Frankfort of DeKuyper “Kentucky is the nexus of our these distillers have spent millions to
cordials and other spirits currently network, not only because we have upgrade the visitors’ experience.”
bottled outside of Kentucky. The move increased capacity for Bourbon, but As an example, he points to Maker’s
will result in the addition of about 120 also because we’ve been able to bring Mark and its $3 million upgrade to
new jobs and more than $28 million in into our facilities some of the products their distillery experience that
technology upgrades at the Frankfort from recent acquisitions to be included a gourmet café and upgraded
distillery over a two-year period. produced here as well,” Conder says. gift shop at its Loretto distillery.
“The $28 million plant upgrade in Many of the state’s new and existing “A lot of the expansion is geared
Frankfort is part of a current distilleries have become tourist sites, around the tourism component, which
consolidation of our North American as well as manufacturing centers, has been skyrocketing,” Gregory says.
locations, but we have been allowing the state’s signature industry “Since we opened the Kentucky
continually expanding in Kentucky for to become an increasingly visible Bourbon Trail, attendance has never
the past three or four years,” says Jeff destination as well as an economic gone down, and in 2009, we had more
Conder, vice president of Americas development juggernaut. than 350,000 visits to the sites on the
operations for Beam Global. “We have September in Kentucky is Bourbon trail, with more than 3,000 people
invested about $70 million in Heritage Month, and the Kentucky visiting all distilleries.”
warehousing and distillation capacity, Bourbon Trail® marked its 10th The state’s willingness to pitch in
increasing our Bourbon-making anniversary in 2009 with more visitors with marketing and promotion has
capacity in Kentucky by 50 percent.” to its historic distilleries than ever helped enormously, and Gregory
64 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
A Barrel Full
of Fun
City celebrates its spirit
with Bourbon Festival
ph o t o s b y J e f f A d k i n s
$3 billion
“Bourbon and Kentucky have been distillers to Bourbon tastings to
linked for centuries, and it’s known all tours of historic Bardstown and
around the world,” he says. “We’re Bootleggers & Bushwhackers
growing jobs in the distilleries and in Value of gross product of Kentucky
distilleries Train Robbery, a ride on a steam
the related tourism industry and are locomotive where bandits came
having a tremendous financial
10,000
after its cargo of liquid gold.
impact.” Begun in 1992 as a Bourbon
tasting and dinner, the festival
Number of direct and spin-off jobs
at Kentucky distilleries grew to more than 45,000 visitors
from 43 states and 13 countries
$442
in 2009. It has been named one
of the top events by Southeast
Tourism Society, the American
KYEDG.com 65
Making
Big Waves
Kentucky is awash in water recreation opportunities
Jeff Adkins
66 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
A n t o n y B o s h i er
Story by Amy Stumpfl
W
ith more than 1,000 miles of navigable waterways, reflected off the surface of the moon rather than from direct
the Bluegrass State offers virtually unlimited sunlight – one of only two found in the Western Hemisphere.
opportunities for outdoor recreation. Nestled in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau, Big
In fact, Kentucky boasts more miles of running water South Fork National River and Recreation Area also is
than any state other than Alaska. From boating and fishing a popular destination for water recreation, whether it’s
to historic river towns and museums, the state’s many fishing or whitewater paddling. Comprising more than
waterways capture the hearts of residents and visitors alike. 125,000 acres of rugged scenery – including dramatic
“People are often surprised when they start looking at gorges and sandstone arches – the park averages 675,000
the sheer numbers,” says Elaine Wilson, executive director visitors annually.
of Adventure Tourism for the Tourism, Arts & Heritage “Some areas are pretty rugged, while others are more
Cabinet. “Louisa May Alcott’s father said it best, ‘The less manageable,” says Howard Duncan, park ranger. “Hiking
routine, the more life.’ So, chuck the routine and plan some and horseback riding also are popular activities, and a
outings with family and friends.” great way to appreciate the scenery.”
Water activities and attractions abound the state, For those looking for a more relaxed pace, the Big South
including the Belle of Louisville, a century old stern- Fork Scenic Railway provides spectacular views along with
wheel steamboat that transports passengers up and an inside look at the park’s rich history and culture.
down the Ohio River. Newport’s Ride the Ducks features On the shoreline, an array of interesting museums and
amphibious vessels modeled after World War II landing attractions augments the waterway experience, from the
craft, and Lost River Cave in Bowling Green hosts the Kentucky River Museum in Boonesborough to the McAlpine
state’s only underground boat tour. Lock and Dam in Louisville to Covington’s Behringer-
During a full moon at Cumberland Falls near Crawford Museum and its riverboat memorabilia.
Williamsburg, visitors can see a beautiful and rare The River Discovery Center in Paducah honors the
phenomenon, a moonbow – a rainbow produced by light unique heritage and culture related to the state’s waterways.
From left: A water skiier takes in a sunset over Herrington Lake in eastern Boyle County; the Belle of Louisville on the Ohio River
KYEDG.com 67
68 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
A n t o n y B o s h i er
From top: Visitors at the River Discovery Center try out the Pilothouse Simulator; Big South Fork National River is popular with kayakers.
KYEDG.com 69
Hollywood in the Bluegrass
State stars with incentive program for film production
In a state that is synonymous with the first given under a new state television projects that spend
horses, it’s fitting that a movie about program designed to draw more at least $500,000 in the state
legendary Triple Crown winner film production to the state. are eligible for a 20 percent
Secretariat would be filmed in The incentives, administered refundable tax credit for
Kentucky. by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage production and post-production
The path from the track to the Cabinet, were signed into law by expenses. The credit is also
silver screen was made easier by a Gov. Steve Beshear as part of his available for commercial
$1.2 million tax credit for the Disney Incentives for a New Kentucky productions that spend at least
Studios subsidiary making the movie, legislation passed during the 2009 $200,000 and documentary
the life story of Penny Chenery, special session of the Kentucky filmmakers and Broadway
Secretariat’s owner. The credit was General Assembly. Film and productions that spend at
least $50,000 in the state.
“This is a great way to kick off
Kentucky’s new film incentive
package,” Gov. Beshear says. “I
think it’s appropriate that a state
known for thoroughbred racing be a
part of a film about one of the most
well-known horses in racing history.”
The production company spent
about two weeks filming in the
state in fall 2009, infusing around
$6 million into the Kentucky
economy for expenditures such as
salaries for extras and hotel stays.
State officials had been trying
to land the project for three years
and were told the film would be
shot in Louisiana until Disney
learned of Kentucky’s incentives.
“Films like Secretariat will offer
Kentucky communities and small
businesses a great opportunity
when it comes to film production,”
says Kentucky First Lady Jane
Beshear. “I’m hopeful that the
incentives we offer will prompt
more filmmakers to follow and
help us promote Kentucky’s
beauty and economic
development opportunities.”
Besides Secretariat, expected
to be released in late 2010, the
incentives are luring other
projects, including an independent
film to be shot in Anderson County
and the surrounding area.
– Bill McMeekin
70 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Elizabethtown &
Louisville Metro Areas:
Building
a Regional
Economy
Looking
Beyond Boundaries
Wired65: Talent,
Innovation & Place
Regional Collaboration
Regional collaboration brings economic prosperity
to Kentucky’s heartland
I
n Kentucky’s heartland, an Huston says, but because community
economic development initiative leaders understand that economic
known as Wired65 is allowing civic prosperity and innovation occur when
leaders in 26 counties to look beyond regional assets are linked, working in a
the physical and political boundaries larger region offers greater rewards.
that organize them, and devote their “We have large cities and small
time, passion and expertise to regional towns involved in this effort,” she says.
collaboration. “Not all the opportunities and
Initiated by the Lincoln Trail Area challenges these communities have or
Development District Workforce face are the same. We went through a
Investment Board through a federal comprehensive process, evaluating our
grant, the $5 million Wired65 program region’s strengths and weaknesses, to
began as a workforce development develop programs and projects that are
strategy covering 15 Kentucky counties, transferable from urban to rural areas.”
primarily to address the Fort Knox Globalization is changing economic
workforce expansion under BRAC. It boundaries; regions are recognized as
soon became evident to area leaders the most important economic
recreational and cultural experiences.
that the regional boundaries needed to geographies in today’s economy. By
The numerous area colleges and
be enlarged in order to realize their looking at individual economic
universities provide a powerful
vision of an area that could compete resources through the lens of
regionalism, leaders envision a cluster economic engine. Schools are pursuing
globally in a wide range of economic
areas. of prosperous communities driven by new ways to integrate education with
“It wasn’t a 26-county focus when talent, competing together as one in a industry so that students graduate with
we first started,” says Kim Huston, global marketplace. the workforce skills that employers
Wired65 co-chair and president of the Leaders have discussed workforce need. They are looking at what’s
Nelson County Economic Development needs, industry trends, education working in the career pipeline,
Agency. “But once we got into it, we services and quality of life attributes. expanding upon those models and
knew we needed to bring the larger They’ve spent a significant amount of preparing for 21st-century jobs.
Louisville metro area, which meant time focusing on young professionals Health care and logistics are strong
including southern Indiana and also and what they seek when choosing an industry segments today. Some of the
moving southward to Green County. area to live and work. Extensive region’s greatest opportunities lie in
Now, we have six area development research shows Kentucky’s heartland as energy, manufacturing, information
districts that are involved, covering a great place to raise a family, one where technology, tourism, agriculture,
26 counties.” family and friends are a high priority. human resources and entrepreneurship.
Working in such a large region has People in the area also value The U.S. Army is transferring its
its advantages and its challenges, opportunities for social, educational, Human Resource Command to Fort
Jeff Adkins
www.wired65.org
Elizabethtown & Louisville Metro Areas
Setting
Priorities
Five regional priorities form
core of Wired65 work program
Passing
Inspection
Fort Knox gains 5,000 jobs under BRAC realignment as
Army’s international HR headquarters
F
ort Knox is transforming into the Opening in June 2010 is the Human
Fort Knox human resources department for one of Resource Center of Excellence, which will
BRAC the largest organizations in the world, house the international headquarters for the
by the the U.S. Army. U.S. Army Human Resources Command and
Numbers Current figures show a net increase of Army Accessions Command. When fully
5,000 permanent positions at the post, populated, approximately 4,500 people will be
• Total projected including approximately 2,500 civilian jobs working in the mammoth 900,000-square-foot
employment largely in human resource management and structure.
impact is 7,800 information technology. This boost to the While many of the new job openings will be
jobs, including
spinoff jobs region’s knowledge-based economy is causing either Army human resource specialists or
quite a stir. assistants, there will also be many
• As many as 13,000
new residents “The region could see as many as 13,000 opportunities for information technology
(employees and new residents over a period of three to four experts, administrative workers and a wide
family members) years,” says Brad Richardson, executive variety of other disciplines. Salaries will range
• $322 million plus director of One Knox, the organization serving from approximately $25,000 to upwards of
in new payroll; as the liaison between Fort Knox and the $140,000.
$1.5 billion total region’s communities. “Our charge is to help “There are lots of great things happening,”
payroll post-BRAC
the communities with all of the changes that Richardson says.
• More than
$750 million
are occurring and help them deal with the – Betsy Williams
in construction growth issues.”
projects on Fort The growth will have a huge impact on
Knox since 2006 the region’s workforce programs, schools,
• A sustained infrastructure and housing. One Knox,
40 percent increase which is funded by the Office of Economic
in state and local
tax revenues
Adjustment of the Department of Defense
and the participating counties, assists by
• From 2007-2012,
the total projected
coordinating studies and planning, soliciting
state tax revenue funding for community capital projects, and
generated from Fort serves as the single point of contact for the
Knox operations will local communities in their coordination
exceed $385 million,
representing a with the military, Army civilians and
$96 million increase defense contractors.
in new state To assess the projected economic impact
tax revenue on the surrounding communities, the Lincoln
• Projected annual Trail Area Development District engaged
state tax revenue consultants to produce a regional economic
generated post-
BRAC from Fort impact analysis. The consulting team predicts
Knox operations the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
is approximately will have a significant economic impact on
$75 million both the nine-county study area and the
• The Commonwealth Commonwealth of Kentucky.
of Kentucky has
committed
The study estimates that for every two
$100 million to new jobs on post, one will be created off post.
transportation BRAC could result in more than $322 million
and infrastructure in new payroll from new direct jobs,
improvements
to prepare for
construction jobs, and spinoff employment.
increased demand It may also produce a sustained 40 percent
by new residents increase in local and state tax revenues.
www.wired65.org
Elizabethtown & Louisville Metro Areas
B
luegrass and Bourbon blend together
in Kentucky’s heartland, creating a
dynamic hospitality industry that is rich
in scenery, history and tradition.
For more than 200 years, Kentucky distillers
have crafted distinguished Bourbons, which
account for 95 percent of the world’s Bourbon
production. Today, distilleries help create about
10,000 jobs in the state, generating an annual
payroll of $442 million and $125 million in celebratory dinner to a weeklong event
taxes, according to a study released by the featuring concerts, fine arts and, of course, About
Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Bourbon tastings. Kentucky’s
Brands like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Those visitor numbers continue to generate Bourbon
Heaven Hill dot the region’s landscape, making new investment and additional jobs in the Industry
Bourbon a signature Kentucky commodity and hospitality industry, with the creation of new
the largest export category of all U.S. spirits. hotels and restaurants and the adaptive reuse of Distillers of Bourbon
Other distillers on the legendary Kentucky and other spirits pump
historic buildings as quaint lodging and retail hundreds of millions of
Bourbon Trail® include Four Roses, Wild establishments. A lively entrepreneurial spirit is dollars into Kentucky’s
Turkey and Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve; evident throughout the region, with restaurants economy each year,
together they manufacture the amber liquid of according to a
and cooking schools centering on Bourbon- Kentucky Distillers’
fermented grains and limestone water that is based delicacies – all served amid Kentucky’s Association study.
marketed under dozens of different names. breathtaking scenery. Other findings:
Brown-Forman, located in Louisville, is among “You can’t find the Bourbon experience
the top 10 largest global spirits companies, with • Kentucky hosts
anywhere else in the world,” says Bardstown’s 43 percent of all
more than 25 brands in its portfolio and sales in Przystal. “It’s led people here – it’s the hook – U.S. distilling jobs
more than 135 countries. and then they discover the many other great • The distilling
“People want to savor the Kentucky Bourbon things to see and do in our region.” industry has a job
experience,” says Dawn Przystal, vice president multiplier of 3.29,
After a day in the countryside visiting creating more
of tourism expansion and marketing for the
distilleries, take a trip into Louisville for a stop spin-off jobs than
Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention other industries
on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Louisville has been
Commission and a member of Team Bourbon, a such as tobacco
home to many distillers since Evan Williams farming, horse farms
regional marketing effort. “The creation of the
Kentucky Bourbon Trail® in 1999 has marketed his first whiskey in the city in 1780. and coal mining
encouraged the distilleries to enhance the The establishments on the Urban Bourbon Trail • Distilling ranks
visitor experience. Each distillery is unique – vary from historic hotel properties to fourth out of
cosmopolitan bars and include Proof on Main, 244 Kentucky
some are modern facilities, others are historic manufacturing
landmarks – and the experience is an extension part of the 21c Museum and Hotel. industries in total
of their brand.” This 90-room boutique hotel nestled in the employment and
heart of Museum Row in historic downtown job multiplier
Distilleries have received more than
Louisville offers an authentic, luxurious • Distillery operations
1.5 million visits in the last five years, as generate $9 million
Bourbon enthusiasts view the process and then Southern experience in an art-filled setting. annually in taxes
taste the result. And 2009 marked a 400 percent Founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson on aging barrels
increase in Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Passport launched the museum, hotel and award- and property
participants – those who visited all distilleries. winning restaurant in 2006 to support
More than 50,000 people attend the annual Louisville’s downtown revitalization and engage
Kentucky Bourbon Festival held September in the public with contemporary art.
Bardstown. The event has grown from a – Betsy Williams
T
he Kentucky Education and Workforce Development needed to enhance education transitions.
Cabinet and Wired65 awarded more than $853,000 in
grants to 10 organizations that will champion Venture
projects that offer new ways to develop, retain and recruit Building the Regional Food Economy –
the next generation of talent. These forward-thinking Phase I Implementation
ventures will emphasize workforce development efforts that
Champion
cater to employers in the 26-county region.
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government,
Venture Economic Development Department
Junior Achievement Career Planning for
Mission
High School Students
This project funds a public interest broker to serve as a
Champion liaison between regional farmers and Louisville’s food
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana market. The broker is also charged with implementing
strategies to grow the region’s food economy, educating
Mission farmers about marketing and sales opportunities and
JAKY is bringing business people and volunteers into the focusing on the next generation of farmers.
classroom to guide young people through their career and
college planning process with the JA Real Jobs, Real World “The city of Louisville and surrounding communities
program. have been working for a number of years to build
a sustainable farm economy,” says John Logan Brent, Henry
“The work we are doing will help students remain County judge executive.
motivated to stay in school and achieve the career of their
dreams,” says Debra Hoffer, president of JAKY, which has The broker is meeting with area hospitals, restaurants,
expanded its service area in order to serve more than 3,000 food distribution companies and emergency feeding
students throughout the 26-county region. Career planning organizations to find those product opportunities, then
programs are being delivered in 120 classrooms, coordinating delivery with farmers.
establishing links between students and postsecondary
education institutions. Leaders are discussing the creation of a permanent retail
setting, a farmer’s market that would include a processing
“The teachers are ecstatic to place a real businessperson place where consumers could take their green beans and
in their classes to help students achieve their goals,” Hoffer corn for canning and freezing. Nearby restaurants would
says. “And this has captured the attention and support of use the locally grown food to gain critical mass, thus
the business community because they see as individuals creating a cycle of profitability.
that they can do something that has a deep impact on
creating the workforce of the future.” “People love to drive out from the urban areas and look
at well-maintained farms and countryside,” says Brent, a
Venture Henry County native. “But it doesn’t come that way without
Fix the Pipeline: Improving High School Transitions some profitability, which comes about when you connect the
producer with the consumer.”
Champion
Greater Louisville Inc. and Louisville/Jefferson County Venture
Metro Government School At Work® “Building a Career Ladder in
Healthcare”
Mission
Three components will be implemented to increase the Champion
number of students who graduate from high school, submit Catalyst Learning Co.
college applications and enroll in college. The components
include a Close the Deal campaign to create a strong college- Mission
going culture by involving elected officials, holding regional Adults employed in entry-level jobs at four hospitals in
workshops to increase college familiarity and implementing the Wired65 region will participate in School At Work
a KnowHow2Go marketing campaign to promote the tools (SAW) from September 2009 to June 2010. SAW has been
www.wired65.org
Elizabethtown & Louisville Metro Areas
Mission
The Family Scholar House is a
residential program that provides support to
single-parent students working toward a
four-year college degree. Innovative
technology and outreach support will
maximize the Family Scholar House’s new
Academic Services Center. Funding will
provide the new center with an outreach
coordinator and technology
for training.
Venture
Invention Fair
Champion
Western Kentucky Research
Foundation, WKU
Mission
Invention Fair is a regional event
that will showcasethe creative ideas and
used successfully by Norton Healthcare and Floyd Memorial inventions of high school students. Winners
since 2005 to advance employees. By refreshing essential of county invention fairs will advance to participate in the
skills and completing individual career plans, SAW helps 26-county Invention Fair in the spring of 2010, with
employees prepare for local colleges and move up the potential feed into an existing college competition, IdeaU.
career ladder.
Venture
Venture One-Stops as Talent Development Portal
Inspiring Student Entrepreneurs to Spark Business
Activity in Their Communities Champion
WorkOne – The Region 10 Workforce Board Inc.
Champion
Kentucky Council on Economic Education Mission
The project works to refocus the existing
Mission perception of One-Stops as an unemployment office
A new high school entrepreneurship study designed for and transition its market brand as a “talent development”
career and technical classes will be demonstrated to high portal. Funding will be used to promote the new identity
schools in 15 counties in the Wired65 region. A teacher/ to different business and industry sectors and assist the
leader will be designated to each county. Students will be incumbent workforce in improving information and
pre- and post-tested and participate in a virtual computer technology occupations.
entrepreneurship program.
Venture
Venture Regional Visioning and Leadership
HIRE Education Forum Regional Internship Program Development Campaign
Champion Champion
The HIRE Education Forum Regional Leadership Coalition
Mission Mission
This region-wide college internship program will employ This campaign will create a compelling, shared
college students as interns in an effort to fill workforce vision of the region’s future that will speak to the
shortages, provide on-the-job training and create a talented community and sustain regional cooperation. It will
pool of individuals for future workforce needs. HIRE is a also look toward regional economic aspirations in
collaborative of 31 accredited colleges and universities the global marketplace and each unique community.
spanning the 26-county region. County chambers, young professionals, leadership
organizations and educational institutions will
Venture participate in the campaign.
Innovative Technology and Outreach Program
Champion
Family Scholar House Inc. – Betsy Williams
KYEDG.com 71
A cyclist crosses the
Chenault Bridge in Danville.
Photo by Jeff Adkins
72 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
The Lincoln Memorial in Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville.
Photo by Antony Boshier
KYEDG.com 73
A canon stands in front of the visitors center at Leslie W. Morris Park on Fort Hill.
Photo by Jeff Adkins
74 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
The clock tower atop the historic
Barren County Courthouse is reflected
in the mirrored modern windows of the
Citizens First Bank Building on the town
square in Glasgow.
Staff photo
KYEDG.com 75
Energy/Technology
They Know
Nano
Kentucky researchers make big
breakthroughs on a tiny scale
K
entucky is making a big splash and Technology Research Center.
in a field that manipulates Nanotechnology is the common
molecular particles into denominator.
products with applications in the “We are probing smaller worlds that
aerospace, cancer research, solar we had no clue about and needed a
power and across virtually every smaller tool to go there,” said David
other field of technology. Mudd, sales and marketing director
Lexington-based Topasol is working for NaugaNeedles, a University of
with the U.S. Navy on “smart” coatings Louisville spinoff based on the
for military aircraft that turn one research of Mehdi M. Yazdanpanah.
color to show impact damage and Researchers who use atomic force
another color to show heat stress. microscopes use the needles to probe
In Louisville, NaugaNeedles makes the liquid environments and make
minute probes that are 1/1000th the highly sensitive measurements within
width of a human hair for research living cells. NaugaNeedles are more
in medicine, fluid sciences and flexible and harder to break than other
thermal vibrations. nanoprobes, and unlike some of their
And at the University of Louisville, competitors, are conductive, he said.
a 10,000 square-foot clean room is a These unique properties make them
key feature of the $42 million Science useful in studies in fields that range
76 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 77
A technician with a central processing unit in the University of Louisville Micro/Nano Technology cleanroom;
Right: Jose Rivera, manufacturing engineer, inspects a NaugaNeedles product under a microscope.
from cancer research to lithium ion batteries. using the Micro/Nano Technology Cleanroom,
More Insight “To study something, you have to disturb trying to make very small things that address
Kentucky companies it and not just hit it with light,” Mudd says. very big problems.
developing alternative Uschi Graham, a chemistry professor at Some work in nanotechnology; others work
energy technologies have a the University of Kentucky, founded Topasol – in MEMS, or microelectromechanical systems,
new source of potential short for topical solutions. The company’s devices and structures.
financing – their state
government. Kentucky New super-sensitive aircraft coating will help In MEMS, scientists place microcomponents
Energy Ventures is a $5 engineers pinpoint damage before it develops on wafers and etch away particles they don’t
million state fund, into more serious problems, possibly need. Combined with radio frequency
managed by DCI, that grounding the aircraft longer for repairs. technology, the approach at UofL has created
makes both equity
investments and direct “New advanced composite structures for an implantable wireless sensor for glaucoma
grants to firms with aircraft bodies are extremely strong and management and a sensor than can detect
promising ideas for durable and lightweight,” she said. “But even whether patients are healing properly after
alternative and renewable at low velocities, a bird strike can cause spinal fusion surgery.
energy technologies.
Applications are accepted delamination, but you cannot tell by looking Other UofL groups are working on
on a regular basis. For more at the structure.” scavenging energy from vibrations in wind
information, go to www. The patent-pending technology, which and traffic, and even electrochemical energy
startupkentucky.com. the university licensed to Topasol, is still in from trees.
development. So are other nanocoatings to The Micro/Nano lab also is leading an effort
reduce reflection and glare, allowing solar to link all of Kentucky’s university and private
cells to absorb more of the incoming energy, nanotech efforts together.
though the company owns that technology Mudd likened the field to Horton Hears a
outright, says Graham, the company’s Who! In the Dr. Seuss classic book, Horton, a
president and CEO. large elephant, realizes a speck of dust is an
At the University of Louisville, scientists entire planet populated by microscopic
and engineers from multiple disciplines are inhabitants no one can see.
78 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 79
80 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Start It Up
Kentucky universities spin research into new companies
Polite company for years shied accounted for 52 percent of the
away from using the words funding and paid higher salaries
commercialization and academia than the other area companies.
in the same sentence, but don’t Success stories include Allylix,
tell the University of Kentucky. which modifies yeast genes to make
UK stands out among its flavors and fragrances, and Mersive
benchmark institutions nationally in Technologies, a leading display
licensing revenue and faculty-related technology company.
start-up companies, ranking 17th AllTranz is working to improve drug
and sixth, respectively. Even more delivery through transdermal patches,
impressive – it ranks first among its and Tolera Therapeutics, founded by
benchmarks in startups per $10 the Cleveland Clinic, uses an antibody
million of research expenditures. developed at UK to prevent the acute
“You wouldn’t think a small, quiet rejection of organ transplants.
town would be so successful,” says Bioscience also is a big source
Len Heller, UK vice president for of commercialization at the University
commercialization and economic of Louisville.
development. MetaCyte Business Lab, a
Kentucky’s flagship university business accelerator owned by the
in Lexington takes development of University of Louisville Foundation,
intellectual property seriously. It has helped launch 16 companies.
holds more than 300 active patents, The facility’s staff act as a business
with a strong portfolio in drug team, helping the new firms get
development and design, plant biotech, started and obtain financing.
equine health and materials for medical MetaCyte has raised $20 million
devices and drug delivery systems. so far to support its companies.
“The president and college deans “Our goal is to have professional
look for faculty who have an financing at the earliest rounds,”
entrepreneurial spirit,” Heller says. says Steve Gailar, MetaCyte’s
“Commercializing our innovations president and CEO.
and creating new companies and Pradama Inc. is among the
jobs is at the heart of our economic beneficiaries. The company uses
development mission.” research by William Pierce Jr., a
The numbers show it. UofL professor of pharmacology
According to the Lexington Venture and toxicology, to develop drugs
Club, early stage companies in the to prevent and treat bone disease.
Bluegrass area attracted $47.5 Pierce is now the university’s acting
million in venture funding last year. executive vice president for research.
Companies affiliated with UK – Pamela Coyle
KYEDG.com 81
Antony Boshier
82 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Transportation
Overnight Sensation
DHL’s relocation adds to Kentucky’s superior logistic advantages
K
entucky’s numerous
transportation infrastructure
advantages make it a natural
for distribution operations.
Located in the center of eastern
United States industrial and consumer
markets, Kentucky is within a day’s
truck drive of 60 percent of the nation’s
population, personal income and
manufacturing output.
Five interstates, several key U.S.
routes and a network of limited-
access state parkways serve the state.
Kentucky’s intermodal transportation
systems, including rail and riverway
barges, provide efficient and cost-
effective ways to move goods and
receive materials.
Already home to UPS’ mammoth
World Port logistics and distribution
hub in Louisville, a key in attraction
KYEDG.com 83
84 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Five interstates, several key U.S. routes and a network of limited-access parkways go through Kentucky. staff photo
70
making it easy for DHL trucks to Besides DHL, thousands of other
access the airport. DHL Express spent companies have specifically chosen to
$50 million on the operations center, base all or part of their operations in
Sites with rail service possible
and in 2010 is scheduling more than Kentucky, thanks in large part to the
65 flights per day to and from the state’s efficient transportation network.
148
airport hub with a fleet of Boeing Kentucky’s central location and
767s and B747-400s and McDonnell logistical assets appealed to Chegg.com,
Douglas DC-8-73s. which in February 2010 selected a 611,000-
Sites within 10 miles of an
The center employs 1,600 DHL square-foot facility in Shepherdsville, interstate highway or parkway
staffers who are sorters, engineers, Bullitt County, as the site for a ware
flight operators and compliance housing and distribution operation.
personnel. The huge DHL hub and
gateway at CVG has 15 miles of conveyor
belts, with thousands of letters and
Chegg, the nation’s leading online
college textbook rental company, will
invest $27.3 million in the project and
23
Sites within 10 miles
packages sorted every night. create 109 full-time jobs and up to of a public riverport
“The U.S. is an important part of 1,200 part-time seasonal jobs. The
KYEDG.com 85
C R O U N S E C O R P O R AT I O N
R I V E R T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
Your Carrier
of Choic e
Sinc e 19 4 8
In October of 2008, Crounse Corporation celebrated its 60th anniversary by moving into its new
headquarters at 400 Marine Way, Paducah, Kentucky. Today, Crounse Corporation employs over
300 people, and with a fleet of 35 towboats and 948 barges it transports more than 30 million tons
of cargo each year along the US inland waterways. Crounse has become one of the largest
carriers of coal on the inland river system with a reputation for superior service to its customers.
400 Marine Way • Paducah, KY 42003 • (270) 444-9611 • (270) 444-9615 fax • www.crounse.com
86 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Kentucky Economic Development
Finance Authority preliminarily
approved Chegg for up to $1.5 million
in tax benefits through the Kentucky
Business Investment program.
“Everyone at Chegg is thrilled to
be expanding operations and bringing
additional jobs to Bullitt County,” says
Aayush Phumbhra, co-founder and
senior vice president of operations at
Chegg. “Kentucky, and Shepherdsville
in particular, makes a great home for
Chegg’s textbook fulfillment center.”
Top transportation companies and
organizations are taking notice of the
state’s distribution advantages,
including Chicago Consulting, whose
business it is to recommend relocation
cities and counties for manufacturers,
distributors and retailers. In 2009,
Chicago Consulting named Henderson
County in northwest Kentucky as the
best place in the nation to have a
warehouse distribution center.
“Logistics and transportation are
key reasons why we are ideal for a
distribution company to establish a
facility,” says Kevin Sheilley, president
of Northwest Kentucky Forward, an
economic development group that
represents the counties of Henderson,
McLean, Union and Webster. “In
addition, as more of the central U.S
population continues moving to the
midwest and the south, Kentucky
becomes even more strategic for
distribution companies.”
Sheilley adds that northwest
Kentucky is especially perfect for
transportation companies because
it is located on the new I-69 corridor
and the CSX main north-south line
runs through the middle of the region.
“Also, the Henderson river port is
one of the busiest on the central U.S.
inland river system, with a lot of heavy
tonnage going through,” he says. “Yes,
good transportation is a vital asset for
us in northwest Kentucky.”
“Logistics and transportation are
key reasons why we are ideal for a
distribution company to establish
Kentucky’s logistical advantages make it a distribution hub. photo by jeff adkins a headquarters.”
KYEDG.com 87
88 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Health
The Doctors
Are In
Story by dave raiford Kentucky is a magnet for medical experts
Photography by ???????
A
s Kentucky’s leading medical Karpf, University of Kentucky vice
institutions, such as UK president of health affairs. One is to
HealthCare in Lexington and develop top specialty-care programs
the University of Louisville and Jewish that keep patients in the state for
Hospital in Louisville, increase their treatment. The other is to stress the
research efforts and add more top- inclusion of rural providers through
flight talent, providers in the rural such means as outreach programs,
areas of the state are benefiting from telemedicine and rotating specialists
the enhanced medical care they provide. into outlying hospitals.
“It brings a lot more specialists into “It has allowed us to develop more
the state, and through telemedicine robust research programs and to develop
programs, rural hospitals have access exceptional medical education
to specialists they may not otherwise programs,” he says.
have had,” says Mike Rust, president The programs have enabled partner
of the Kentucky Hospital Association. facilities to treat patients locally who
The University of Kentucky and UK would have sought treatment elsewhere,
HealthCare have two missions from a preserving much needed lines of
clinical point of view, says Dr. Michael revenue for rural hospitals.
KYEDG.com 89
The state’s major medical centers In July 2009, Jewish Hospital and that allows maintenance of healthy
have accomplished a long list of University of Louisville physicians levels of stem cells in bone marrow
medical firsts. conducted the world’s first Phase One, during chemotherapy.
Jewish Hospital, through its Food and Drug Administration- Among efforts to connect rural
partnership with the University of approved clinical trial using cardiac providers with the specialists and
Louisville School of Medicine, performed stem cells to treat heart disease. researchers, UofL Health Care (which
the first hand transplant in the nation in Researchers at the University of includes the University of Louisville
1999, and has since developed the Jewish Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center are Health Sciences Center, University of
Hospital Hand Care Center. investigating the ability of a protein Louisville Hospital and University
90 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 91
92 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
UK HealthCare
Physicians Associates) has developed medical professionals graduating from projected $638 million for 2010.
a remote-physician presence robot the center’s programs are practicing in As patients throughout the state
network. The system allows UofL rural areas. UK HealthCare specialists remain in their communities longer to
doctors to provide remote patient have regular rotations at rural hospitals. receive treatment and then transfer to
consultations with patients in rural Clinical volumes at the medical medical centers in Lexington or
hospitals by using a robot (standing center in Lexington have grown from Louisville for more complex treatment,
5 feet 6 inches tall) connected via a 19,000 discharges in 2003 to a the benefits continue to multiply.
secured connection. projected 34,000 in the 2010. National “Those are dollars that are kept
Through its UK Center for Institutes of Health funding for the in state. As we help those regional
Excellence in Rural Health, in Hazard, center’s research has grown from $50 providers, they send the complex
the university works to increase the million in 2003 to $80 million in 2009, patients to us and that is one of the
number of physicians practicing in and the system’s payroll has increased reasons we’ve grown so dramatically,”
rural areas. Eighty percent of the from $365 million in 2004 to a he says.
KYEDG.com 93
Education
O
ne of Kentucky’s significant
advantages as a place to live
and work is its strong network
of colleges and universities. From
major research centers such as the
University of Kentucky and University
of Louisville, four-year private and
public universities across the state,
and community and technical
colleges, Kentucky provides a ready
supply of skilled and knowledge-
based workers.
The Kentucky Community and
Technical College System (KCTCS)
encompasses 16 colleges at 68
campuses strategically located across
the state that offer dozens of credit
and certificate courses in a range of
careers and disciplines. Many of the
courses are offered in the evening or
94 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
KYEDG.com 95
From left: Kentucky’s colleges, such as Elizabethtown Community & Technical College, provide an array of workforce and
skills development programs; Centre College in Danville is one of Kentucky’s numerous high-quality private universities.
online to appeal to people already in most efficient and productive manner and industry. In fiscal year 2008-09,
the workforce. possible and stay competitive. the BSSC Board of Directors approved
Tuition throughout the Kentucky In its 2008-09 fiscal year, the more than 225 annual grants totaling
Community and Technical College division provided workforce training almost $8 million to train more than
System is much less than what is grants to companies and organizations 32,000 Kentucky workers.
charged at four-year universities, that included 3M, Baptist Healthcare Besides the monetary grants, BSSC
with a credit hour at KCTCS schools System, Citi Group, Ford Motor Co., also provides $2.5 million in annual
costing as little as $125. Ingersoll Rand, Kimberly-Clark, Papa tax credits to businesses that partake
Often working in concert with the John’s, Raytheon and Sherwin-Williams. in employee training initiatives.
state colleges is the Bluegrass State “And it’s not just big companies,” “There is still a strong demand
Skills Corp. (BSSC), which provides says Robert Curry, Bluegrass State for BSSC grants and tax credits even
millions of dollars in training grants Skills Corp. executive director. “We in this tough economy, which is
each year to manufacturers, hospitals also annually assist companies that encouraging, because it shows that
or companies that have an economic are considered small businesses. Overall, companies are still interested in
development impact on Kentucky. the grants we approve range from upgrading and moving their
BSSC is attached to the Cabinet for $2,500 to nearly $200,000, depending workforces forward,” Curry says.
Economic Development in recognition on the scope of the training project.” “These are the Kentucky companies
of the relationship between economic BSSC was established in 1984 to that will be much better prepared once
development and workforce training. stimulate economic development, the economy turns around, reaping
Its grants help companies train their specifically by customizing advanced the rewards of having a highly skilled,
employees so they can operate in the skills training programs for business globally competitive workforce.”
96 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Kentucky Private
Colleges and
Universities
Alice Lloyd College
Asbury College
Bellarmine University
Berea College
Brescia University
Campbellsville University
Centre College
Georgetown College
Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Lindsey Wilson College
Mid-Continent University
Midway College
Pikeville College
Saint Catharine College
Spalding University
Sullivan University
Thomas More College
Transylvania University je f f a d k i n s
Union College
KYEDG.com 97
98 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Solving the Math Problem
Academy turns out STEM skills achievers
The stereotype that girls don’t ultimately graduate as seniors from three STEM electives,” Alderdice says.
like math and science has been the academy not only receive their “The average ACT score for students
squashed at the Carol Martin high school diploma, but have also who attend Gatton is 28.8 out of 36.”
Gatton Academy of Mathematics earned 60 to 70 Gatton Academy students are
and Science in Kentucky. college credits during their two housed in a separate building on the
The state-sponsored high school years on campus. WKU campus, with all tuition, housing
was established in 2007 on the “While enrolled during their two and meals provided at no cost. In
campus of Western Kentucky years at Gatton, students take their 2009, Newsweek magazine named
University in Bowling Green as usual required high school classes Gatton one of the 16 elite public high
a way for top high school juniors along with four college courses in schools in the United States.
and seniors to take college-credit college math, five in science and – Kevin Litwin
courses in the STEM disciplines –
science, technology, engineering
and mathematics.
A total of 60 high school students –
30 girls and 30 boys – are chosen
from a statewide application
process to enroll as juniors at
the academy each August.
“We have about 200 students
apply each year for the 60 open
spots, and more girls apply than
boys,” says Corey Alderdice, Gatton
Academy assistant director of
admissions and public relations.
“That helps to dispel the notion
that girls aren’t interested in
math and science.”
The 60 students who will
A n t o n y B o s h i er
KYEDG.com 99
100 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Livability
‘You’ll Never
Want To Leave’
Charm, sophistication make a welcome home for newcomers
F
rom the smallest community
to the most sophisticated city,
Kentucky offers a wealth of
resources sure to fit just about any
lifestyle. From world-class galleries
and museums to scenic waterways
and state parks, the Bluegrass State
has a knack for turning visitors into
full-time residents.
Best of all, newcomers find a unique
brand of Southern hospitality that
makes them feel right at home.
Take J. J. DiUbaldi for example.
After graduating from Vanderbilt
University and spending 10 years in
Nashville, this single professional was
looking for a change of scenery when
he moved to Louisville in August 2009.
An avid outdoorsman, DiUbaldi has
enjoyed exploring his new hometown –
especially the city’s extensive park system.
“Cherokee Park in the Highlands
area was built by Frederick Law
Olmstead – the same person who
designed New York’s Central Park,”
he says. “There are miles of paved
KYEDG.com 101
s ta f f ph o t o
102 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Brian mcCord
and unpaved walking and biking trails food late, too. I’ve been pleased to find “Our son-in-law is in the Army and
there. Portions of the Louisville Loop – several vegan, vegetarian and organic- was in Afghanistan while our daughter
a paved, 100-mile, multiuse trail – also food establishments, with many was pregnant with their second child,”
have been completed. The RiverWalk restaurants buying from local Maria says. “We arrived in our RV,
and park are conveniently located, growers whenever possible.” intending to stay for a month to help
and you’ll see many downtown lunch- In the case of Maria and Dave with the little ones. On the way to her
walkers and picnickers there.” Russell, a 2008 move to Hopkinsville house one day, I spotted a house that
In terms of nightlife, DiUbaldi represented an opportunity to put had just been put up for sale. By 5 p.m.
has found plenty of great clubs and down roots near family. The couple – that day we had a contract.”
restaurants. which spent about three years traveling The Russells found the cost of living
“You never have to go more than in their RV after Hurricane Katrina – much lower than other places they
a mile to find a good local bar in originally planned to spend just a have lived, including Washington,
Louisville, and most of them serve month in Hopkinsville. D.C., North Palm Beach, Fla., and San
Clockwise from top left: Vibrant restaurants, like the Atomic Cafe in Lexington, are a signature of Kentucky’s communities; lobby of
the Muhammad Ali center in Louisville; Kentucky has an abundance of courses to challenge any golfer; The Fourth Street Live
entertainment district has bars, restaurants and shopping in the heart of downtown Louisville.
KYEDG.com 103
Diego, Calif. The median home price is Barkley in less than an hour,” she says. the highlights have been a visit to
less than $100,000. Marilyn and Steve Thore also Berea with its art and crafts center,
Russell says she enjoys the have enjoyed traveling around their and Paducah’s historic downtown.
community’s convenient location adopted home state since relocating “We certainly have loved all the
and ready access to state parks to Hopkinsville from Newberg, Ore., sites visited, but most of all, we have
and recreation. in summer 2009. enjoyed the wonderfully warm
“Boating is one of our passions, The Thores have discovered a Southern culture and the people of
so we love being close to Land bevy of scenic and historic sites, Kentucky,” Marilyn Thore says. “The
Between the Lakes. There are a and museums, such as Fort Donelson, slower pace and delightful people,
number of public boat launches the Audubon Museum in Henderson, coupled with the natural beauty of
nearby, and we can have our 13-foot Lake Barkley State Resort Park and Kentucky, make it a place that once
Boston Whaler launched on Lake Lexington’s many attractions. Among here, you might never want to leave.”
Whether it’s boating, fishing or just relaxing, Kentucky waterways are a natural attraction. photo courtesy of www.kentuckytourism.com
104 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
Getting To Know Kentucky Culture
commonwealth hAs rich offerings of art, culture, history
Kentucky boasts a deep pool of arts, cultural, historic Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
and recreational opportunities. Here is just a small sample: www.omfa.museum/
Churchill Downs Housed in two structures listed on the National Register
www.churchilldowns.com of Historic Sites, the museum’s permanent exhibits
It’s hard to think about the Bluegrass State without includes a stained-glass gallery of late 19th-century
thinking of the Kentucky Derby. German stained glass, a major collection of American Folk
The state has six racetracks, but perhaps none more Art, with an emphasis on 20th-century Appalachian art,
famous than Churchill Downs in Louisville, where the and works for sale by regional artists and craftspeople.
“most exciting two minutes in sports” is held the first Appalachian Artisan Center
Saturday in May. The track hosts a series of race dates www.artisancenter.net
in spring and fall. The Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman showcases
Churchill Downs includes the Kentucky Derby Museum, the works of artists from 49 counties in eastern Kentucky
two floors of interactive, horse racing-related exhibits, and helps preserve and promote the artistic and cultural
a 360-degree high-definition video presentation and heritage of the region.
a walking tour of the track complex. More than 150 juried members display and sell their work
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in the gallery. The center also operates a studio program to
www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm help artists create and grow their own small businesses.
Kentucky lays claim as the birthplace of the 16th U.S. Headley-Whitney Museum
president and is in the midst of a celebration of the www.headley-whitney.org
200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Founded in Lexington in 1968 by noted jewelry
The state is home to a number of Lincoln-related designer George Headley, the museum includes a diverse
historic attractions, including the Abraham Lincoln and eclectic permanent collection of jewels and artifacts,
Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville. as well as international and regional exhibitions.
KYEDG.com 105
Shelby County, Kentucky
American Saddlebred Capital of the World
198,819
Hal Rogers Parkway Company, www.cn.ca
Bert T. Combs Paducah and Louisville Railway
Mountain Parkway www.palrr.com Associates
William H. Natcher Parkway
Commercial Airports
Edward T. Breathitt
Pennyrile Parkway
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
International Airport
352,092
Julian M. Carroll Bachelors
www.cvgairport.com
Purchase Parkway
245,450
Blue Grass Airport
Wendell H. Ford Western
www.bluegrassairport.com
Kentucky Parkway
Louisville Regional Graduate
Airport Authority
Water Source: Onboard Informatics
www.flylouisville.com
Seven public riverports operate
facilities at Henderson, Hickman, Owensboro-Daviess County UTILITIES
Louisville, Lyon County, Regional Airport, www.owb.net
Owensboro, Paducah Barkley Regional Airport Electric power is distributed by four
and Wurtland. www.barkleyregional.com investor-owned electric utilities, 30
municipal electric systems, the
Tennessee Valley Authority and 21
Take a look at the lands at the confluence of the mighty Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. It’s all right here.
KYEDG.com 107
108 K e n t u c ky E c o n o m i c D e v el o p m e n t G u ide
172 municipal, college or housing Employment by Major Industry by Place of Work (2008)
authority providers and one gas
and water district operated locally Industry Number of Employees
at the county level.
All Industries 1,791,017
1,393,212 Information
Financial Activities
32,268
91,302
Age 0-24
Services 813,464
719,142
Age 60+
36.82
Median Age
Source: Onboard Informatics
Income
$41,538
Median Household Income
$52,800
Average Household Income
U.S. Census Bureau,
2008 American Community Survey
TAXES
State Sales Tax – 6%
State Income Tax – Net income for
Kentucky individual income taxes is
gross income minus either the
standard deduction or allowable
itemized deductions.
Property Tax – Combined state and
local rates average $1.05 per $100
valuation in urban areas and $0.82
per $100 in rural areas.
Occupational license tax – 0.08%-
2.5% (not in entire state)
K YE D G . c o m 109
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