Team Kentucky

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

For business-related guidance, resources, and FAQs available through state, federal and partner organizations during the COVID-19 crisis, click below.
Resources

World Air Cargo Leader

Kentucky is the only state with three international air shipping hubs, operated by UPS, DHL and Amazon Prime

Auto Production Leader

Kentucky is the #1 vehicle producer in the US per capita

Skilled Workforce

Kentucky has the highly skilled workforce companies need to thrive in today’s global economy

Electrifying Power Rates

Kentucky has the lowest industrial power costs among states east of the Mississippi River

Best-in-class Cost of Doing Business

Kentucky’s business costs are the lowest in America (CNBC)

Quick Answers

Here are quick links to some of the most comonly asked questions. Have others? Contact Us.

Available Sites & Buildings

Find the perfect Kentucky property for your needs.

Start/Grow Business

Learn about our resources to help your business grow like bluegrass.

Workforce Training Info

Kentucky offers resources to help prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

Financial Incentives

Kentucky spurs business growth through an array of supportive programs.

Search Statistics

View data on Kentucky’s economic growth, businesses, communities and more.

Export My Products

Want to expand your market? We offer support to make exporting easier.

Capital

CED helps connect entrepreneurs with funding they need to launch and grow their businesses.

Investor Info

Looking to invest in a small business or startup? The Cabinet can connect you with the right opportunity.

The Bluegrass Means Business

Kentucky is a Pro-Business Powerhouse

Wonder why Kentucky has quietly become one of the top states to do business? We have worked hard to create a climate that not only supports business, but allows it to thrive.

Business Climate

In vehicle production per capita

in FDI jobs by percentage

In whiskey exports

Kentucky is within one day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population

Kentucky's logistical advantage is unmatched. Click the cities below to measure distance.

DISTANCE: 738 miles

Louisville
Lexington
Bowling Green
Owensboro
Covington

New York
Charlotte
Washington DC
Chicago
Atlanta

Get in touch with people that can help

These are the faces of our cabinet and your gateway to growing your business in Kentucky. While our project managers specialize in various industries and regions, they are all driven to make Kentucky the most business-friendly state in America. Meet them here, and don’t hesitate to reach out!

Andy Luttner

Metals & Chemicals

Andy Luttner and his wife reside in Louisville and moved to Kentucky in the summer of 2017 from New York City. Andy primarily covers the metals and chemical sectors and works attraction projects.
(502) 782-1957

Annie Franklin

Food & Beverage, Agribusiness & Consumer Products

Annie Franklin is a native of Winchester, Ky., and a graduate of Morehead State University. She has a background in sales and marketing, and she’s lived in Hong Kong as well as Orlando, Fla. She focuses on attracting new business to the state of Kentucky in the food and beverage, agribusiness, and consumer goods industries.
(502) 782-1992

Beka Burton

EKCEP, TENCO &
Cumberland

Beka Burton is a resident of Somerset, Ky., and an avid outdoorsman. As a project manager covering the Eastern and Southern Kentucky regions, she’s honored to work with businesses to highlight why Kentucky is the perfect location for companies to locate, expand, and grow.
(502) 782-1998

Brittany Cox

Northern KY & BG

Brittany Cox primarily focuses on supporting existing industry and workforce needs in both Central and Northern Kentucky. She is also a proud University of Kentucky alumna and currently dserves as a mentor in the College of Communications and Information Mentor/Mentee program.
(502) 782-1995

Brooklyn Leep

Automotive, Aerospace & Defense & Renewable Energy

Brooklyn focuses on recruiting new business to Kentucky for the automotive, aerospace & defense, and renewable energy sectors. Brooklyn began her economic development career in her hometown of Morehead, Ky., where she worked at the local economic development office for three years before joining KCED.
(502) 782-1923

Bruce Zou

International,
China Specialist

Yifan Bruce Zou was born in China’s Jiangsu Province, Zou immigrated to the United States and lived in Windermere, Fla., for several years before moving to Kentucky in 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in public administration with a strong focus in public-private partnership from the University of Pennsylvania.
(502) 782-1953

Corky Peek

West KY, South Central &
Green River

Corky Peek is the cabinet’s director of business development. He has more than 20 years’ experience with KCED, and primarily focuses on new and expanding companies in Western and South Central Kentucky.
(270) 210-0033

Craig McKinney

Director of International Affairs and Business Development

Craig McKinney joined the staff of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in August 2019 as Director of International Affairs and Business Development. In this role, Craig oversees the Cabinet’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment and find new business opportunities for the commonwealth outside the United States.
(502) 782-1942

Elizabeth Bishop

Northern KY & BG

Born and raised in Lexington, Ky., Elizabeth attended the University of Kentucky for both her bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Elizabeth aides existing and new industry with job creation and potential investments into facilities and land development projects in Northern and Central KY.
(502) 782-1924

Evelyn Simmler

European Business Development (Hamburg, Germany)

Evelyn Simmler is a Business Development Manager in our European Office. She supports Kentucky’s lead generation and business development efforts in Europe via foreign direct investment promotion and attraction and assistance for existing industry clients.
+49 (0) 40 35004440

Joshua Seeberg

Director, European Office (Hamburg, Germany)

As director of the European Office for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Joshua Seeberg oversees both daily and strategic operations aimed at growing the presence and impact of Europe-based businesses in Kentucky’s economy.
+49 (0) 40 35004440

Jeffrey Taylor

Commissioner, Business Development

Jeff Taylor is a native Kentuckian with 35 years’ experience in economic development. As commissioner for business development, Jeff leads the cabinet's efforts to create and retain jobs and generate investment throughout the commonwealth.
(502) 782-7670

Kristina Slattery

Executive Director, Business Development

Responsible for providing business services to companies and communities, including talent and workforce attraction, community preparedness and other existing industry needs. Also responsible for providing direction and oversight of the Cabinet’s Research function.
(502) 782-1946

Martin David-Jacobs

Healthcare, KentuckianaWorks & Lincoln Trail

Martin David-Jacobs is a project manager specializing in health care statewide, along with a focus on business retention, recruitment and expansion for 15 counties within the KentuckianaWorks and Lincoln Trail region.
(502) 782-1968

Mike Takahashi

Executive Director, Asia Office (Tokyo, Japan)

Mike Takahashi is stationed in Tokyo to bring investment from Japan to Kentucky. He previously worked for Itochu Corporation and worked in US for 17 years in total. His relationship with Kentucky began in 1985, and he has is proud to serve the state’s nearly 200 facilities owned by Japanese companies.
(502) 782-1968

Lucas Johnson

Project Manager

Lucas Johnson is a lifelong Kentuckian, originally from Shepherdsville. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in December 2017 with degrees in Political Science and Modern and Classical Literatures, Languages and Cultures. Lucas joined the cabinet in early 2020 and is thrilled to serve his home state.
(502) 782-1964

See our Full Staff

What They Say

Every time we've invested here, the community and state have reaffirmed this is the right location for future growth.

Luke Durudogan
President, Meggit Aircraft Braking Systems

For 50 years, Dow has been an employer, neighbor and corporate partner in the region. We are proud of how far the Carrollton site has come and excited to recommit to the site with the groundbreaking of the new Cabot plant.

Howard Ungerleider
CFO, DowDuPont

Kentucky's state resources and strong local workforce have provided us with a significant leg up in getting this project off the ground.

Stephen Croskey
CEO, Danimer Scientific

Available Sites & Buildings

View available assets ready for relocation

Search Sites & Buildings

Lexington Metals

Mt. Sterling, KY 40353

County: Montgomery County
Type of space: Warehouse/Distribution
Min Size: 270,000 sqft
Max Size: 270,000 sqft

I-24 Industrial Park

Paducah, KY 42001

County: McCracken County
Type of space: Vacant Land
Min Size: 136.60 acres
Max Size: 136.60 acres

Louisville Logistics Centre

Hillview, KY 40229

County: Bullitt County
Type of space: Industrial
Min Size: 302,500 sqft
Max Size: 302,500 sqft

Southwest One Industrial

Benton, KY 42025

County: Marshall County
Type of space: Vacant Land
Min Size: 270.60 acres
Max Size: 270.60 acres

MMRC Spec Building

Morehead, KY 40351

County: Rowan County
Type of space: Industrial
Min Size: 48,320 sqft
Max Size: 48,320 sqft

Mt. Washington Business Centre

Mt. Washington, KY 40047

County: Bullitt County
Type of space: Vacant Land
Min Size: 91.10 acres
Max Size: 91.10 acres

Quick Answers

Available Sites & Buildings

Start/Grow Business

Workforce Training Info

Financial Incentives

Search Statistics

Export My Products

Capital

Investor Info

The Bluegrass Means Business

Kentucky is a Pro-Business Powerhouse

Kentucky is within one day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population

What They Say

Available Sites & Buildings

Recent News

Special Meeting Notice

Special Meeting Notice

Gov. Beshear Urges Kentuckians to Remain Vigilant on Social Distancing

Gov. Beshear: 92 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in biggest one-day jump

Gov. Beshear: Together Kentuckians will get through COVID-19

Gov. Beshear Urges Kentuckians to Stay Healthy at Home

Gov. Beshear Tightens Restrictions amid COVID-19

Gov. Beshear Acts to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Gov. Beshear Announces New Steps to Protect Kentuckians from COVID-19

Special Meeting Notice

Notice of Public Hearing - TO BE CONDUCTED VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE

Gov. Beshear Takes Aggressive Steps to Contain Spread of COVID-19

Meeting Notice

Gov. Beshear, Crown Holdings Executives Break Ground for 126-Employee Plant in Bowling Green

AtCorr to Create 31 Jobs with Glasgow Expansion

Startup Envision Modular to Create 85 Jobs in Hancock County

Gentis Solutions to Create 80 Jobs in Covington with New Headquarters

STEP CG to Add 83 Jobs with Expansion of Covington HQ

T. Marzetti Co. to Add 140 Jobs with Horse Cave Expansion

Shady Rays Expected to Create 38 Jobs at Simpsonville HQ

Kentucky Nation's Leading Whiskey Exporter

Meeting Notice

Eastern Kentucky's Logan Corp. Operation to Expand Again

African American Owned Kentucky Bourbon Distillery to Create 25 Jobs in Lexington

CGS Machine & Tool to Expand in Bowling Green, Create 15 Jobs