FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 25, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced further site and building development across the state as three Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) projects were approved for nearly $2.6 million in state funding.
Site and building development projects in Fulton, Hickman and Hopkins counties were approved today in the second round of the program.
“As we look to build on our state’s record economic momentum of the past four years, it is crucial that we prepare today for the investment and job opportunities of the future,” said Gov. Beshear. “The support that the KPDI program provides for Kentucky communities ensures they have the resources necessary to accommodate growing industry across all our key growth sectors. Congratulations to the three communities that received approval today. I look forward to these investments resulting in quality jobs for Kentuckians.”
The initiative, overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development, provides funding for local communities to further invest in site and building upgrades to support future, well-paying jobs and economic growth across Kentucky.
Fulton County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority Inc., was approved for $500,000 in state funding for a more than $4.1 million project. The funds will support replacement of a conveyor system and provide related upgrades at the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport.
The Hickman County Fiscal Court, in partnership with the Hickman County Industrial Development Authority, will invest $182,000 into the development of a site in the Enterprise Park Clinton. The project was approved for $91,000 in state support.
The city of Dawson Springs, on behalf of West Hopkins Industries Inc., was approved for $2 million in state support for a $4 million project. The community seeks to complete site readiness preparation and construct a 100,000-square-foot spec building.
"Every community in the commonwealth understands the impact that job creation and business recruitment has and are anxious to create local manufacturing and innovation booms powered by well-paying jobs," said Terri Bradshaw, interim president of KAED. "This investment will ensure our infrastructure is built, buildings are erected and properties are developed to allow the continued creation of jobs for the citizens of Kentucky, which is vital to keep our economy moving forward."
Round 1 of the program concluded in December 2023, with 53 projects statewide approved for $31.2 million in funding. Including local contributions, these projects are generating over $123 million in investments in Kentucky’s sites and buildings portfolio.
In December of 2023, Gov. Beshear
announced 46 site and building development projects in 45 counties advanced to the due diligence stage of Round 2 for further review, with $68.8 million available to support the projects.
In January, the Governor
announced the first location to receive approval in the second round of the program, with nearly $2 million allocated to support site development in Campbell County.
In February, Gov. Beshear
highlighted site and building development projects across 13 counties. Over $15 million in state funding was awarded to support projects in Clark, Clinton, Graves, Green, LaRue, Laurel, Logan, Montgomery, Nelson, Pulaski, Scott, Wayne and Webster counties.
And in March, the Governor
recognized projects in two counties. Over $2.3 million in state support was approved for projects in Breckinridge and Pike counties.
During the 2022 legislative session, Gov. Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly approved $100 million in funding for the initiative.
Site and building development projects are first evaluated by an independent consultant based upon all facets a prospective company would consider, from workforce availability, access to all infrastructure and detailed information on costs associated with development. In turn, these projects will generate increased economic development opportunities and job creation for Kentucky residents.
The initiative furthers the efforts of the pilot PDI program, which provided nearly $7 million in state funding for 20 site development projects statewide. Companies have announced economic development projects at 10 of the locations funded during the pilot PDI program, projecting $4 billion of capital investment and 3,500 new, full-time jobs.
Investment in site development throughout Kentucky builds on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $30.6 billion in announced investments, creating more than 52,500 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kentucky’s credit outlook from stable to positive.
In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. Previously, Site Selection placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top 5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.
For more information on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, visit KPDI.ky.gov.
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