Kentucky’s manufacturing industry stands as one of the driving forces behind the commonwealth’s economic strength and recent historic momentum. From advanced automotive production to aerospace technology, agritech and health care, Kentucky manufacturers are fueling growth, creating well-paying jobs and shaping the future of the state.
The commonwealth plays an outsized role in the nation’s manufacturing sector through the thousands of businesses statewide – from single-person shops to international companies, and the approximately 260,000 Kentuckians employed in the industry.
To celebrate the importance of this rapidly growing sector and its ongoing success, Gov. Beshear recently designated October as Manufacturing Month throughout the state, celebrating the industry’s more than 6,000 facilities statewide.
“Our manufacturing sector plays a critical role in nearly every single industry that supports the commonwealth, our communities and our economy,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This growth is building and shaping an economy that benefits all Kentuckians, attracting quality businesses and well-paying jobs to every corner of the state. With over 6,000 facilities – from small businesses to multibillion-dollar brands –employing over a quarter million Kentuckians, our manufacturing industry is a big reason more people are choosing us to build their New Kentucky Home.”
The state’s manufacturing sector has been a catalyst for the best five years on record for private-sector growth and has spurred rising wages for families throughout the commonwealth. Manufacturers also contribute $47.5 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product.
This year alone, Gov. Beshear has announced several significant investment and job-creation projects by existing Kentucky manufacturers.
In June, the Governor announced GE Appliances will create 800 jobs with a $490 million investment at its global headquarters at Appliance Park in Louisville. The project brings laundry production to Kentucky as the company reshores production from China.
In August, he joined Ford Motor Co. to announce a $1.9 billion investment at the Louisville Assembly Plant to produce an all-new electric vehicle and secure 2,200 full-time jobs at the facility.
Also in August, Apple and Corning announced plans for a $2.5 billion commitment in Corning’s Mercer County facility to produce 100% of the cover glass used in iPhones and Apple Watches. Leadership at Apple indicated the project will help increase Corning’s manufacturing and engineering workforce by 50% in Kentucky. The project is part of Apple’s broader commitment to invest over $600 billion in the U.S. economy over the next four years.
Recent significant announcements aren’t the only exciting element of Kentucky’s manufacturing sector. The commonwealth is also home to thousands of companies producing name-brand goods and services being used worldwide every single day.
Central and Northern Kentucky are home to manufacturing centers for JIF, Post-it Notes, Airheads and Mentos, L’Oreal and Tiffany engagement rings. Western and southcentral Kentucky feature brands such as Smucker’s, Champion Petfoods, Dippin’ Dots and Dixie plates and bowls. Meanwhile, Eastern Kentucky produces Gatormade trailers, Duraflame Logs, Pop-Tarts, Hot Pockets and charcoal briquettes. And disco balls, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, White Castle frozen burgers and Ford vehicles all come from the Louisville Metro area.
Since the start of the administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 845 private-sector new-location and expansion announcements from manufacturers that are creating more than 42,000 full-time jobs for Kentuckians with over $33.3 billion in new investment.
Kentucky’s manufacturing momentum has continued into 2025, with 49 manufacturing-related projects announced year-to-date that are contributing to over $4.4 billion in new investment and over 3,200 full-time jobs. That success is supported by a growing number of well-paying job opportunities for Kentuckians, with the average incentivized hourly wage surpassing $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Manufacturers looking to locate a new facility or expand existing operations find that the commonwealth provides all the needed resources to accommodate long-term growth. Kentucky’s ideal central geographic location places the state within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population and income. Combined with state-of-the-art infrastructure, Kentucky’s location allows manufacturers to quickly distribute products to key U.S. markets, while global air cargo hubs in Louisville and Northern Kentucky by UPS, DHL and Amazon provide fast and reliable distribution overnight anywhere in the world. Low business costs, including a rate among the lowest industrial electric costs in the country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensure companies can continue to grow and create great jobs for Kentuckians.
Coupled with the state’s expansive logistics and distribution industry and its various channels for educating, training and developing future skilled manufacturing employees, Kentucky is building a foundation that will allow its manufacturing industry to continue being an integral part of the state’s record economic growth and job creation.
Members of the editorial and news staff of USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.