#22 KENTUCKY: Training Initiatives Fuel Manufacturing Sector
Economic development in Kentucky is gaining momentum. Terry Gill, secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, says the Bluegrass state attracted nearly $7 billion in new investments in the first half of 2017, shattering the full year record set in 2015. Gill attributes this to initiatives like right-to-work legislation and the Red Tape Reduction Initiative. “We move at the speed of business—not of government,” says Gill. “That’s been pivotal in our ability to take major projects from corporate inquiry to closed deal in as little as 90 and 120 days.”
Toyota recently announced a $1.33 billion investment in its Georgetown plant to refurbish and replace equipment to prepare for the company’s new global platform. Ford Motor also announced a $900 million investment in its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Gill says the state’s aluminum industry is “on fire” and being fueled by demand from automakers, parts suppliers and the aerospace industry. Braidy Industries will construct a $1.3 billion aluminum rolling mill in Greenup County that will create 550 advanced manufacturing jobs. Craig Bouchard, CEO, said that the passage of the right-to-work legislation was a key factor in bringing the project to the state.
#32 MISSISSIPPI: Quiet Growth in Aerospace and Automotive
Economic growth in Mississippi has trailed national averages in recent years, but the state’s manufacturing sector continues to expand. Glenn McCullough, Jr., executive director of Mississippi Economic Development, says it is the only state with both a Nissan and Toyota assembly plant and that it has seen more than $2 billion in auto manufacturing investments since 2012. Mississippi is also experiencing strong growth in aerospace manufacturing. Northrop Grunman, which recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its advanced manufacturing facility in Moss Point, announced a lease extension and additional investments to expand production of its unmanned systems. The aerospace sector also continues to grow at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.
Aerojet Rocketdyne announced last year that it would expand its Center of Excellence for Large Liquid Rocket Engine Assembly and Test to assemble its ARI advanced liquid rocket engine. “Man will go to Mars one day but the road there travels through Hancock County,” McCullough says. “The rockets that have powered every manned flight to outer space for the past 50 years, and the next 50 years, will be tested there.” Continental Tires is also performing site prep work on a $1.45 billion state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hinds County that is expected to start production in 2020 and create 2,500 jobs.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
