CEO Guide to Site Selection

Kentucky

EXCELLENCE AT EXPORTS

The Bluegrass State set a record for exports in 2023, exporting more than $40.2 billion in products, a 16.6% increase over the previous year. Some of the top experts included pharmaceuticals, medicines, motor vehicle parts and basic chemicals. Canada was the primary export destination, followed by the UK, France and China. Its also experiencing strong economic growth and an
impressive mix of large projects across many sectors. Auto manufacturing remains a top driver in the state. Toyota recently increased its investment to $1.3 billion for EV production in Georgetown, while Ford plans to introduce a new electric vehicle project at the Louisville Assembly Plant.

“Kentucky’s business-friendly climate, prime location and access to resources make it an ideal destination for companies to locate, expand and thrive.”
Andy Beshear
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

Kentucky Business Investment Program: Offers income tax credits and wage assessments to eligible companies that locate or expand operations in the state.

SBIR-STTR Matching Funds Program: Matches, on a competitive basis, up to $150,000 for Phase 1 and up to $500,000 for Phase 2 federal SBIR and STTR awards.

Kentucky Small Business Credit Initiative (KSBCI): Offers credit enhancement programs to help lenders finance creditworthy small businesses that would typically fall just outside of normal lending guidelines.

Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Skills Training Investment Credit (STIC): Offers grants and tax credits to businesses that sponsor skills training programs for their employees.

Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit: Encourages small business growth and job creation by providing nonrefundable tax credits to eligible businesses increasing employment and investing at least $5,000 in qualifying equipment and technology.

EDCs

Cabinet for Economic Development
ced.ky.gov

Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce
frankfortky.info/business-resources/start-a-business

Commerce Lexington
locateinlexington.com

Greater Louisville Inc.
greaterlouisville.com/economic-development

Louisville Economic Development Alliance
louisvilleky.gov

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

In 2024, the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation approved more than $19 million in funds and credits for 104 state facilities to train 42,600 workers, the most since 2016.
Types of operations that can quality for BSSC incentives include manufacturing, agribusiness, nonretail service and technology and headquarters operations.

BIG DEALS

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific announced in June 2024 it will locate a $48 million lab operation and create 69 jobs in Frankfort.
  • Mitsubishi Electric US announced in July 2024 a $143 million investment to repurpose an existing manufacturing facility and create 122 jobs in Maysville.
  • Mizkan America announced in July 2024 a $156 million expansion and 44 new jobs in Owensboro.
  • Piramal Pharma Solutions announced in September 2024 an $80 million expansion and 45 new jobs in Lexington.
  • Niagara Bottling announced in September 2024 plans to build a $130 million production facility and create 60 jobs in Frankfort.
  • Clark Beverage Group and Clark Distributing Company announced in October 2024 it will invest $130 million to expand operations and establish a headquarters and distribution facility in Bowling Green. The project will create 20 jobs.

BIG COMPANIES

  • Amazon
  • Baptist Health
  • BrightSpring Health Services (Fortune 500 headquarters)
  • Conduent
  • Humana (Fortune 500 headquarters)
  • Hyster-Yale Group
  • Toyota Kentucky
  • UPS
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

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:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.