Kentucky pays tribute this month to one of its largest and most significant sectors as Governor Steve Beshear proclaimed October Manufacturing Month in the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth is home to more than 2,400 manufacturing facilities. These companies contributed more than $36 billion to Kentucky’s economy last year and approximately 235,000 jobs.
Kentucky-made products represent to the U.S. and global markets the innovation, diligence and abilities, both broad and specialized, of the Commonwealth’s workforce.
Manufacturing in Kentucky continues to grow. Last year, 252 manufacturers announced facility expansions or new locations in Kentucky, creating a projected 7,724 jobs and more than $3.1 billion in investments. Through September, announcements totaled 150, with 3,831 jobs and more than $1.5 billion in investments. Each year, manufacturing announcements accounted for more than 70 percent of all announced projects.
Kentucky’s exports connect directly to the manufacturing sector. Last year, the Commonwealth exported a state record $27.5 billion to nearly 200 countries. That’s a 9 percent increase over the previous year compared with the national average of just over 2 percent. Kentucky’s top exports by dollar amount are aerospace products, motor vehicles and parts, synthetic rubber and resin and pharmaceuticals.
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