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The $9.2 billion comes from 333 private-sector projects across the state.

The companies planning those projects are collectively expected to create more than 17,200 jobs — the highest number of future employment positions committed to Kentucky in any single year since 2000, according to state officials. Of those 17,000-plus jobs, 6,450 will be located in rural counties and nearly 4,600 will be in Jefferson County.

“Kentucky’s record-setting performance this year in job creation and corporate investment is a direct result of the pro-business legislation, policies and programs we’ve enacted over the past two years,” Bevin said in a state news release.

The governor has made increasing economic development one of his administration's core goals. He credits Kentucky's right-to-work law, which the Legislature approved last year, with bringing new business to the commonwealth. (The law prohibits employers from automatically deducting union dues from workers' paychecks.)

In 2017, companies that already operate in the Bluegrass State announced that they would create more than 7,000 jobs and invest more than $4.6 billion there in the coming years, while businesses new to Kentucky are expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs and invest more than $4.5 billion in the commonwealth over time.

The state scored a few billion-dollar projects last year as well as many smaller ones. Amazon intends to establish a new shipping hub in northern Kentucky for close to $1.5 billion, Toyota is working on a roughly $1.3 billion upgrade for its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Braidy Industries Inc. plans to construct a $1.3 billion aluminum rolling mill in Eastern Kentucky.

Deana Epperly Karem, vice president of regional economic growth for Greater Louisville Inc., said the 2008 economic recession was tough, but businesses have begun investing and expanding in Kentucky again, especially over the past couple years.

"Throughout the recession, our economic development officials were really investing time and energy just to support what they had," she said. "So now you’re seeing communities coming up out of that and companies feeling more confident about making investments in new technology and new product lines."

Karem credited local economic development officials throughout the state with embracing social media and other tools to promote their communities and the amenities they offer, and she also praised the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for focusing on attracting business from international companies as well as domestic ones.

Last year, the state attracted approximately $2.3 billion in future investments from internationally owned companies, which are expected to generate 2,950 jobs in Kentucky, according to the state government's news release.

Looking ahead, Karem suggested Kentuckians consider how marketable they are to the businesses that have promised to make significant investments in their communities.

"I would be looking at my skillsets... and then invest or look into opportunities where you can train yourself up," she said. "We want our smart, hardworking people to stay here and have their lives and have their careers, and these job opportunities give us a chance to retain our kids and our grandkids for future opportunities here."

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Date: 01-04-2018

By Morgan Watkins
Courier-Journal

Kentucky Press News Service