Solid information from people in the know is critical when you’re searching for a new business location. You want to be able to get the scoop from a single, trustworthy source.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development provides that source. With an average of more than 15 years experience in economic development, any member of our highly qualified business development team can be your single point of contact for the duration of the location process.

Kentucky offers a wealth of pro-business programs and services, including some of the most innovative tax incentives and business development programs in the nation. The state has many other advantages as well, including low business costs, an available and productive work force, central location, and more than 200 prescreened “shovel-ready” sites with fully available infrastructure and an equal number of quality industrial buildings.

Kentucky serves as the home away from home for nearly 390 international companies representing 26 countries. Exports to foreign countries are also big, contributing more than $19.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2007. The cabinet operates five international offices located in Europe, Japan, China, South America, and Mexico to assist in promoting direct investment to the state and to increase trade between Kentucky companies and international markets.

Logistics, Tech, and More
If you’re only vaguely familiar with Kentucky, chances are you know about us as home to the legendary Kentucky Derby, or as the birthplace of the fabled bourbon industry, or as the place where a certain fried-chicken enterprise is based.

All are points of pride, of course, but we’re also proud to be home to the massive global air hub for UPS, the world’s largest package-delivery company. Much of Kentucky’s burgeoning importance as a logistics center can be traced to the ongoing growth of UPS. A 2006 study showed that UPS had served as a catalyst for approximately 90 companies to either locate in Kentucky or expand their operations here in the previous five years, investing more than $1.2 billion and bringing more than 13,800 new jobs.

Corporate offices: Kentucky makes a great location for corporate headquarters and regional offices, among them companies such as Alltech Inc., Ashland Inc., Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Fidelity Investments, GE Capital Information Technology Solutions, Humana, Lexmark, Papa John’s, and YUM Brands.

Life sciences: Major advances in life sciences have been made in Kentucky, including pioneering work in artificial hearts, hand transplants, and the development and manufacture of oral and injectable medicines. Alltech, one of the world’s top animal-health companies, is headquartered in Kentucky and also conducts much of its research here.

High-tech assistance: To attract and nurture high-tech startups around the commonwealth, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development manages a statewide network of six regional Innovation and Commercialization Centers (ICCs) and six local Innovation Centers (ICs). These public–private partnerships help scientists and entrepreneurs turn intellectual property into market-ready products.

Automobiles: Kentucky ranks third in total automotive light-vehicle production nationally, thanks to assembly plants operated by Toyota, Ford, and GM. As of February 11, 2008, there were nearly 470 motor vehicle-related production facilities in Kentucky employing more than 87,000 people.

Energy rates: Kentucky’s energy rates are consistently ranked among the lowest in America, thanks in large part to the abundance of Kentucky coal.

Work force training: Kentucky’s work force training programs continually rank in the top 10 in national surveys. The ability to provide the flexibility and customization that companies require sets Kentucky apart.