South Western Kentucky Announces Industry Appreciation Luncheon Celebrating National Manufacturing Month

10/06/2023

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council is excited to announce the annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for November 1, 11:30am at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, KY. This annual event celebrates the over sixty-five manufacturers who employ over 10,000 regional residents.  This year’s event will feature recognition of several industry milestone recipients, regional leaders, workforce, and education partners, and most importantly the industries and companies that have invested in South Western Kentucky.

The industry appreciation luncheon is held annually during/near October to honor and celebrate National Manufacturing Appreciation Month. Regional elected and civic leaders will be attending the industry appreciation luncheon to show their appreciation and support for the industries and companies that call South Western Kentucky home.

SWK EDC Associate Director Sharon Butts commented, “Our industry appreciation luncheon is always well attended providing a terrific opportunity to showcase and appreciate the existing industries in our region.  We enjoy this opportunity to remind our current businesses that they are a vital part of our region.”

Since 2020, the South Western Kentucky region has celebrated several existing industry expansions including White Drive Products, Altria, Novelis, Stanley Engineered Fasteners, Martinrea, Metalsa, Legacy Metals, and Casey Jones Distillery. These expansions have added over six hundred jobs and over $500 million in capital investment to the regional economy. The region has also celebrated several new company investments including Ascend Elements, Toyota Boshoku, SK Ecoplant, Delavan Ag Pumps, EZ Access, and Load Covering Solutions representing over seven hundred new jobs and over $1.3 Billion in new capital investment.

Tony Prim, SWK Associate Director for Business, Retention and Expansion, shared, “Beyond their tremendous financial impact, our existing industries and manufacturers are outstanding corporate partners supporting important community causes like the Rotary auctions, Kiwanis clubs, youth sports and activities, educational initiatives, and United Way to name a few.  We are honored to celebrate our existing industries and all manufacturers.”

Existing and new industries continue to fuel the regional economy with manufacturing gross regional product over $900 Million fueled by robust job growth and rising average wages. Regional entry level manufacturing wages are quickly approaching $20/ hour with regional manufacturing wages averaging over $75,000 (including benefits) according to a recent report sanctioned by Tennessee Valley Authority.

“We see strong signs for our economy with regional manufacturers enjoying our low tax, less congested environment and the logistical advantages afforded by our central location in the country. We believe continued the growth of our existing industries, the growing economic impact of manufacturing, and the announcement of several new industries provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate manufacturers and show our appreciation to the companies investing and creating jobs,” stated Carter Hendricks, Executive Director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council.

Tickets for the event are $25 and are available by contacting sbutts@southewesternky.com. For questions regarding this release or SWK EDC, please contact Carter Hendricks, Executive Director at 270-885-1499.