SWK Continues Push to Get Ready 2 Win!  Announces Wage Survey and Grant Awards

01/08/2024

SWK EDC Announces Wage Survey and Grant Awards

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:           Carter Hendricks

Executive Director

                        270-885-1499

Release:           January 8, 2024

SWK CONTINUES PUSH TO GR2W

Announces Wage Survey and Grant Awards

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council (SWK EDC) has launched the 3rd annual regional wage and skill survey as a strategy of the “Getting Ready to Win” (GR2W) initiative.  The wage and skill survey is shared with regional industries and large employers to determine the current wage and benefit structure as well as any skill gaps, etc. 

SWK EDC Associate Director Tony Prim commented, “Workforce continues to be a main priority of our existing industries and our efforts in business retention and expansion.  This survey allows us to get a better understanding of industry opportunities and needs so we can partner with our regional education and workforce partners to meet those needs.”

The SWK EDC will utilize the survey information to provide greater direction to our workforce and industry partners to ensure the region has competitive wages and benefits and provides the educational and training opportunities to build the workforce of the future. 

In additional news, the region celebrated success in 2023 with the continued development of Ascend Elements at Commerce Park II, the groundbreaking of Toyota Boshoku’s newest facility, the continued expansion of Novelis, and an existing industry expansion at White Drive Products.  These four projects represent over 850 new jobs that will be available in the coming months resulting in over $1.6B in continued private and public capital investment impacting the regional economy.

Additional GR2W highlights include:

Secured company commitment from a new joint venture, Ascend/SK Ecoplant, to purchase the 100,000+ SFT spec building in Hopkinsville’s Commerce Park!

Completed construction on the 100,000+ SFT expandable spec building in the Interstate 24 Business Park in Trigg County!

Received a grant for utility relocations at the recently named John E. Walton Business Park in Elkton, KY. 

Received confirmation that the state of Kentucky approved a $2M product development grant for Todd County’s sewer capacity project.

Received confirmation that the state of Kentucky approved a $2M product development grant for the continued expansion of the I-24 Business Park in Cadiz, Kentucky.

Received a grant from TVA to develop a military manufacturing pipeline through Hopkinsville Community College’s Industrial Maintenance and Machine (IMM) program. 

“We remain committed to working with our regional partners to ensure South Western Kentucky is positioned to compete, win, and grow.    We remain focused because we recognize this work is about creating transformational opportunities for companies, our community, and future employees and their families.” 

For more information on this release, the SWK EDC, the region, and available sites, please contact 270-885-1499 or visit www.southwesternky.com.