South Western Kentucky Region Announces “Charged and Ready” Initiative

11/29/2021

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South Western Kentucky Region Announces “Charged and Ready” Initiative

SWK EDC partnering with three county-regional leadership to ensure the region is prepared for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. 

 

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council is excited to announce the SWK “Charged and Ready” initiative aimed at working with our local and regional governments and utility providers to ensure South Western Kentucky is developing the infrastructure, industrial sites, and workforce necessary to support the emerging EV industry.

Judge Executive Steve Tribble commented, “I am thrilled to partner with my peers and colleagues throughout our region to ensure we are doing all we can to prepare for the emerging electric vehicle industry.  With our location, proximity, skilled workforce, and strong automotive sector, we believe we are uniquely positioned to support and benefit electric vehicle manufacturing.”

With a proven automotive workforce in a young and growing region and less than 200 miles from both of the recently announced Ford/ SK Innovation projects in Elizabethtown, KY and Stanton, TN and being located in the geographic center of the Southern Automotive Alley, the SWK region is perfectly situated to assist EV and automotive related projects.

Additionally, in 2019, the City of Hopkinsville installed the first “public charging station” at the former Sudden Service location on HWY 68/80 in downtown Hopkinsville demonstrating the region’s early commitment to electric vehicles! 

The “Charged and Ready” initiative will focus on five key priority areas to ensure our region is developing the infrastructure and skills necessary to compete for and support the manufacturing of electric vehicles.  Priority areas include:

  1. The development of regional “electric highways” by working with local utility providers and the Tennessee Valley Authority to identify strategic locations for the development of a regional fast charging infrastructure along the region’s key corridors including I-169, I-24, and HWY 68/80. 
  2. The launch of a new page on the SWK EDC website and marketing materials focused on the strengths, assets, and resources the SWK region provides for electric vehicle manufacturing.
  3. The continued development of industrial sites suitable for EV related projects such as Commerce Park II, the I-24 Business Park, and Warren Property in Todd County in addition to the Spec Building in Commerce Park I.
  4. The identification of workforce skills needed for the emerging EV industry to ensure local workforce partners and educational systems are training the regional workforce for the EV opportunities of the future.
  5. The identification of grants available to assist the implementation of the “electric highway” infrastructure and workforce development funds to assist with the training and preparation of the EV workforce.

Todd County Judge Executive Todd Mansfield stated, “The South Western Kentucky region continues to lead by example with our recent commitment to broadband and this exciting effort to ensure we are prepared for the quickly emerging electric vehicle sector.  As companies and business learn about our region, they appreciate that we are business friendly with our low tax rates and have a sincere desire to help companies grow.”

South Western Kentucky leadership will work with a variety of partners to ensure the successful implementation of the “Charged and Ready” initiative.  As Trigg County Judge Executive Hollis Alexander asserted, “The strong collaborations and partnerships shared between Christian, Todd, and Trigg Counties has prepared our region to be able to move quickly with this initiative.  We are truly charged and ready to succeed and will do all we can to help EV related companies plug-in and grow with us in our award-winning communities.”

For questions regarding this release, information about our sites and region or the SWK EDC, please contact Carter Hendricks, at 270-885-1499.