SWK EDC RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025

02/27/2026

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact:          Carter Hendricks

Executive Director

                        270-885-1499

Release:          February 27, 2026

SWK EDC RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025

Organization highlights over $2.7 Billion in Investment and 9000+ jobs since 2022

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council (SWK EDC) recently released its 2025 annual report focusing on the activity, announcements, and economic impact since 2022.  The organization’s mission is to create new jobs, capital investment, and assist in improving the quality of life for all residents and businesses.

According to the recently released Boyette Report, since 2022, the SWK region has seen over $2.7 Billion in new private capital investment which has led to the creation of over 9,000 direct, induced, and indirect jobs because of thirteen industry announcements or expansions.

SWK EDC Executive Director Carter Hendricks shared, “We are fortunate our manufacturing sector continues to grow providing more opportunities for residents, communities, and businesses throughout the 3-county region. This growth is being fueled by expansions and new announcements and openings such as Kitchen Food Company, Toyota Boshoku, and several retail projects, like Buc-ee’s.”

In 2025, the SWK region celebrated and highlighted:

  • Kitchen Food Company began construction to build out the 100,000SF shell building at Hopkinsville’s Commerce Park creating over nine hundred full-time jobs and investing $69 million.
  • Toyota Boshoku celebrated the grand opening of their $225M smart facility in Hopkinsville’s South Park with over 130 employees. 
  • Brazeway celebrated a line expansion with $3.75M in investment and twelve new jobs.
  • Buc-ee’s purchased land to break ground on a $75 million investment for a new retail location at Exit 89 in Oak Grove creating over two hundred new full-time jobs.
  • SWK IGNITE conducted forty industry tours and the annual Job Fair with over thirty employers, which impacted over six hundred young people with better awareness and access to manufacturing sector job opportunities.
  • Through the Getting Ready to Win (GR2W) initiative, the SWK EDC applied for over $5 million in grant revenue to continue development at the John Walton Business Park in Elkton, KY, I-24 Business Park in Cadiz, KY, and Commerce Park II in Hopkinsville, KY. 
  • Enjoyed the support of over fifty contributors who proudly invest in economic growth and opportunity for regional residents and small businesses.

“With low taxes, developed industrial sites, and a strong workforce, our region has enjoyed strong economic activity with even more opportunity on the horizon.  Regional leadership remains committed to supporting our existing companies while working to identify the next opportunity for growth and investment. We invite any new company to enjoy their new Kentucky home in our region,” stated Hendricks.

For an electronic copy of this release or for more information on the region, and available development sites, please contact 270-885-1499 or visit www.southwesternky.com.    To request a free copy of the 2025 Annual Report, email sbutts@southwesternky.com.