Since the pandemic, the economic trajectory for Trigg, Christian and Todd counties has headed in a welcome, positive direction.
That’s according to South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks, who — during Thursday morning’s Christian County Chamber of Commerce Industry Eye-Opener Breakfast at the Silos Event Center — offered supporting evidence for such a claim.
Between Spring 2020 and Spring 2024, leadership from the tri-county region made 16 new business-related announcements — nine for brand-new industries and seven for existing — and this totaled more than 1,500 new jobs and $10 billion in direct/indirect revenues to the community.
And this, he added, didn’t include the arrival of several small businesses and/or restaurants that don’t require incentives for startup.
In 2020, this included expansion to Stanley Black & Decker, as well as revelations in all three counties.
In 2021, Martinrea and Metalsa — almost back to normal after a destructive fire — both had expansions, while Load Covering Solutions in Trigg County and E-Z Access in Christian County both came online.
In 2022, Hendricks noted the record year involved expansions of Casey Jones Distillery, Legacy Metals and Novelis, with new details from Ascend Elements and Delavan Ag Pumps.
In 2023, the second-strongest industrial year in the last two decades included expansion from White Drive Products, new construction from Toyota Boshoku, and the triggering of construction work with Rural King in the heart of Hopkinsville.
A growing workforce, he added, wants to work hard, and play harder — meaning tourism in the region has matched economic trends.
Hendricks also urged that Hopkinsville joined the $1 billion-dollar equivalent payroll club in 2023, after being just under $850 million in 2020, while industrial wages — particularly for entry level, welding and maintenance — have increased in the same stretch.
Improvements and focal points for the future, he said, involve labor force participation rates climbing over 60%, the selling of two spec buildings, the continuing development of industrial sites, the advocating of pre-industrial infrastructure, and a revising of the SWK EDC’s strategic plan.
Another focus: housing. Hendricks said more than 1,000 new jobs are on the 18-month horizon, and county leadership will want workers to live in this watershed.
Todd Mansfield, Todd County judge-executive, recognized Novelis Corporation for winning Kentucky’s Association of Manufacturer’s Large “Manufacturer of the Year” Award.
Jerry Gilliam, Christian County judge-executive, celebrated the Walmart Distribution Center for recently snagging three national awards: Regional DPS Distribution Center of the Year, Supply Chain Distribution Center of the Year and Safety Distribution Center of the Year.
And he gave nod to the region’s future.
U.S. Bank served as the lead sponsor. Save the Date: Christian County’s Annual Chamber Dinner is set for Thursday, June 20, at the Bruce Convention Center.
