The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council reflected on last year’s industry announcements and spotlighted what’s coming in 2025 at their Monday meeting.
Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks shared that 1,400 new jobs and over $302 million in regional investments were announced in 2024. Kitchen Food Company, Cinis Fertilizer and Buc-ee’s are among the latest investments and Altria and Huhtamaki announced upcoming expansions.
Kitchen Food is based in Australia and Cinis is based in Sweden, Hendricks says two international companies choosing to invest in Hopkinsville shows other organizations that southwest Kentucky is worth investing in.
In 2024, SWK Ignite hosted 32 industry tours for students planning to go into the workforce right after they graduate from high school and the council’s Tap Program connected over 15 retiring soldiers to regional jobs. The council was also able to secure over $5.6 million in grants for industrial development.
In 2025, Hendricks says the council is focusing on selling the Trigg County Spec Building, developing more industrial sites, constructing bridge and railroad infrastructure at Commerce Park II and hosting a naming ceremony for the John E. Walton Business Park in Elkton.
Hendricks then spotlighted the regional unemployment rates for November 2024. According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the state’s unemployment rate is 4.8% and regional rates have seen a slight uptick. Christian County is at 5.6%, Trigg County is at 5.1% and Todd County is at 4.5%.