The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council focused on workforce participation, recent community achievements and regional unemployment rates at their meeting on Monday.
To start the meeting, Council Executive Director, Carter Hendricks shared that workforce participation across the region has been lower than average for the past five years. With the outreach work the council has been doing with regional high school students and retiring soldiers, Hendricks says he hopes to see participation rise.
Hendricks also talked about artificial intelligence, quality of life and wages as factors impacting workforce participation.
Following his report, Hendricks thanked members of the council for their involvement in the United Way of the Pennyrile’s 2023-2024 campaign. Hendricks shared that regional industries really stepped up their participation and looks forward to supporting the next campaign.
Hendricks also recognized the Hopkinsville Walmart Distribution Center for recently receiving multiple awards. The distribution received awards for Regional Distribution Center of the Year, Supply Chain Distribution Center of the Year and Safety Distribution Center of the Year.
To conclude the meeting Hendricks shared unemployment numbers from December in Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties. In Christian County the unemployment rate was 4.7%, Trigg County’s rate was 4.2% and Todd County’s rate was 3.5%. Hendricks says the rates have remained consistent.