Gov. Andy Beshear designated October as Manufacturing Month in Kentucky, as the industry continues to be a driving factor in the Commonwealth’s record economic growth and job creation, employing over 260,000 Kentuckians.
“Kentucky’s historic economic success is fueled in part by our essential manufacturing industry and the hardworking people across our commonwealth who help these companies succeed,” said Gov. Beshear. “From our diverse food and beverage sector to the automotive and aerospace markets that are reaching new heights every year, manufacturing is at the center of our success and that will continue to be true for decades to come.
“Thank you to every manufacturer creating good-paying, quality jobs for Kentuckians and distributing Kentucky-made products around the globe.”
Kentucky’s best six years on record for private-sector growth, from 2020 to 2025, have been in large part thanks to the growth of the commonwealth’s manufacturing presence, and the industry has spurred rising wages for families throughout the Commonwealth.
The industry also contributes $47.5 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product.
Since the start of the administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 970 private-sector new-location and expansion announcements from manufacturers that are creating more than 48,000 full-time jobs for Kentuckians with over $46.2 billion in new investment.
In 2025, manufacturing was responsible for $9.3 billion in new investment and more than 7,500 full-time jobs for Kentuckians. That’s 89.8% of all corporate investment announced in the commonwealth for the year and nearly 79% of all job creation.
Manufacturing growth has continued into 2026, with 35 manufacturing-related projects announced year-to-date, contributing over $7.8 billion in new investment and nearly 2,000 full-time jobs.
That success is supported by a growing number of good-paying job opportunities for Kentuckians, with the average incentivized hourly wage surpassing $26 in four consecutive years for the first time.