Consultants Forum   |   FacilityLocations    |   FastFacility    |   Advertise   |   Subscribe   |   Newsletter   |   RSS RSS
Inward Investment Guides
United States Inward Investing Guide

United States Inward Investing Guide

Location USA is a guide for international companies looking to invest or establish operations within the United States. Location USA provides practical advice and guidance about facilities deployment, labor force skills, taxes and incentives, and more. For specific information on all 50 states, utilize the State Resources links.


Kentucky Is a Global Business Center
Area Development Online Research Desk (Location USA 2012)
 
Kentucky remains a leading location for foreign direct investment. Since January 2010, approximately 30 percent of all announced new investment resulted from FDI activity. Today, nearly 400 foreign-owned companies from almost 30 nations employ more than 75,000 people in the state.

Companies such as Safetran Systems (United Kingdom), UFLEX (India), Denyo (Japan), SORD (Australia), and Linamar (Canada) have all made recent investments in the Commonwealth. This demonstration of confidence in Kentucky's pro-business climate is a testament to the state's ability to aggressively compete globally for new jobs and investment.

Manufacturing Confidence
Manufacturers in the Bluegrass State are having great success and their numbers are growing. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers planned to hire between 1 and 19 employees in 2012.

Ford Motor Co. is spending $1.2 billion to transform its Louisville Assembly Plant into the company's most-flexible, high-volume factory in the world, as well as to upgrade its Kentucky Truck Plant, also located in Louisville. UFLEX Ltd., based in India, is investing $180 million in Elizabethtown to build its first manufacturing facility for its flexible film products.

German-owned ZF Steering Systems is also growing in a big way in Northern Kentucky, investing $95.8 million and creating 374 new jobs, while Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas just announced it will begin production of lithium-ion battery packs in Harrodsburg and open a third Kentucky facility in Berea, bringing its new investment total to $154.5 million since 2009.

Large on Logistics
In addition to its manufacturing strength, Kentucky is a logistical paradise. The state is located within 600 kilometers of 65 percent of the American population. Two international airports and two top air cargo hubs (UPS and DHL) helped rank Kentucky third in total air cargo shipments in 2010. Kentucky also has 90,000 miles of navigable rivers, major rail and river ports, five interstates, and nine major highways.

Command Central
Kentucky is home to a variety of corporate headquarters, including YUM! Brands (KFC and Pizza Hut), Lexmark, Humana, Tempur-Pedic®, and Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America.

While some started in Kentucky, others have relocated to the state for its favorable business climate, low energy costs, progressive incentive programs, highly skilled and educated work force, significant logistical and geographic advantages, and superior quality of life.

Florida Tile, a fully owned subsidiary of Italy's Panariagroup, relocated its headquarters to Lexington, gaining an advantage by being near its existing manufacturing and distribution operations in Lawrenceburg. Korean-based Arcron Systems, which manufactures medical IT technology, will soon establish its North American headquarters in Northern Kentucky.

Competitive Incentives
Many of Kentucky's successes have been possible because of the state's new and revised tax incentive programs for companies that locate, expand, or reinvest in the state. Since July 2009, hundreds of companies received approval through these programs and are implementing or considering investments totaling nearly $4 billion across Kentucky, with the potential to create or retain more than 30,000 jobs.

Companies looking for low business costs, competitive incentive programs, a central location, and an excellent quality of life will discover that Kentucky also offers the "can-do" work force and business environment that they need to succeed.

Location Profile
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Connect

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Erik Dunnigan, Commissioner, Business Development
Old Capitol Annex
300 West Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
800-626-2930
Fax: 502-564-3256


 
X
Save/Share Article
Have questions, comments or concerns about this article? Submit to Ask Area Development here and the author or an expert from our network of site selection and facility planning professionals will answer:
News Items
 
Around The Web
 
Studies/Research
News Items
 
Around The Web
 
Studies/Research
State Resource map
Click on any state for links to current state news and data, contact directory, corporate taxes, financial and business incentives, credits, grants and available buildings and sites
State Resource Sponsor
United States Inward Investment Location Profiles
ARIZONA
Arizona - A Great Place For Business

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic economies in the United States. Both Fortune 500 and start-up technology companies call Arizona home, reaping the advantages of a competitive business climate and tax structure; a skilled, knowledge based work force; and world-class innovation, cultural, and scenic resources.

ARKANSAS
Your Success Story Starts In Arkansas

Arkansas's transportation network and central U.S. location define the state as a strategic distribution center. Midway between Mexico City and Montreal, Arkansas offers a valuable distribution advantage.

Little Rock, Arkansas: A Globally Recognized Brand

For two years in a row, the Little Rock region has been named "America's Fourth Strongest Economy" by the Brookings Institution's MetroMonitor. The Wall Street Journal calls it the nation's "Sixth Best Real Estate Market," while Forbes says it is America's "Seventh Best Place for Jobs."

KANSAS
Wichita, Kansas USA - Site of Choice for Advanced Manufacturing Enterprises

Wichita, better known as the Air Capital of the World, has also been ranked #1 U.S. metro for aviation manufacturing. Wichita has the highest concentration of aircraft and aircraft parts manufacturing employment (skills) in the United States.

KENTUCKY
Kentucky Is a Global Business Center

Kentucky remains a leader in attracting foreign direct investment, with nearly 35 percent of announced new investment in 2012 due to FDI activity. Today, about 420 foreign-owned firms from 30 nations employ nearly 80,000 people in the state.

NEW YORK
Think New York for Business Opportunity

When you hear "New York" you probably think of tall buildings and Wall Street — not cows, pastures, and a state whose leading industry is agriculture. In fact, we have both, and the world is taking notice of the abundant milk supply, sophisticated transportation system, and oneday access to almost 100,000,000 consumers.

OHIO
The Columbus Region Grows Increasingly Global Each Year

The Columbus Region is a thriving 11-county area located in Central Ohio. Home to 15 Fortune 1000 headquarters, with two million people and a population growth rate of 1.3 percent annually, the Columbus Region is one of the fastestgrowing major metropolitan areas in the Midwest, and is growing more and more global each year.

The New Ohio — A Leader in New Job Creation

Profitable. Diverse. Motivated. Strategic. Global. These are the words that describe the new Ohio and make us a leader in new job creation in the U.S.

OKLAHOMA
Tulsa - Where Business Grows

Home to more than 950,000, Tulsa, Oklahoma, perfectly balances convenience and affordability with the advantages of a highly skilled work force, a central location, a pro-business atmosphere, and an excellent quality of life. It is a dynamic, growing region that offers the fifth-lowest cost for doing business in the nation and is home to some of the nation's largest companies. These assets combine to make an ideal home for progressive companies competing in a global economy.

TENNESSEE
Select Tennessee for Your Next Investment

Tennessee's ideal location, strong transportation infrastructure, low costs of doing business, and high quality work force provide an attractive setting for investments from around the globe. With most major U.S. markets within a day's drive, Tennessee provides immediate access to eight interstate highways, an extensive network of railways and waterways, and the world's second-busiest freight airport in Memphis.

WEST VIRGINIA
Plastics - West Virginia's Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

Offering one of the highest concentrations of hightech, specialty, and engineering polymer production in the world; an abundance of necessary raw materials; a knowledgeable, highly trained and productive work force; and established transportation systems; it is no wonder West Virginia is home to a vibrant and growing plastics industry.