{{RELATEDLINKS}}Kentucky remains a leader in attracting foreign direct investment, with nearly 30 percent of announced new investment in 2014 due to FDI activity. Today, more than 430 foreign-owned firms from 31 nations employ nearly 85,000 people in the state.

Companies such as iwis (Germany), Champion Petfoods (Canada), T.RAD (Japan), Diageo (United Kingdom), and Faurecia (France) have all made recent investments in the state, showing Kentucky can compete globally for jobs and investment.

Manufacturing Confidence
Kentucky manufacturers are having great success and their numbers are growing, especially in the automotive industry.

Ford Motor Company recently started producing the Lincoln MKC at its Louisville Assembly Plant. Ford also is investing $80 million and creating 350 new jobs at its Kentucky Truck Plant to meet surging demand for F-Series Super Duty trucks.

Toyota is upgrading its facility in Georgetown, Ky., to be the first-ever U.S. production site for the Lexus ES 350 model, the top-selling Lexus sedan in the world. The first Lexus vehicles are expected to roll off the assembly line this fall.

The General Motors plant in Bowling Green, Ky., produces the iconic Corvette. The plant recently underwent a $131 million upgrade, including $52 million for an all-new body shop.

Large on Logistics
In addition to its manufacturing strength, Kentucky is a logistical paradise, located within 600 kilometers of 65 percent of the U.S. population. Five commercial airports and two top air cargo hubs (UPS and DHL) help rank Kentucky third in air cargo shipments. Kentucky also offers major rail and river ports, 19 interstates and major highways, and the most miles of navigable rivers in the lower 48 states.

Workforce Training
While other states are creating programs to develop the workforce of the future, Kentucky is reinventing the system. The Kentucky Skills Network, a new statewide workforce initiative, provides employers efficient, quality, and seamless workforce services and resources, all in one place. For companies, the network serves as a competent system that assists businesses in finding, training, and preparing its workforce. For employees, the network helps put individuals on a path to a career by providing training and retraining opportunities.

Kentucky also puts a high priority on bringing industries and schools together to provide apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship is an industry-driven concept that focuses on on-the-job training and is supplemented by technical classroom instruction. This nationally recognized certification offers programs for a variety of careers and industries.

Come discover why so many global companies have found that Kentucky is a great place to build a business.