Speed Kentucky Plans Owsley County, Kentucky, Operations

Area Development News Desk

10/02/2026

Utility task vehicle producer and distributor Speed Kentucky plans to establish operations in Owsley County, Kentucky. The $1.47 million project is expected to create 60 jobs.

The company’s new facility will support final assembly and distribution of Speed UTV models for customers throughout the region.

“We’re excited to bring Speed UTV’s first Eastern U.S. operation to Kentucky and grateful to the state and local community for helping make this opportunity possible,” said Speed Kentucky cofounder Robby Gordon. “Kentucky’s strong outdoor and industrial communities make it a great place to grow this part of our business, including opportunities connected to the region’s coal and natural resource industries. I want to thank Jim Lewis and Erik Hubbard for their leadership and commitment to bringing this project to Speed UTV. Jim will lead the effort in Kentucky and is already building a local team. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Owsley County community. We’re looking forward to creating jobs, serving customers across the East and growing the Speed UTV brand here.”

To support the project, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1.3 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment and annual job and wage targets. KEDFA also approved up to $30,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. By meeting its annual targets, the company can claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

“Today we’re celebrating a major win for Owsley County, with Speed Kentucky announcing the largest investment on record for this community and the creation of 60 new, full-time jobs,” noted Governor Andy Beshear. “I am proud to welcome this team to their New Kentucky Home and look forward to working with them as we bring this $1.47 million facility to life. Together, we’ll ensure success for this team, the Owsley County community and our leading manufacturing industry.”

Speed Kentucky can also receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers, including no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

“Today’s Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approval of an incentive package for Speed Kentucky is a significant victory for Owsley County,” added Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority Chairman Darrin Gay. “After more than 25 years of effort to recruit a business for our industrial park, we are excited about what this means for the future of our community and the people who call Owsley County home.”

Speed Kentucky is a joint venture between Kentucky businessman Jimmy Lewis and motorsports champion Robby Gordon.

Recent Project Announcements