South Western Kentucky welcomed 500 new jobs and more than $440 million in regional capital investments in 2021.
New locations like PJ Clark and Load Covering Solutions took root in Cadiz. Hopkinsville fixtures in Martinrea and Metalsa saw expansions. Novelis opened in Todd County, and immediately announced a second phase of growth. A 100,000 square-foot spec building was completed in Christian County.
Hopkinsville was named the “Batter Capital of the World,” and a “Charged & Ready” initiative announced by the SWK Economic Development Council capped commitment seeking jobs connecting the electric vehicle market in central Kentucky and western Tennessee.
But with 2021 now in review, it’s prudent now to look at 2022 and into perpetuity.
During Monday’s session with tri-county officials, this was the message from SWK EDC Executive Director Carter Hendricks.
So what does 2022 hold? Hendricks briefly outlined eight targets for this fiscal year.
■ Selling the 100,000 square-foot spec building in Hopkinsville.
■ Breaking ground on a 100,000 square-foot spec building at the Interstate 24 Business Park in Cadiz.
■ Partnering with local schools for Senior Year Job and CO-OP Fair, planned for April 28.
■ Launching workforce awareness tours with Fort Campbell and local schools.
■ Continuing site development in Christian, Todd and Trigg counties.
■ Continuing strong implementation of the “Charged & Ready” EV initiative, by developing EV academies and an Electric Highway fast-charging network.
■ Targeting some marketing at c-level executives and decision-makers.
■ And advocating for infrastructure, transportation and tax reform.
November 2021 unemployment numbers were in good shape: Christian County, 3.6%; Todd County, 2.3%; Trigg County, 3.1%; regional average, 3.0%; Kentucky, 3.0%; U.S., 4.2%.
But Hendricks again urged that workforce participation rate is something interested businesses comb-over more than unemployment numbers, because it shows the true number of potential workers available to apply for jobs, rather than those jammed in the unemployment system.
Currently, Trigg, Christian and Todd counties have a 55% participation rate of those aged 18-to-65 working. That’s close to the national average. It’s the other 45%, Hendricks added, that needs to be targeted for further expansions and employee drives.
A ninth goal for 2022: improve the workforce participation rate in South Western Kentucky with interesting, lucrative jobs.
The SWK EDC convenes again February 28.
