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October is Manufacturing Month in Kentucky

Manufacturing industry accounts for 220,000 jobs in state

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 30, 2014) — Gov. Steve Beshear has proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month.

kentucky_seal_resizedKentucky is home to more than 4,000 manufacturers that account for 220,000 jobs and represent $27 billion in gross domestic produce (GDP).

Last year more than 200 manufacturers announced new locations or expansions in the state. Those projects are expected to create nearly 7,500 jobs and $2.2 billion in new investment. In the past five years Kentucky’s manufacturing GDP has grown by more than a third.

Manufacturing also makes up a significant portion of Kentucky’s growing exports.

Last year, the commonwealth exported a state record $25.3 billion to approximately 200 countries. Exports this year are up nearly 10 percent, far exceeding the national average of 3 percent. Kentucky’s top exports are aerospace products, motor vehicles and parts, and resin, rubber and fiber materials.