FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — State officials say Kentucky posted its strongest first quarter on record for private-sector economic investment, with more than $7 billion in announced and approved projects through the first four months of 2026.
According to the governor’s office, Kentucky has now secured more than $50 billion in private-sector investment and more than 70,000 new jobs in recent years.
Several major projects were highlighted in the latest announcement, including a $7.3 million manufacturing investment in Perry County expected to create 60 full-time jobs.
Other projects include a $1.76 billion uranium enrichment facility in McCracken County, a $113 million logistics campus in Bullitt County, a $142 million waste-to-energy facility in western Kentucky and an expansion project in Boone County.
State officials also reported average wages for incentivized projects have continued to rise, topping $31 per hour so far in 2026.
The announcement also pointed to record export numbers in 2025, with Kentucky businesses shipping more than $50 billion in products globally.
State officials also announced a new initiative called New Kentucky Home, a statewide marketing campaign aimed at promoting Kentucky’s economy, tourism, quality of life and communities to businesses, workers and visitors.
