| CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic
Development
Old Capitol Annex
300 West Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-7670
|
|
|
Kentucky Ranks 9th Nationally for Number of New
and Expanded Industry Projects in 2008
 The
results for Site Selection magazine's annual
Governor's Cup ranking are in, placing Kentucky 9th in the
nation for new and expanded industry activity in
2008.
The
ranking, which marks Kentucky's highest placement in the
ranking since its inception, is based on a state's total
number of qualified projects as tracked by Conway Data Inc.'s
New Plant database. Kentucky has the smallest population
of any state ranked in the top 10.
"Kentucky is proud to finish
as one of the top 10 in the nation for business expansion
activity during 2008," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "This
ranking demonstrates that even through tough economic times,
Kentucky can still be competitive in expanding our industrial
base."
Qualified projects include those that meet
at least one of three criteria: (1) involve a capital
investment of at least $1 million, (2) create 50 or more jobs,
or (3) add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor
space.
"Kentucky's economic development team
demonstrated in 2008 that it can deliver what a significant
number of corporate site selectors are looking for, even in a
challenging economic climate," said Mark Arend, editor in
chief of Site Selection magazine. "A top 10 finish in
our annual Governor's Cup competition should motivate other
site seekers to take a closer look at what's happening in
Kentucky."
In addition to the Governor's Cup, two
Kentucky metropolitan areas were recognized in their
respective categories for the number of industry location and
expansion projects. For metro areas with a population
less than 200,000, Owensboro and Bowling Green tied for 8th
place with six qualifying projects each.
A
total of eight smaller Kentucky communities also faired well
in the magazine's Top Micropolitan Ranking. Frankfort
(T14), Paducah (T26), Danville (T41), Glasgow (T41),
Madisonville (T41), Campbellsville (T65), Murray (T65) and
Somerset (T65) made the 2008 Top Micropolitans
list.
The article and rankings can be viewed in
their entirety at www.siteselection.com.
|
 |
|
Coca-Cola Enterprises Commemorates Grand
Opening of its Louisville Information Technology
Development Center
 Gov.
Steve Beshear recently joined officials from Coca-Cola
Enterprises, the world's largest marketer, distributor and
producer of bottled and canned liquid nonalcoholic
refreshment, to commemorate the opening of the company's new
Information Technology (IT) Development Center in
Louisville.
The 5,600 square-foot Business
Information Services (BIS) Development Center will be an
extension of IT services provided from the system's Atlanta
group, where Coca-Cola Enterprises is
headquartered.
"We are honored that
an internationally respected company like Coca-Cola
Enterprises has chosen to make its home in Louisville," said
Gov. Beshear. "This grand opening represents dozens of
new, high-quality job opportunities for individuals in the
Louisville community. I am pleased to welcome Coca-Cola
Enterprises to the commonwealth."
By the end of
March, Coca-Cola Enterprises will have 15 full-time employees,
and will continue to expand the Louisville Development Center
throughout the year with additional full-time employees and
interns. The company is recruiting from the local
collegiate base for the new IT and BIS Development
Center.
"One of the reasons that Coca-Cola
Enterprises selected Louisville for its Development Center was
that the local universities produce some incredible talent -
fresh young talent - that we need at Coca Cola Enterprises,"
said Anthony Nuzzo, vice president of development and
deployment for Coca-Cola Enterprises.
"Louisville
has a reputation as a very liveable place to be," said
Michelle Bellamy, senior director of global development for
Coca-Cola Enterprises. "As part of our commitment to community
and to work-life balance it is important to us at Coca Cola
Enterprises that our employees enjoy a good quality of life
outside of the workplace, as well as inside it. Louisville is
a perfect fit in this respect."
The
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily
approved Coca-Cola Enterprises in September 2008 for tax
benefits up to $730,000 under the Kentucky Jobs Development
Act, an incentive program designed to increase technology and
service-related employment in the
commonwealth.
Back
To
Top
|
|
|
Henderson, Kentucky Named
Best Warehouse Location in the U.S.
 Chicago
Consulting recently announced the selection of Henderson,
Ky., as the best location for warehouse operations, in
its list of 10 Best Warehouse Networks for 2009. The
annual ranking identifies the top 10 locations that serve the
U.S. population in the shortest amount of time, setting
benchmarks for companies interested in how more efficient
distribution can reduce their costs. Henderson replaces
Bloomington, Ind., for the top spot for
2009. "The switch from Bloomington to Henderson
was driven by higher than average growth rates in the
southeast - Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina," said
Terry Harris, Managing Partner of the firm. The
10 Best Warehouse Networks were developed with the firm's
proprietary optimizing software used to design supply chains
for its clients. Population was used as a proxy for a generic
company's customer pattern. Harris added, "Of
course, other issues such as highway infrastructure, real
estate costs, labor climate and so on are relevant as well,
but cost and service are the most important criteria when
designing warehouse networks. Harris explained
that Henderson, Ky., is the "best" place to locate one
warehouse because it provides the shortest distance to the
U.S. population and, therefore, the lowest outbound
distance. Further information can be
found at www.chicago-consulting.com.
Back
To Top
|
|
Cabinet to Hold Second Annual Business Plan
Competition
 The
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development will host its second
annual competition to find the best student entrepreneurs in
the state March 27-28 in Lexington. The "Idea State U"
competition involves students attending Kentucky's public
universities and provides cash awards to student teams
who develop the best business plans and business concepts
based on their ideas for innovative products and services.
All eight of Kentucky's public universities are
planning to send teams of graduate and undergraduate students
to the competition to be held at the Lexington Convention
Center. Over $100,000 in combined prizes and awards will again
make the event one of the nation's largest state-sponsored
business plan competitions. "Our young
innovators and entrepreneurs are a vital segment of the
Kentuckians creating ideas for new products and companies that
will generate jobs throughout the state," said Gov. Steve
Beshear. "The Idea State U competition is helping cultivate a
strong entrepreneurial spirit in Kentucky and provides support
to some of our most innovative start-up businesses."
"A big part of Kentucky's future economic
success will rely on growing our own businesses that can
commercialize new products and services," said Economic
Development Cabinet Sec. Larry Hayes. "The Cabinet for
Economic Development sponsors this competition because
technology-based economic development requires not only an
educated workforce, but also a large base of experienced
innovators and entrepreneurs to create jobs."
Last year's top team, the Partum Group out of
the University of Louisville, has since implemented its
winning business plan for a novel medical device and recently
received regulatory approval to begin testing a prototype on
patients. "This demonstrates the tremendous potential
that exists among our student population to generate
marketable ideas and take their business concepts and business
plans to the next level," said Deborah Clayton, commissioner
of the Cabinet's Department of Commercialization and
Innovation, which is planning and coordinating the
event. Additional information about the Idea
State U business concept and business plan competition is
available online at the competition Web site at www.IdeaStateU.com. |
|
|
|
National Award for Flexibility Now Open to
Kentucky Employers
Does your business offer any type of flexible work
arrangements for their employees or does your workplace
support a culture of workplace flexibility? If so, be sure to
take advantage of an exciting opportunity for your
organization to be recognized nationally for flexible and
effective workplace practices.
All Kentucky
employers are now eligible to apply for the Alfred P. Sloan
Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. The
Awards are part of When Work Works, a national,
community-based initiative that highlights the importance of
workplace flexibility as a strategy to enhance businesses'
competitive advantage in the global economy and to help both
employers and employees succeed.
Kentucky
has been selected as one of three states nationwide to
participate on a statewide level in the When Work Works
initiative. The Institute for Workplace Innovation
(iwin) at the University of Kentucky has been chosen to lead
the statewide When Work Works initiative alongside Greater
Louisville Inc., which will lead the Louisville area efforts.
When Work Works in Kentucky is guided by a coalition of public
and private partners who are interested in helping Kentucky
employers thrive in the global
economy.
"This is an excellent
opportunity for the state's businesses to showcase their
workplace flexibility practices and to get local, state and
national publicity," said Jennifer Swanberg, executive
director of iwin.
For employers to apply for the Alfred P. Sloan
Awards, employers must complete a short online survey that
takes about 20 minutes to complete. Applicants are benchmarked
against national employer data, and the top 20% will go on to
participate in a survey designed for their employees.
The employers who score in the top 20% overall receive
recognition as Award winners in a full-page advertisement in
USA Today, in the Congressional Record, in local media, and at
a statewide award ceremony. In addition, all employer
applicants receive benchmarking reports that can be used in
promotional materials or used as a tool to shape business
practices. There is no cost to apply, but the deadline is
April 6th. For more information about When Work
Works in Kentucky, the Sloan Awards, or iwin visit www.iwin.uky.edu.
|
|
|
Developing a Crisis Communications Plan
By: Joe Lilly, Executive VP of New West,
a public relations, advertising and marketing firm in
Louisville. The article was featured in the March issue
of The Lane
Report.
Only in
Kentucky could we feel the effects of hurricane-force winds
and an ice storm in the same 12 months. Those natural
disasters caused millions of dollars in damage and disrupted
lives for days, weeks or months.
Did those weather events disrupt your
business? If not, you're lucky. However, what would you do if
a major disaster - natural or manmade - happened to you? It is
in the quiet times that you should prepare your business to
withstand a potential crisis.
All businesses should
have a written crisis plan. In that plan, you should prepare
for the potential effects of different types of disasters.
Your preparations should include contingencies for continuing
your operations, protecting your facility and your data, and
dealing with your employees.
However, do not forget to
include communications in your crisis plan. Since your
reputation is your most valuable asset, you must protect
it.
Communicating with all of your
audiences during a crisis is critical. How you deal with
crises can enhance - or destroy - your reputation. When we
help our clients prepare a crisis plan, here are a few of the
suggestions we offer:
- Have a list of
contact information for all employees. Develop a system to
communicate with them immediately in case of
emergency.
- Have a list of
media contacts. You will need to disseminate accurate
information about your business. Do not let rumors or
inaccurate "word of mouth" stories damage your
business.
- Designate one
person to be in charge and determine who should talk with
the media. Let all messages flow through one source so there
are no conflicting stories coming from different company
representatives.
- Disseminate
regular news releases and advisories on your status and - if
necessary - ways your clients can reach you. Use e-mail to
stay in touch with your audiences.
- Have a list of
governmental contacts for possible use. It may be worthwhile
for you to keep civic leaders updated on the status of your
situation. They may be able to help you. At the very least,
they will appreciate the information.
- Keep in mind your
current advertising or marketing efforts. Determine whether
you should temporarily pull your ads or change your
marketing strategy.
- Keep your Web site
updated with fresh information. For that reason, you must
have a way to access your site from a remote location if you
have been forced from your facility.
- Have extra
business materials in a secure location. Stationery, contact
information, client lists, etc., should be accessible even
if you must operate from a secondary location.
- If your business
could be responsible for causing a disaster situation such
as a gas leak, explosion or chemical spill, notify
authorities immediately and keep them informed constantly.
Determine and communicate how you intend to remedy the
situation promptly and ensure safety.
This list barely
scratches the surface of preparations you need to make, but it
should start you thinking. Your next step should be to gather
your management team together to consider all possible crisis
scenarios and your best response to them. This will take time,
but it is essential.
Once you gather those details,
you'll need to create a written manual that includes general
directions for all to follow, including specific areas of
responsibility and contact information. Disseminate copies of
this manual to designated members of your management team.
Make sure you have copies available off-site.
Once you have
this manual prepared, revisit it regularly. Update sections as
needed, especially when personnel changes. Refresh and improve
your procedures. Do not let it gather dust on a shelf, or
worse, forget where you put it!
You never know when a disaster
will affect your company. However, if you ask the "what if"
questions now, you will be prepared to handle emergencies in a
calm and confident manner. This will help you manage the
problems more effectively and protect your company's
reputation at a time when it might otherwise be severely
tested.
|
|
|
|
Workforce Training Workshops Scheduled Across
the State
The Cabinet for Economic
Development's Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC) will
conduct seven training sessions across the state to
familiarize representatives from business and industry with
guidelines for the Grant-in-Aid and Skills Training Investment
Tax Credit programs administered by the
BSSC.
Scheduled throughout the month of April,
participants will learn about project funding limits, eligible
training types, the application process and the reimbursement
and credit process. Human resource managers, training
managers, plant managers and others from BSSC eligible firms
that are responsible for employee training are encouraged to
attend one of the training sessions. To determine
eligibility, refer to the BSSC Web site at www.thinkkentucky.com/bssc.
Pre-registration
is not required but recommended due to limited seating.
Registration requests may be emailed to CED.BSSCgrp@ky.gov or Jennifer.Burkhead@ky.gov, and must include:
name, phone number, company name, and location of desired
training session. The following is a list of scheduled
training sessions:
Owensboro
Tuesday, April 7
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CT
Owensboro Community & Technical Center
1501
Frederica Street
Owensboro,
KY
Maysville
Tuesday, April 14
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
ET
Buffalo Trace Area Development District
Kenton
Commonwealth Center
201 Government Street-Suite
300
Maysville, KY 41056
Kentucky Dam
Village
Thursday, April 16
10:00 a.m. - 12:30
p.m. CT
Kentucky Dam Village State Park Resort
113
Administration Drive
Gilbertsville, KY
42044-0069
Shepherdsville
Tuesday, April 21
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
ET
Paroquet Springs Conference Center
395 Paroquet
Springs Drive
Shepherdsville,
KY
Corbin
Thursday, April 23
10:00 a.m. - 12:30
p.m. ET
The Corbin Center for Technology and Community
Activities
222 Corbin Center Drive
Corbin, KY
40701
Prestonsburg
Tuesday, April 28
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
ET
Prestonsburg Big Sandy Area Development District
110
Resource Court
Prestonsburg, KY
41653
Lexington
Thursday, April 30
10:00 a.m. - 12:30
p.m. ET
KCTCS- Leestown Road Campus
164 Opportunity
Way
Lexington, KY
40511-2623
|
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
|
April 7 - 30, 2009, Series of Seven Workforce
Training Workshops, statewide (see article
above)
| |
