FRANKFORT, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear announced on Thursday that a new food manufacturing company has selected Kentucky to establish a facility that will create over 900 jobs. This project is recognized as the fifth-largest job initiative since he took office.
Kitchen Food Co., an Australian-owned premium ready-meal enterprise, plans to open a prepared foods facility in Hopkinsville, which will provide 925 new jobs as part of a $69 million investment, according to Beshear. Hopkinsville is situated approximately 170 miles southwest of Louisville, Kentucky.
“This announcement highlights Kentucky’s continuing economic progress and demonstrates that the state is ready for business from international companies,” Beshear remarked during a press event. He emphasized that this year has been another exceptional period for economic growth within the state. He noted that it ranks as the fourth-highest year for economic investment in Kentucky’s history, with 170 announcements for new locations and expansions in the private sector, accumulating over $6.9 billion, and resulting in 9,425 new full-time positions.
Since the start of his administration in late 2019, the state has celebrated achieving its top three years for private-sector investments. Notably, the average incentivized hourly wage for new positions has reached over $26 an hour for three consecutive years, marking a historic milestone.
The governor remarked that the changing economic landscape has shifted how Kentucky is perceived nationally, transforming it into a “premier destination” for business opportunities. “People are finally recognizing us as a state that is moving forward, rather than looking down on us,” he stated. “It is certainly an exciting time to be a part of Kentucky.”
Beshear often begins his weekly press conferences by highlighting positive developments in economic growth for the state. The Republican supermajority in the state legislature contends that these record-setting private-sector investments stem from policies implemented by the GOP that support business growth.
As he looks ahead to 2025, Beshear indicated that his priorities would continue to center around job creation, infrastructure development, education, and healthcare. Following his reelection last year, he is one of several Democratic governors speculated to be potential candidates for the presidential nomination in 2028.
In a recent interview, he reiterated these critical issues while suggesting what qualities Democrats should seek in their next presidential nominee, including affordable healthcare, robust public education, and increased safety measures within communities. “The next Democratic nominee should be pragmatic and results-driven,” he argued. “They need a proven track record of helping citizens lower their costs and improve financial stability, along with a commitment to enhancing the nation’s infrastructure.”