Beshear credits local efforts for state’s economic development honors
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Gov. Steve Beshear pauses for a photo with the members of the Bardstown Industrial Development Corp. board.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 10 p.m. — Gov. Steve Beshear visited the Great Hall at My Old Kentucky Home State Park Wednesday to celebrate the community’s role in Kentucky being named the top state for economic development projects per capita last year.
With a glistening silver trophy next to him, Beshear called Bardstown and Nelson County a “good friend to this Commonwealth.” Beshear credited the county’s successful economic development efforts in 2014 as one of the efforts responsible for the state’s top ranking from Atlanta-based Site Selection magazine.
In addition to the state honors, the magazine named Bardstown and Nelson County among the nation’s top micropolitan areas in business creation.
Beshear compared the Site Selection ranking to the state winning the NCAA championship — not by cheerleading, but by helping create jobs, attracting new businesses and encouraging existing businesses to expand.
Site Selection magazine presents its Governor’s Cup award to the state with the most large-scale economic development projects on a per-capita basis.
“You’ve helped make this community a vibrant place that people want to live in,” he said. “That’s key to economic development.
“Companies are choosing Kentucky because they like what they see here,” he said.
Bardstown has played a significant role in growing Kentucky’s economy. Since January 2008, the region announced 38 new and expansion projects, which are projected to create 360 jobs and $179 million in new investment.
Nelson County’s major economic development projects in 2014 included a dozen new businesses or business expansions worth nearly $115 million in new investments that will create 166 new jobs.
“This progress isn’t accidental,” Beshear said. “It happens by strategically planning your efforts and then working that plan.”
Gov. Steve Beshear enjoys a moment with state Rep. David Floyd prior to the start of Wednesday’s event at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Click to enlarge.
Beshear said that unemployment in Kentucky is lower than the national average, and wages are up more than $10,000 since 2010. The state’s export market continues to rapidly expand, too, he said.
Kentucky’s houseboat builders were hit hard by the recession, but since the push began to increase exports of Kentucky products, houseboats built here are being exported to the Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Beshear gave credit for the state’s success to those who built successful partnerships between state and local economic development efforts, with the cooperation of local business leaders and elected officials.
“Local leaders stepped up, your community stepped, and together, we make these things happen,” he said.
Gov. Steve Beshear and David Mandell, president and CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company, stop for a photo with the Governor’s Cup award from Site Selection magazine. Click to enlarge.
David Mandell, president and CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company, credited local leaders and economic development team for building relationships built on trust and love of community.
“That’s how you attract business,” he said. “And that’s why we’re investing $25 million right here in Bardstown.”
Mandell said his company is building a “whiskey experience like no other” on 100 acres of the Nelson County Industrial Park. Once completed, the Napa Valley-style campus will include a visitor’s center with educational tours, tastings, event space, and eventually a restaurant and boutique hotel.
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