Kentucky Economic Development Guide

Though it is well known for both bourbon and horses, Kentucky has crafted a diverse and sophisticated economy. Contributing to a Gross Domestic Product that tops $154 billion are headquarters for globally known companies such as Humana, Lexmark International, Louisville Slugger and the parent of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver's, as well as 400 international companies from 26 countries. Often called the "Auto Alley" for the presence of several vehicle manufacturing operations, Kentucky is also a hotbed for high-tech and life sciences opportunities, many kickstarted by research leaders such as the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. The state's superior quality of life includes an abundance of cultural, recreational and historic attractions, from Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green to Churchill Downs, the famed site of the Kentucky Derby.