Companies pledged nearly $5.3 billion in expansions and new facility locations throughout Kentucky this year, making 2018 the second-highest in state history for corporate investment. From investments in 374 individual projects, businesses plan to create more than 14,500 full-time jobs in the coming years. Governor Matt Bevin said these year-end results are continued proof that private industry in Kentucky is surging forward. He added that the strong economic performance in recent years is further establishing Kentucky as the engineering and manufacturing hub of excellence in America. Kentucky’s highest-ever investment performance came in 2017 with more than $9.2 billion in corporate projects announced. This year’s announced investment surpassed the prior second-best of $5.1 billion in 2015.