Yesterday, Gov. Beshear issued a proclamation recognizing October as Manufacturing Month in Kentucky.

“While it’s one thing to issue this proclamation, it’s another to truly recognize how profound an impact manufacturing has on Kentucky’s economy, its communities and its families,” the Governor said. “Manufacturers in Kentucky employ about 260,000 people, full-time.”

He noted that Kentucky’s manufacturing base far outstrips the national average, with 13% of the commonwealth’s workforce employed in manufacturing versus 8.5% nationally. Kentucky is home to approximately 4,500 manufacturing facilities, from Fortune 500 companies to mom-and-pop operations.

“We produce dryers, aerospace composites, dump truck bodies, laundry baskets, concrete blocks, duct tape, pet food, construction cranes, cars, trucks and SUVs, cheese, craft beer, railroad ties, running shorts so much more,” Gov. Beshear said.

He noted that many of these same companies have aided the commonwealth’s coronavirus response by retooling or ramping up to produce crucially needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for Kentucky’s first responders.

“These companies make barriers, masks, gowns, disinfectant, face shields, intubation boxes, ventilator components and, of course, hand sanitizer,” Gov. Beshear noted. “PPE producers and their employees are true heroes in this epic fight against the coronavirus.”

The Governor said his administration continues to work to bring in new manufacturing projects to help the commonwealth bounce back stronger and better.