Kentucky

Economic Development

The Sky’s the Limit

Kentucky meets the growing workforce demands of aviation and aerospace companies by redeploying a surplus of highly-skilled workers from industries such as coal and steel. We’re helping lead the charge. In 2017, we launched Appalachian Sky to bring more aerospace and aviation companies to central Appalachia, where the number of skilled metal workers is eight times the national average.

Appalachian Sky

Taking Off Together

Our operating company, Kentucky Power, provides service across 20 eastern Kentucky counties that are ripe with opportunity. Ready to go? So are we. Meet our team in Kentucky.

Amanda Clark

Manager of External Affairs and Economic Development

Work with Amanda

Three Things To Know

I have been actively involved in community and economic development for many years. Before joining AEP, I was the Vice President of Operations for Ashland Alliance, the regional economic development organization for Northeast Kentucky.
I serve on the boards of TENCO Workforce Development, Ashland Housing Authority, Ashland in Motion and Pathways to Bright Futures. I am the vice-chair for Ashland’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Ashland, and am an executive board member for CMH 23, a regional television channel highlighting up-coming stars and tourism along the Country Music Highway.
I am a graduate of Marshall University and The Economic Development Institute at The University of Oklahoma.

Bob Shurtleff

Manager of External Affairs and Economic Development

Work with Bob

Three Things To Know

I’m in my third decade of service to this region at AEP, and I’ve served in a number of technical and management positions with an increasing scope of responsibilities, including line mechanic, team leader, distribution line supervisor, supervisor of distribution services, and technician supervisor.
As the manager of distribution services for Kentucky Power’s Pikeville Service District, I oversaw all electricity distribution operations for customers in Pike, Floyd, Knott, Martin, Johnson, Morgan and Magoffin counties in eastern Kentucky. I also oversaw the district’s customer services, marketing, community affairs and safety functions.
I earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and played for the Wildcat football team.

Working with Amanda: Three Things To Know

I have been actively involved in community and economic development for many years. Before joining AEP, I was the Vice President of Operations for Ashland Alliance, the regional economic development organization for Northeast Kentucky.
I serve on the boards of TENCO Workforce Development, Ashland Housing Authority, Ashland in Motion and Pathways to Bright Futures. I am the vice-chair for Ashland’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Ashland, and am an executive board member for CMH 23, a regional television channel highlighting up-coming stars and tourism along the Country Music Highway.
I am a graduate of Marshall University and The Economic Development Institute at The University of Oklahoma.

Working with Bob: Three Things To Know

I’m in my third decade of service to this region at AEP, and I’ve served in a number of technical and management positions with an increasing scope of responsibilities, including line mechanic, team leader, distribution line supervisor, supervisor of distribution services, and technician supervisor.
As the manager of distribution services for Kentucky Power’s Pikeville Service District, I oversaw all electricity distribution operations for customers in Pike, Floyd, Knott, Martin, Johnson, Morgan and Magoffin counties in eastern Kentucky. I also oversaw the district’s customer services, marketing, community affairs and safety functions.
I earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and played for the Wildcat football team.

Lay of the Land

Kentucky Power serves 166,000 customers in the Bluegrass State.

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Key Industries in Kentucky

Aerospace & Aviation

Energy & Chemicals

Healthcare

Metals

Boundless Advantages

It’s easy to imagine your business taking flight in Kentucky. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the state has the second largest percentage of manufacturing workers in the south, and the ninth lowest cost of doing business. The advantages of doing business in Kentucky are boundless.

Economy Overview

Kentucky’s borders are within 600 miles of over 65 percent of the nation’s population, personal income and manufacturing business establishments.

Kentucky is well-served by 20 interstates and major highways, major rail networks, barge traffic on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, five commercial airports and dozens of regional airports.

Labor costs are significantly below the national average – almost 20 percent lower than the United States average.

Kentucky offers workforce recruiting and training assistance for new and existing employees at no charge.

From innovative K-12 schools and apprentice-style training to cutting edge research universities and continuing education programs, education is a way of life in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Innovation Network features 13 offices located throughout Kentucky that offer startup and capitalization assistance, as well as mentoring to turn small businesses into larger ones.

The cost of living is more than 10 percent lower in Kentucky than the U.S. average, and housing costs alone are up to 30 percent lower.

For more, visit the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development webpage

Power in Kentucky

We bring energy solutions to meet your biggest challenges. In addition to reliable and cost-competitive power, when you choose Kentucky, here’s what you get from us.

Economic Development Incentives

We offer an Economic Development Rider to encourage development through reductions in electric rates for major expansions and new investment.

- To qualify, each new investment must create at least 500 kW of new maximum billing demand over a base level and could receive a temporary demand charge discount of up to 50 percent depending upon the length of the contract.
- In addition, a supplemental demand discount of up to 5 percent may be available for customers who create and sustain 50 or more new jobs.
- Creating and sustaining at least 25 new jobs may qualify for a reduced supplemental demand discount.

Competitive Rates

Our industrial rates are lower than the national average.

Kentucky

Economic Development

The Sky’s the Limit

Taking Off Together

Three Things To Know

Three Things To Know

Working with Amanda: Three Things To Know

Working with Bob: Three Things To Know

Lay of the Land

Key Industries in Kentucky

Aerospace & Aviation

Energy & Chemicals

Healthcare

Metals

Boundless Advantages

Kentucky’s borders are within 600 miles of over 65 percent of the nation’s population, personal income and manufacturing business establishments.

Kentucky is well-served by 20 interstates and major highways, major rail networks, barge traffic on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, five commercial airports and dozens of regional airports.

Labor costs are significantly below the national average – almost 20 percent lower than the United States average.

Kentucky offers workforce recruiting and training assistance for new and existing employees at no charge.

From innovative K-12 schools and apprentice-style training to cutting edge research universities and continuing education programs, education is a way of life in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Innovation Network features 13 offices located throughout Kentucky that offer startup and capitalization assistance, as well as mentoring to turn small businesses into larger ones.

The cost of living is more than 10 percent lower in Kentucky than the U.S. average, and housing costs alone are up to 30 percent lower.

Power in Kentucky

Economic Development Incentives

Competitive Rates

Featured Sites

Coal Fields Regional Industrial Park

EastPark – Site B