Our industrious and resilient community is aiming high for our future, and we are on target to achieve success. Located in the heart of West Kentucky, our region can offer strategic advantages in logistics for transportation needs. Interstate 69 and Highway 45 connect Graves County to other communities across Kentucky and Tennessee while seeing 17,000 daily commuters. Two riverports within 35 miles connect Graves County to industries across the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. With these advantages combined with rail infrastructure, a regional airport, and a local airport, Graves County has the logistical advantages to support business and industry needs.
Graves County fosters a business-friendly environment through low taxes and dedication to supporting our local industries. Furthermore, Kentucky is a business-friendly state, making Graves County a wonderful place for business growth. Our county’s industries are growing and outpacing expectations, with over 725 jobs and over $111.5 million in investment in the past 3 years from tornado recovery reinvestment and rehires, new industries locating in Graves County, and expansions from our existing businesses and industries. Mayfield is known as the centrifugal air compressor repair capital of the world, with 11 businesses which offer centrifugal air compressor repair services. We are home to many other industries that have chosen to locate here such as food processing, consumer products, lumber, and advanced manufacturing, including companies such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Mayfield Consumer Products, Progress Rail, HVAC Distributing LLC., Ingram’s Water and Air, MRCOOL, D&D Shoe Co. LLC, Dairyman’s Supply Company Inc., and many more.
Job growth has increased by 1.6% in 2022 and Wages have increased by 8.6% within our county in the last year. Our prime-age labor force participation rate is also on the rise as more people are returning to the workforce and seeking jobs, rising to 79.50%. Our total civilian labor force in our 45-minute drive time numbers over 150,000 workers and counting as our new labor force entrants is trending upwards.
With great logistics, thriving existing industries, and a talented workforce, Graves County is not just a great place for business- Graves County is the place for businesses and industries to call their home.
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Ingram's Water & Air Equipment - Jason Ingram, Owner
"Graves County Economic Development gave us the tools we needed to grow and expand our business without inhibition. We were originally looking at other properties in other counties, but none of them checked every box. When we began our relationship with GCED, they gave us the tools, the guidance, and the ability to find the perfect space for our business to flourish. They were able to accommodate our every need, such as easy access to a main highway and fiber optics. Graves County Economic Development was extremely willing to help us achieve success, and we’ve felt extremely taken care of ever since the start of our affiliation."
PRCO America, Inc. - Barry Heath, Plant Manager
“The management team at PRCO America has worked with GCED since we were beginning to look for a location to house our refractory brick manufacturing facility. There were many options in other states as well as other areas in Kentucky, but the folks at GCED were able to assist us in finding an existing building that fit our needs very well and provide several incentives for locating in the Mayfield / Graves County area. They have also assisted us with employee hiring and in finding training solutions for our new employees. We have been in this location for over a year now and still work closely with the folks at GCED.�
Atlas Equipment Services - Regina Browning, HR Director/Safety Coordinator
“Graves County Economic Development has provided us with the perfect solutions to strengthen our business. They sought us out to let us know all the resources that they had available to share with us. Their interest and eagerness to help us succeed as a business has given us tools to work with. Through one of their programs, a Targeted Business and Industry video was produced by Advantage Kentucky Alliance. We have used this video to showcase our target industries on various marketing platforms.�
Mayfield Consumer Products - Michael Staten, Plant Manager
“Pre COVID and Post COVID, GCED has been great in helping our business grow and creating the growth opportunities for our team. As a medium sized business, GCED understands the business environment we are under and the speed to market needs of our customers in getting things done quickly. Without the help of GCED, many opportunities would’ve gone to our competitors around the US and not to Graves County KY, and it’s because of their support as to why we’ve been able to grow, year over year in this area. Thanks to GCED for all their support and continued efforts in growing the economy, even during tough times, within Graves County.�
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