Economy

The overall cost of doing business and cost of living in the Owensboro region is considerably lower than the national average. Owensboro and Kentucky consistently rank among the top ten lowest business cost locations in the country.  Industrial electric costs are among the lowest in the United States.

Aluminum

Locating your business in the Greater Owensboro region puts you in great company. Many recognized global brands already know it’s smart to call this region home. The region is the largest producer of aluminum in the United States. This region has three aluminum smelters and several value-added metal-related manufacturing facilities.  The following metal manufacturers and suppliers are located in the region:

  • Aleris Rolled Products
  • Century Aluminum
  • Columbia Specialty Metals
  • McElroy Metals
  • Southwire
  • The Hines Group

Automotive

The region is home to a large highly skilled workforce in automotive manufacturing representing several automotive suppliers that serve Toyota in nearby Princeton, Indiana as well as other manufacturing facilities throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The following automotive manufacturing suppliers are located in the region:

  • Daicel Safety Systems
  • Daramic
  • Metalsa
  • OMICO
  • Ritatsu
  • Toyotetsu

Agriculture

The region is an agricultural hub with a plentiful supply of water in aquifers for food production. Western Kentucky University offers a unique Food Processing and Technolgy Undergraduate Certificate. Global food brands produced in the region include the following:

  • Bertolli
  • Field Hams
  • Glenmore Distillery
  • Perdue Farms, Inc.
  • PF Chang
  • Ragu
  • Sazerac Spirits