Maureen Carpenter, executive director of the Barren County Economic Authority, speaks to a crowd gathered outside U.S. Bank for an announcement from the USDA and BCEA in Glasgow on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTO)
GLASGOW, Ky. – Local elected officials in Barren County proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month, and the Barren County Economic Authority (BCEA), manufacturers and school systems will be promoting this top industry throughout the month.
Manufacturing directly supports over 2,600 jobs in Barren County, but the economic impact of those jobs is another 1,830 in indirect and induced jobs that result in an estimated compensation impact of over $136 million annually.
“Barren County’s economy is driven by manufacturing,” said BCEA Executive Director, Maureen Carpenter “For every manufacturing job created, there is a ripple effect in other sectors and manufacturing further stimulates the economy by bringing outside money into the community. That is why Manufacturing Month is critical, promoting the things we make in Barren County, the manufacturing careers available and the industry as a whole.”
Over the past decade, Barren County has seen a 2.3% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Manufacturing in Barren County makes up 20.4% of the total local GDP compared to only 11.3% in the nation. “I am proud of the manufacturing done right here in Barren County,” said County Judge-Executive Michael Hale, “our manufacturers take care of our community, our people, and I would like to thank them for choosing Barren County to call home.”
The month kicked off on Friday with a Facebook Live Event of the reading and signing of the joint proclamation on Manufacturing Day.
“We are proud to support our local manufacturing firms here in the City of Glasgow,” said City of Glasgow Mayor, Harold Armstrong “we appreciate the jobs that they create for our people and the support they provide to the community,” said Dwayne Hatcher, Cave City mayor. “Our manufacturers play an integral role in lifting up people and communities, now we have a special opportunity to stand and support them for all they do and show our appreciation for their contributions.” and Larry Poteet the Mayor of Park City “Park City is proud to be a part of this initiative to raise awareness of the
opportunities in manufacturing and to show our gratitude for the impact manufacturing has on our communities.”
There will be several virtual tours released to the school systems to share with students, these videos will also be posted on Facebook and the BCEA website. A few of the manufacturers sharing their stories include Felker Brothers, Dickerson Lumber, Amneal and SpanTech. The BCEA will also be sharing additional facts about manufacturing, products made in Barren County, career pathways in manufacturing and special interviews throughout the month. Be sure to like the BCEA Facebook page and look for #MFGBarrenCo.
For more information about the Barren County Economic Authority call (270) 651-6314 or visit: www.barrencoea.com.
