News

GCED marked its Skybox Partners Luncheon with a $2 million KPDI grant announcement, a review of the year's project highlights, and plans for new spec buildings, housing, and infrastructure across Graves County.

On National Ag Day 2026, Graves County Economic Development celebrates the outsized role of agriculture in the local economy, noting that the county's farms cover more than a quarter-million acres and generate approximately half a billion dollars in annual revenue.

The Hickory Industrial Park expansion is making significant progress, with a 500,000-square-foot pre-graded pad, a new connector road, and a sewer lift station completed, as the next phase prepares to extend water, gas, electric, and fiber services along Hickory Road.

At its annual Targeted Business & Industry Awards dinner, Graves County Economic Development recognized 15 companies for investments totaling more than $26 million and the addition of 132 new jobs and 70 contract positions in Mayfield and Graves County.

Graves County Economic Development, with support from the Tennessee Valley Authority, released a new video promoting the Hickory Industrial Park's latest $3.5 million expansion — a pre-graded, build-ready site with direct highway access just four miles from I-69.

At the 2025 Skybox Partners Luncheon, Graves County Economic Development reported a strong fiscal year highlighted by 50 new acres added to the Hickory Industrial Park, a new spec building, a completed makerspace, and 77 new jobs added to existing businesses.

GCED's latest Plant Manager Roundtable featured Camp Graves, a local nonprofit providing temporary housing and support for area residents displaced by disaster or crisis.

GCED has launched a newly redesigned website, gravescountyed.com, giving prospects and community members easier access to property listings, workforce data, demographic information, and other economic development resources. President Jason Lemle called it a major step forward for showcasing the community.

The April Plant Manager's Roundtable featured presentations from the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce and Graves County Health Department, highlighting their services and partnerships with local business and industry.

Graves County Economic Development traveled to Frankfort for West Kentucky Thank You Night, meeting with state leaders and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development to advocate for continued investment and opportunity in Mayfield and Graves County.

GCED President Jason Lemle attended the Kentucky Supreme Court session honoring retired Justice John William "Bill" Graves, whose official portrait — painted by Mayfield artist Fred Biggs — was permanently dedicated among former justices of Kentucky's highest court.

The MakeMyMove remote worker relocation program has brought a total of four new full-time residents to Mayfield and Graves County since its launch, with community partners continuing to offer support and incentives to attract remote workers to the area.

PRCO America, Inc. became the first local manufacturer to utilize the Foreign Trade Zone designation at the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, allowing the company to defer duties on imported materials and reinforcing the region's strong transportation network.

Governor Andy Beshear joined local leaders for the groundbreaking of State38 LLC, Kentucky's first medical cannabis safety compliance facility, a $1 million investment in Graves County expected to create approximately a dozen full-time jobs.

Graves County Economic Development sponsored a Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring a panel of regional utility representatives who discussed the critical role of utility infrastructure and collaboration in supporting local economic development.

HVAC Distributing LLC is investing more than $5.3 million to expand its Hickory Industrial Park facility by 22,000 square feet, adding a showroom, marketing studio, customer service center, and training facility, with plans to hire approximately 40 additional employees.

Kentucky Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development Jeff Noel addressed Graves County Economic Development's Skybox Partners Luncheon, congratulating GCED on its accomplishments and emphasizing the central role of leadership in successful economic development.

Graves County Economic Development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Osmundson Manufacturing Company at the Hickory Industrial Park, welcoming Governor Andy Beshear and state and local officials to mark the start of the Iowa company's first out-of-state expansion.

At the February Plant Managers Roundtable, local business leaders heard from workforce board representatives about wage reimbursement for new hires and from DEVsource Technology Solutions about practical applications of artificial intelligence in business operations.

At the December Plant Managers Roundtable, Kentucky legislators previewed the 2026 state legislative session and sought business leader input on workforce issues, while employment professionals offered guidance on managing contract employees.

At the June Plant Managers Roundtable, the Mayfield Police Department and Graves County Sheriff's Office briefed local business leaders on workplace violence statistics and prevention strategies, followed by details on a regional transportation survey.

At the April Plant Managers Roundtable, Graves County business leaders received an update on the state and federal legislative session from State Representative Kim Holloway and field representatives from the offices of Sen. Mitch McConnell and Congressman James Comer.

At the February Plant Managers Roundtable, local business leaders received updates from Graves County Commissioner Tyler Goodman on county projects, heard from the Chamber of Commerce, and learned about a new public-private housing initiative.

Chris Grooms, President of Rick's Electric, met with upper-level electricity students at the ATC through Power in Partnership to share his career journey and what to expect from the electrical apprenticeship program.

Thirty local high school students toured MRCOOL, FNB Bank, the Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce, and Mayfield-Graves County Tourism as part of the Community Connections program, meeting with business and marketing professionals from across the community.

Greg Wilson, founder of Murray-based HempWood®, met with ATC carpentry students through the Power in Partnership program to discuss his hemp-based building materials and the math behind them.

Alex Cunningham, CFO of Fran Bearing Co., met with second-year machine tool students at the ATC through the Power in Partnership program to share how their work relates to what local manufacturers look for in new hires.

Progress Rail employees visited ATC welding and machining students to share career advice and insight into the company's hiring process, continuing GCED's Power in Partnership initiative.

MEWS linemen Geoffrey Beck and Rex Coleman visited the ATC's electricity class through Power in Partnership, sharing storm-response stories and career advice with students.