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 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.

American Legion Post 26 and Disabled American Veterans Post 106 presented donations to GCED to cover meals for Graves County High School JROTC students during an upcoming Community Connections field trip to Fort Campbell, supporting student career exploration.

GCED has received a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support workforce development and business growth efforts across Graves County.

GCED's Plant Manager's Roundtable featured WKCTC Workforce Solutions director Ashley Burns, who outlined customized training programs already underway in Graves County — including employer-funded courses at Premier Candle and a welding program at the Graves County Jail. Premier Candle's HR Manager Wade Dinkins, initially skeptical, called the program flexible and highly specific to his company's needs.

GCED has been awarded a $2 million KPDI grant to construct two 60,000-square-foot speculative buildings in Mayfield's Grace Commercial Park in partnership with Youngblood Excavating & Contracting Company.

Graves County Economic Development welcomes Premier Candle US Corp., which acquired Mayfield Consumer Products on April 2, 2026, continuing the area's legacy in candle and home fragrance manufacturing.

Mayfield Consumer Products is investing $3.25 million to expand its Hickory Industrial Park production facility, adding a 63,000-square-foot warehouse and approximately 14 new positions to meet growing customer demand for its candle and home fragrance products.

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.

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.

Upper-level ATC carpentry students toured Goodman Lumber & Flooring, Kendor Wood, Power Truss, and Dairyman's Supply Company through the Power in Partnership program to explore career options in the lumber and wood manufacturing industries.

FNB Bank Vice President Jessica Tucker, herself an ATC alumna, visited the school's accounting class to share her career path and emphasize the growing demand for accountants, demonstrating that successful careers can begin with ATC training.

ATC machine tool students visited six local companies — including Progress Rail, Fran Bearing, Universal Compressor Solutions, and Mayfield Consumer Products — through a Power in Partnership field trip to see machine tools in action and explore job opportunities.

The Community Connections program brought approximately 28 local high school students to Jackson Purchase Medical Center and the Graves County Health Department to explore the wide range of healthcare careers available locally and begin building industry relationships.

Local high school students with interests in media visited news and communications businesses through the Community Connections program, getting an inside look at available local media careers and beginning to build professional networks that may lead to internships.

Laura Clifford and Megan Vinson from Fox & Company CPAs visited ATC accounting students through the Power in Partnership program to discuss the daily work of a CPA, how to prepare for the CPA exam, and accounting degree opportunities at Murray State University.