International Support

Kentucky serves as your primary gateway for foreign direct investment (FDI) and international business expansion in the United States. 

• No. 1 in Air Cargo by Landed Weight
• No. 1 in Producer of Passenger Vehicles Per Capita in the U.S.
• No. 4 in Cost of Doing Business Nationally
• No. 5 in Foreign Direct Investment

Within 600 miles of half the U.S. population, 56 % of its manufacturing workforce, and 52 % of personal income, Richmond provides direct reach to markets that drive business performance.

Why International Companies Choose Richmond

International manufacturers, logistics providers, technology firms, and more choose Richmond to establish and scale their North American operations. See our Local Manufacturers.

Unmatched Reach in North America

Access major North American automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing supply chains seamlessly via Interstate-75 and Interstate-64.

Proximity to Global Freight Hubs

Benefit from direct proximity to two of the world’s premier international cargo hubs: UPS Worldport in Louisville (SDF) and the Americas Hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG).  Get direct flight access to New York, Chicago, and Atlanta through the Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington. There is also direct access to regional corporate aviation at Central Kentucky Regional Airport located in Madison County. 

Certified Shovel-Ready Infrastructure

Reduce site preparation costs and construction timelines with pre-graded, utility-ready land, including CSX-certified heavy industrial sites.

Competitive Cost Environment

Lower your operational overhead with low corporate tax structures, competitive utility rates, and low real estate costs compared to major metropolitan centers.

Kentucky Is Home to Names You Know

✔️Companies With a Long Tradition of Winning
✔️Businesses With High-Tech Backgrounds Ready for the Future
✔️Industry Leaders

• Kentucky ranks 5th nationally in FDI employment
• 530+ internationally-owned facilities employ more than 115,000 workers
• 217 internationally-owned automotive facilities employ more than 58,000 workers

German Partners

Japanese Partners

• Japan is the top FDI country in Kentucky. 200 Japanese-owned facilities employ 47,000 people.
• Since 2020, 89 projects have been announced by Asian companies, representing a total of nearly $14.3 billion in investment and 13,500 new jobs.

Our International Support Services

Expanding into a new global market involves complex regulatory, operational, and site selection decisions. Select Richmond partners with international executive teams, site selectors, and foreign trade delegations to simplify every stage of your investment.

Site Selection

We provide tailored property matches from our inventory of heavy-industrial zoned sites, build-ready industrial parks, and expandable facilities.

Incentive Coordination

We work alongside the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and federal partners to structure competitive incentive packages for foreign investors, including tax credits, customized workforce training grants, and infrastructure development assistance.

Inter-Agency & Government Relations

We serve as your single point of contact to streamline local approvals and connect you with key federal and state trade agencies and global trade representatives.

Workplace/Cultural Integration

We help international firms build a skilled, loyal workforce from a regional labor pool of over 680,000 workers.

Select Richmond To Expand Your Global Footprint

Whether you are evaluating your first North American site or expanding your existing U.S. footprint, Select Richmond is ready to assist. Contact our team today.