Industrial Foundation Works to Bring In, Retain Jobs

“It is a group that is very diligent in not only attracting business, but attracting the right kinds of business and industry for our community,” he said.

“That is a fair num­ber for a community our size,” he said. “We’ve got a great team of people who work together and sell our community not only to industry, but retail.”

Games said the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Metropolitan Statistical Area was ranked as one of the top five best places in the nation to work in manufacturing for 2017. He said the MSA, which covers all of Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties, also ranked ninth in corporate facility investments among MSAs with a population of less than 200,000.

Games said these types of recognitions, which are driven by existing manufacturers, allow the area to continue to thrive.

“Typically, 80 to 85 percent of new jobs in America are created by existing companies,” he said. “That is why the quality of existing companies is so important.”

Games also not­e­d the foreign investments in Har­din County with 11 foreign-owned plants, comprising companies from Japan, Germany, Nether­lands, India, United Kingdom and other locations.

“We are an international destination and that helps with other companies who are locating in the U.S. for the first time,” he said. It gives them a certain level of comfort to know that others have done the same in the community.”

“The things that make people want to come here and live here are extremely important for what I do,” he said.

Games said the community is incredibly important, as well as health care, shopping, recreation, entertainment and infrastructure.

Games said advanced manufacturing is a growing sector, with ample job opportunities. He said some of the only work prerequisites is work ethic, getting to work on time and being drug-free.

“There are great opportunities in the workforce,” he said. “If you know people who want a job, believe me, they are out there.”