Opportunities abound in the local area

You may be familiar with the News Journal’s quarterly publication, Strictly Business Magazine, which we publish in conjunction with the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. It has been released four times a year for several years now, and exists to highlight interesting and exciting developments related to businesses in our local area.

We have worked alongside the Southern Kentucky Chamber to produce some really nice magazines over the years, but the one that will be hitting streets in a few weeks is definitely going to be among my all-time favorites. It is jam-packed with information regarding economic growth in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties, so this week I just wanted to offer a little preview.

I have had many opportunities over the years to go inside some of our region’s largest manufacturing facilities. I have been fortunate to speak with plant managers and have them explain to me what all happens on their respective production floors on any given day. It always fascinates me to see the nuts-and-bolts of an operation, because from the outside looking in, it is typically very difficult to truly understand the scope of what is being accomplished, and how the efforts of workers in one facility contribute to the much broader picture of the manufacturing process that ultimately results in the production of the vehicles, appliances, equipment, etc. that many of us will use on an almost daily basis.

Case in point, Jones Plastic and Engineering, which will be spotlighted in an upcoming magazine article on the many ways that Whitley County Schools is currently investing in the vocational training and overall career readiness of its students.

I did not realize how many key components Jones Plastics is producing every day in its Williamsburg plant for products ranging from household appliances to water vehicles. It was eye-opening to tour the facility recently, and see firsthand all of the parts that are being manufactured, and what those processes look like. FYI – that second part of that may surprise you a little bit, so be sure to check out the magazine article when it comes out.

Another local employer that we have had stories about in the past, and will also include in the upcoming issue of Strictly Business, is Firestone. The Williamsburg plant is about to open up its brand new expansion, which will bring with it many new and exciting opportunities.

Aisin Automotive Casting is another large employer in the local area that we will learn more about in Strictly Business. They’ve been operating here since the mid-nineties, but as you will soon find out, things are also evolving there as recent developments and ongoing trends are forcing everyone to learn how to best adapt to modern demands.

There is also the newly renovated and expanded Tri-County Cineplex, which is re-branding itself to Cinema Social. That is just one development of many that is taking place off of I-75 Exit 25, with plenty more to come in the years ahead that will only create more new job opportunities.

Finally, there are a lot of big things happening in-and-around the Southern Kentucky Business Park on the Corbin Bypass, with the grand opening of the brand new race track at the Mint – Cumberland Run taking place this past weekend, and the ongoing efforts to construct what will eventually be the park’s largest speculative building to date.

All of this, and more, is taking place right here in our collective backyard, and it’s pretty mind-blowing when you really stop to think about it. The good news is, if you’re looking for work, then there are plenty of places to look into with more coming in the weeks and months ahead.