LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the third consecutive year, the Greater Lexington Region (Lexington-Fayette Metro) landed in the Top 10 of Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of economic development activity in 2025 among Tier 2 regions between 200,000 and one million in population. The publication has published the Governor’s Cup rankings annually since 1988, based on new and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by the proprietary Conway Projects Database.
The Greater Lexington Region moved up from ninth to fourth with 27 total projects among the Tier 2 metros and finished sixth in projects per capita. Statewide, 15 Kentucky micropolitan areas (10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county) totaling 42 projects were recognized, including Greater Lexington micropolitan areas Richmond-Berea (#25), Frankfort (#40) and Mt. Sterling (#70). Kentucky as a whole finished fifth for the second consecutive year nationally in projects per capita. In the South Central Region, the Commonwealth was second in projects per capita and third in total projects (182).
“Lexington-Fayette County has long been recognized as a regional leader across the board, and this ranking certainly reaffirms our commitment to building a strong, thriving economy,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said. “We have made significant progress toward regionalism by developing strong relationships with our neighbors and initiating the creation of Central Kentucky’s first regional business park, an investment that will create quality, good-paying jobs for our people, and generate new revenue for our communities. By bringing our region together, we are positioning Central Kentucky’s future for long-term growth, attracting new opportunities, and ensuring our entire region can succeed together.”…