As the worldwide battle towards COVID-19 continues, Kentucky’s well being care know-how, service and merchandise manufacturing trade not solely fights the pandemic’s unfold, it additionally spurs high-wage, impactful alternatives for 1000’s of Kentuckians.

“The progressive well being care firms that decision the Commonwealth house are key companions on Staff Kentucky. These firms are supplying nations internationally with the instruments wanted to beat this world pandemic, all whereas offering high-paying, rewarding careers for Kentuckians,” stated Gov. Beshear. “Whether or not it’s supplying gadgets, companies, medicines and therapies, producing PPE or offering medical tools, Kentucky’s well being care firms proceed to enhance world well being as we construct a greater Kentucky.”

One quickly rising Louisville firm, for instance, delivers life-preserving ventilators and different much-needed medical tools world wide. Avante Well being Options, a well being care tools provider specializing in reasonably priced new and professionally refurbished merchandise, underwent a number of expansions since 2015, together with the addition of a brand new medical surgical division headquarters established final 12 months. The corporate employs almost 500 folks nationally, with its Kentucky workplace comprising a few fifth of that workforce.

Contemplating Avante serves over 150 international locations, the corporate’s mission turned much more vital amid the pandemic. Two current examples embody the Japanese Caribbean island of St. Lucia, which obtained 12 ventilators from Avante – together with one the corporate donated – and the Bahamas, which put in hospital beds from Avante particularly for sufferers suspected of getting COVID-19 and displaying gentle to reasonable signs.

Avante is one in all greater than 200 well being care associated know-how, service and manufacturing operations in Kentucky, an trade using 37,000-plus Kentucky residents full time. These operations embody tech startups, six headquarters of prime well being care firms, pharmaceutical, medical tools and medical gadget producers and various well being care merchandise distributors.

Since 2014, well being care firms have introduced about 100 new or enlargement tasks anticipated to generate greater than $645 million in funding and almost 6,900 new jobs.

This 12 months, roughly 100 manufacturing amenities in Kentucky used their experience to make private protecting tools – PPE – which is in excessive demand because of the pandemic. Some, like greater than two dozen distilleries, have been new to the well being care trade.

These firms make obstacles, masks, robes, disinfectant, face shields, intubation packing containers, ventilator parts and, in fact, hand sanitizer.

Whereas the trade at the moment sits within the highlight, Kentucky has lengthy supported a various well being care sector, one which’s well-positioned for future progress. For firms trying to develop, Kentucky boasts an accessible expert workforce, a key geographic location for distributing merchandise within the U.S. and globally, and a spread of workplace, manufacturing and Construct-Prepared websites accessible on www.SelectKentucky.com.

Kentucky additionally excels in medical tools, provides and prescription drugs manufacturing, which contribute over $530 million yearly to the state’s economic system. Kentucky’s manufacturing excellence enhances a bunch of different business-friendly traits, stated Jeff Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Cupboard for Financial Improvement’s division for enterprise growth.

“Kentucky’s manufacturing prowess, logistics management and robust R&D capabilities by means of its strong college programs are just a few of the distinctive belongings that make it a really perfect spot for well being care firms,” Taylor stated. “This trade presents a wealth of financial alternative, and we’re leveraging our commonwealth’s benefits to help its continued progress.”

The state’s unparalleled logistics capabilities, as Taylor talked about, pose huge distribution benefits for companies.

Kentucky’s top-notch transportation infrastructure and its standing as the one U.S. state with three main air cargo transport hubs – operated by UPS, DHL and Amazon – permits companies within the Commonwealth to rapidly and effectively ship merchandise throughout the nation and across the globe.

For firms coping with merchandise that save lives, that functionality is important.
 
To study extra concerning the progress alternatives in Kentucky, companies ought to contact the Kentucky Cupboard for Financial Improvement by calling 800-626-2930, emailing econdev@ky.gov or visiting CED.ky.gov. 

Kentucky Cupboard for Financial Improvement