According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a federal agency, Kentucky has lagged in economic growth for the past decade, when compared to our surrounding states and the Southeast U.S. as a whole.

State              Growth in GSP*

Virginia             87.3%

Tennessee       64.3%

West Virginia   58.9%

Illinois              56.9%

Indiana            51.6%

Missouri           50.3%

Kentucky          47.9%

Ohio                 41.9%

- - - -

SOUTHEAST REGION   75.1%

- - - -

There are many variables that contribute to these types of trends. What is clear is that Kentucky needs to take a serious look at its business and entrepreneurial environment.

It should be expected that Virginia and Illinois are ahead of us - given the Chicago and D.C. metropolitan regions within those states.

But West Virginia growing by 10+ better points? Tennessee by 17+ points?

Are Kentucky's economic development leaders examining these issues? We certainly would encourage them to do just that.

-------

* GSP - Gross State Product 1997 - 2008.