The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are coming to the Kentucky Horse Park. This is the first time this event has been held outside of Europe. More than 500,000 tickets will be sold to attendees from around the world. The event has an estimated economic impact of approximately $150 million.
A new downtown Louisville arena is set to open in 2010. It will generate more than enough revenue to pay for itself. The arena means 3500 new jobs, $1.1 billion in revenue and $4.5 billion in total economic impact.
The state is spending nearly $100 million to improve the Kentucky State Parks system. Improvements include: Renovations to campgrounds, recreation facilities, guest rooms and public areas of many state parks, including new furniture, carpeting and lighting. All park lodges now have wireless internet.
All 17 state resort parks have received two diamond ratings by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Three resorts – Cumberland Falls, Lake Barkley and Kentucky Dam Village – received three diamonds.
KY State Park restaurants began purchasing KY grown produce and meat products. This gave local family farmers a market for their “Kentucky Proud” products.
Three new KY State Park Golf courses were awarded Top 10 “Best New Affordable Public Golf Course in the U.S” by Golf Digest Magazine. These were Dale Hollow State Park Golf Course #6 in 2004, Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park #4 in 2004, and Eagles Ridge at Yatesville Lake State Park #3 in 2005.
The Kentucky State Park Foundation was created in 2007 to provide financial support for entire park system.
Five Kentucky state park campgrounds were among the “Top 100 Family Campgrounds” in the United States, according to ReserveAmerica, the nation’s leader in campground reservations. Making the list in 2006 were: Big Bone Lick State Park in Union, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park in Mt. Olivet, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park near Burkesville, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, and Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade.
In the last three years, tourism in Kentucky increased nearly 24 percent and created more than 6,000 new jobs. It is now a $10.1 Billion industry employing 176,840 people.
The Commonwealth has created a unified marketing campaign. Kentucky’s Unbridled Spirit Brand is selling Kentucky. A recent survey shows that residents in our contiguous states recognize our brand more than their own state’s brand.
A new matching funds program allows tourist attractions, local and regional tourism groups and the Kentucky Department of Tourism to tap into a pool of more than $8 million to help promote their areas and or attractions.
The Kentucky International Convention Center realized a 40 percent increase in business following its expansion and renovation, which was completed in 2000.
The Kentucky Exposition Center with over 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space is the sixth largest exposition facility in the nation. With the newly completed opening of the North Wing, the facility now has over 800,000 square feet of class A exhibit space making it the 3rd largest in the country. The Kentucky Exposition Center is home to five of the nation’s top 25 largest trade shows.
The Kentucky Exposition Center is home to the world’s richest and most prestigious American Saddlebred show – the World’s Championship Horse Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition – the National Farm Machinery Show, the world’s largest purebred livestock show – the North American International Livestock Exposition and is the site of the KY State Fair, the nation’s largest indoor air-conditioned fair.
The Kentucky State Fair Board activities account for $453 million annually in economic impact for Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. That figure is expected to rise to $600 million with the recent opening of the North Wing.
The Commerce Cabinet is helping coordinate activities for the 2008 Ryder Cup that will be played at Valhalla in Jefferson County. More than 500 million viewers in 145 different countries will see Kentucky showcased at the event which will bring $115 million into the state’s economy.
The Kentucky Heritage Council has helped Kentucky achieve the fourth highest number of National Register listings in the nation, with more than 3,200 listings of districts, sites and structures encompassing 41,000 contributing resources.
The Governor’s Prescription for Innovation is expanding broadband access across Kentucky. Kentucky has led the nation in broadband growth over the last three years, and has increased from 60 percent coverage in 2003 to 94 percent coverage today.
The Kentucky Historical Society received accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM) in November 2005. AAM accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community. It is a seal of approval and strengthens individual museums and the entire field by promoting ethical and professional practices. Of the nation’s nearly 16,000 museums, only around 750 are currently accredited and the Kentucky Historical Society is one of only five museums accredited in Kentucky.
Under the management of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, KY now has the largest elk herd east of the Rockies – 6500 elk. Restocking began in late ‘90’s. The goal is to reach 10,000 elk by 2013.
Elk viewing and hunting is just a part of the $4.8 billion annual economic impact that hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife watching has on the Commonwealth. 60,000 people are employed from these activities.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s KY Afield television show is the second longest running show in the nation and in 2006 won 2 Emmy Awards.
Kentucky will host 14 international sporting events over a next five year period, including the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, the Ryder Cup in 2008, and the Kentucky Derby every year.
Kentucky will play a central role in the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial which culminates on February 12, 2009 - the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. The celebration runs though Feb. 12, 2010. Lincoln was born in Hodgenville. We expect 1 million new visitors to Kentucky.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site hosted the National Civil War Re-enactment in 2006. The event attracted approximately 5,000 re-enactors and 30,000 visitors. The town of 750 grew by 3900% the weekend of Oct. 7-8.
Kentucky is leading the nation in the Preserve America initiative with 67 designated communities, three neighborhoods and one historic district, thanks to the efforts of the Kentucky Heritage Council.
The Kentucky Main Street Program is the oldest statewide Main Street program in the nation, assisting nearly 100 communities to revitalize their downtowns by preserving and rehabilitating their unique historic buildings.
In partnership with Renaissance on Main, the Kentucky Main Street Program has resulted in more than $2 billion reinvested in Kentucky communities since 1979, including $292 million in 2006 alone.
Kentucky is one of two states involved in a national, three-year pilot project to develop a model for preservation-based rural economic development strategies.
In 2007, 45 projects qualified to receive the Kentucky Historic Preservation Tax Credit, totaling $72 million in private investment in historic preservation.
Kentucky currently has 30 historic places that have achieved National Historic Landmark designation, indicating their national significance to all Americans.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea has hosted 800,000 visitors in its four years. It has generated over $4.8 million in revenues through the sale of Kentucky artisan products. The Center displays and sells the work of 650+ artists.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea’s rest rooms have been called the “cleanest and best designed rest rooms on I-75” by Dave Hunter, publisher of the popular Along I-75 travel guides.
2007 Kentucky Crafted: The Market was selected as the top spot for America's favorite art fairs and festivals by AmericanStyle magazine readers’ poll. The magazine is the nation’s premier arts lifestyle magazine for art collectors, enthusiasts and travelers.
The Kentucky Horse Park is the only park of its kind in the world dedicated exclusively to horses. Its 1200 acres include the National Horse Center, which is now home to 34 national, state and regional horse organizations.
Construction has begun on a new state of the art 6,000 seat indoor equine events arena at the KY Horse Park.
The Kentucky Horse Park is the new home to Affirmed’s racing trophies and memorabilia thanks to the horse’s owners, Louis and Patrice Wolfson. Affirmed was the last Triple Crown winner, in 1978.
The Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse is now affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. The program’s mission is to make the extensive Smithsonian collection more accessible. Attendance at some affiliate museums increased as much as 37 percent as a result of loaned Smithsonian collections.