FLORENCE, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is attending a red-carpet pep rally of sorts honoring seven manufacturing companies that are bringing a combined 404 new jobs to the northern Kentucky region.
With the song "Celebration" playing over the loud speakers, Beshear and several corporate leaders walked down a red carpet to the event Thursday at Gateway Community and Technical College's newly built Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Florence.
Beshear said the company announcements show northern Kentucky is "open for business," even amid a double-digit unemployment rate in the state.
Existing manufacturing companies that are expanding include Hahn Automation, Parway Products, Impak Acquisition and Zumbiel Packaging. Two others, Coating Excellence and Jacobs Automation, are moving to the area.