The Owensboro region is on a list for the top areas for job growth in the nation. The Owensboro metropolitan statistical area ranked 25th on a list compiled by Area Development magazine.
The publication ranked the country’s 365 metro areas on 23 economic and work force growth indicators. The Messenger-Inquirer reports the Greater Owensboro area was ranked fourth on Area Development’s list of Top 20 Southern Cities.
The Owensboro metro statistical area consists of Daviess, Hancock, and McLean counties.
The publication credited the region for efforts to diversity its economy and mentioned recent investments by Pinkerton Tobacco and U.S. Bank, as well as a renewed emphasis on manufacturing jobs.
According to the state Office of Employment and Training, the Owensboro metro area has added nearly 15-hundred new jobs since May of 2011.
In addition, Hancock and Daviess counties both have two of the lowest unemployment rates in the Bluegrass State. Hancock's jobless rate stands at 5.5%, while Daviess County's is 6.5%.
