The Lane Report Editorial Staff
Economic Development Desk, The Lane Report
October 12, 2026
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers and the National Reshoring Center will launch ReshoreKY on Oct. 14, an initiative designed to connect Kentucky manufacturers with opportunities to produce goods that companies currently purchase overseas.
The launch will take place at the 2026 Kentucky Industry Conference in Lexington. Organizers say the effort will begin with a straightforward question: What are Kentucky companies buying overseas that manufacturers in the commonwealth could make here?
The National Reshoring Center estimates that Kentucky’s economy includes approximately $29.7 billion in potential reshoring opportunities, representing about 31% of the state’s imports. ReshoreKY will work to identify that demand and assess which opportunities could realistically lead to local production.
The initiative aims to build on a substantial manufacturing base. According to figures provided by the organizers, Kentucky has approximately 6,000 manufacturers, 254,500 manufacturing workers and $49.8 billion in manufacturing value added.
At the same time, the state imports approximately $96.5 billion in goods and exports about $50.6 billion, a difference of $45.9 billion. ReshoreKY will use import demand as a starting point to identify potential markets for Kentucky-made products.
Rather than treating the estimated opportunity as committed investment or new production, the initiative will bring manufacturers together with economic development, workforce, education and public-sector partners to determine which products Kentucky businesses have the capacity to supply.
“ReshoreKY gives us another way to help manufacturers identify new opportunities for growth, strengthen America’s supply chains, and create new economic opportunities for Kentucky communities and families,” said Frank Jemley, president and CEO of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers.
ReshoreKY will join the National Reshoring Center’s state-by-state network and draw on the experience of ReshoreWV, a West Virginia initiative that has worked over the past year to connect manufacturers with domestic purchasing opportunities.
The National Reshoring Center grew out of an initial partnership between ReshoreWV and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. Founded by Ed Ryan, the center focuses on import substitution — identifying products purchased from overseas suppliers that could instead be produced domestically.
“Kentucky is not starting alone,” Ryan said. “Kentucky manufacturers already have tremendous capability. The opportunity is to better connect that capability with the billions of dollars of products currently being purchased overseas.”
The West Virginia effort has emphasized technology, business connections and relationship-building to help manufacturers reach new markets and shorten supply chains. Organizers say its experience will help inform Kentucky’s approach as ReshoreKY begins developing its own partnerships.
“Simply put, West Virginia wins when our manufacturing companies work with domestic suppliers rather than importing materials from other countries, and ReshoreWV’s mission helps our state accomplish this goal,” said Bill Bissett, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association.
KAM will introduce ReshoreKY during the morning conference program Oct. 14. At 2 p.m., a 60-minute panel will feature participants who helped establish and develop ReshoreWV.
The discussion, titled “Bring Manufacturing Home: A Practical Discussion on How States Can Leverage Import Demand to Grow Local Economy,” will examine what has worked in West Virginia, what took longer than expected and how organizers engaged manufacturers and partner organizations.
Panel perspectives will span manufacturing, industry associations, workforce development, higher education, economic development, public policy and state commerce.
For Kentucky, the next step will be connecting existing manufacturing capabilities with specific purchasing needs, then determining which opportunities can move from an overseas order to production in the commonwealth.
About the Kentucky Association of ManufacturersThe Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is Kentucky’s leading industry and business organization. Our mission is to make a better Kentucky by promoting and growing manufacturing and economic opportunity in the Commonwealth. We are the voice for free enterprise and economic growth in Kentucky. Learn more atKAM.us.com.
About the National Reshoring Center The National Reshoring Center helps states, manufacturers, and partners identify import demand that may be converted into domestic production opportunities through practical, state-led reshoring initiatives.
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