Richmond-Berea Ranks Top Micropolitan Area for Economic Development

Richmond-Berea placed among the nation's top micropolitan communities for economic development projects in Site Selection magazine's 2025 Governor's Cup rankings, Gov. Andy Beshear announced in March.

The recognition marks Kentucky's sixth consecutive year in the top five states for economic development projects per capita. Thirteen Kentucky communities earned micropolitan rankings, giving the state the second-highest number recognized nationally.

Richmond issued over 700 new business licenses in 2025, City Manager Rob Minerich said. He credited the city's economic and industrial development team with supporting new and existing businesses through site selection, approvals and operations.

The city's 280-acre regional sports complex contributed to the ranking by demonstrating commitment to quality of life, Minerich said. Richmond ranks as the state's second-fastest growing city.

Site Selection magazine, based in Atlanta, reaches 42,000 corporate site selection executives. The publication has awarded the Governor's Cup annually since 1988 to states with the most new and expanded corporate facilities, tracked through the Conway Projects Database.

Other recognized Kentucky micropolitan communities included Franklin, Glasgow, Campbellsville, Frankfort, Corbin, Danville, Henderson, Madisonville, Mayfield, Mount Sterling and Somerset.

Kentucky ranked fifth nationally and second in the South-Central region in 2024, and placed second in the region and top 10 nationally in the 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking for capital investment projects.