Don't be surprised in the coming weeks if, everywhere you look, you start seeing signs of Kentucky's latest campaign.
The New Kentucky Home branding campaign comes about 20 years after the state adopted the slogan "Unbridled Spirit," which came with its own campaign. Gov. Andy Beshear says this latest effort looks to combine big economic games, such as the massive EV battery plants into the state, with infrastructure improvements and other changes to get past stereotypes.
"We can show the world that we aren't the same Kentucky they may have heard about years ago, because we used our common sense to find common ground. We led with our values of kindness and hard work, and now we're looking at a new Kentucky," Beshear said during the rollout at Keeneland.
VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Raymer said one goal is to turn tourists into potential transplants.
"We acknowledge that today's traveler could be tomorrow's talent," she said. "And we know that attracting talent to make Kentucky home is the very key to our future successes as a state."
The governor is urging Kentuckians to post positive images, videos and testimonials on social media with the hashtag new Kentucky home. Winning posts will be selected every month, with winners receiving a free two night stay at a Kentucky park.
Beshear said the campaign won't cost any additional dollars, but instead will seek to tie together existing resources and help send people curious about attractions in Kentucky to more information about the state.
