Unemployment down across the state
Unemployment rates fell in 116 counties, increased in Clinton, Wayne and Ballard counties and remained the same in Logan County between September 2024 and September 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics.
In this area, Daviess recorded a rate of 4.2% in September, 4.1% in August and 4.8% a year earlier.
Hancock’s rate was 4.9% in September, 4.8% in August and 5.6% in September 2024.
McLean was at 4.6% in September and August and 5.3% a year earlier.
Muhlenberg recorded a rate of 5.3% in September, 5% in August and 5.9% in September a year ago.
And Ohio was at 5.4% in September, 5.3% in August and 5.9% a year earlier.
• Terrapin Construction has obtained a building permit for a 5,599-square-foot office building at 4367 Springhill Drive.
The cost is estimated at $1.4 million.
• Redfin Real Estate recently looked at home sales through November.
The report says the median sales price in Owensboro during that time period was $235,953.
Sales averaged 104 per month and inventory averaged 202 homes.
The average number of days on the market was 25.7.
• German American Bank was recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks in 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A-Insights Group.
It has also been recognized as the best regional bank in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
• Gov. Andy Beshear said 2025 was the state’s second-best year on record for new private-sector investment, with $10.5 billion in projects announced.
This included 185 announcements of new locations and expansions expected to create nearly 9,600 full-time jobs.
The average hourly incentive wage reached $29.58 in 2025, the highest on record, according to the report.
• Chain Store Age reports that through December, retail spending increased 4.2% year over year across all payment types, including cash and checks, according to preliminary data released by Visa.
The study found that 73% of holiday payment volume was made in physical stores, while 27% of retail spending was made online.
• Money Talks News says Kentuckians don’t live as long past age 65 as most other states.
The states with the lowest life expectancy after age 65 are West Virginia, 16.6 years; Mississippi, 16.7; and Kentucky, 16.8.
