Kentucky Border Counties by State
Kentucky’s economy is strengthened through strategic regional collaboration with Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. These cross-border relationships create shared workforce pipelines, logistics advantages, and business growth opportunities across the Bluegrass region.
A Connected Bluegrass Regional Economy
Kentucky does not operate in isolation. Businesses, workers, and supply chains routinely move across state lines—creating a powerful regional economy built on collaboration rather than competition.
This page provides a state-by-state overview of how Kentucky’s neighboring partner states support Bluegrass businesses through workforce mobility, river commerce, logistics networks, and shared economic infrastructure.
Explore Kentucky’s Border States
Ohio: Workforce Exchange & Ohio River Commerce
Ohio is one of Kentucky’s most critical economic partners. Border counties along the Ohio River support Bluegrass industries through shared labor markets, river commerce, manufacturing, and transportation infrastructure.
- Cross-river workforce commuting supporting hiring flexibility
- Manufacturing and industrial supply chains
- Ohio River logistics and freight movement
- Retail and service market overlap
West Virginia: Energy, Skilled Trades & Appalachian Commerce
West Virginia’s border counties support Kentucky’s economy through energy services, skilled labor, transportation corridors, and Appalachian supply chains.
- Energy and natural resource services
- Construction and skilled trades workforce
- Regional freight and transportation links
- Business referrals within the network
Pennsylvania: Manufacturing, Logistics & Market Access
Pennsylvania strengthens Kentucky’s economy through manufacturing partnerships, distribution networks, and regional business collaboration across the broader Ohio Valley.
- Manufacturing supply chain integration
- Distribution and logistics access
- Shared service and professional markets
- Regional economic collaboration
Maryland: Regional Logistics & Mid-Atlantic Connectivity
While not a direct border state, Maryland plays a strategic role in Kentucky’s extended regional economy through logistics corridors, healthcare systems, and Mid-Atlantic market access.
- Extended logistics and distribution networks
- Healthcare and service access
- Cross-state business referrals
- Mid-Atlantic economic connectivity
“A one-of-a-kind regional collaboration that gives Kentucky businesses a true unfair advantage.”