Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026
January 20, 2026
Workforce and economic development are at the top of Governors’ agendas in 2026. Governors are making investments to attract and expand businesses in key sectors, increasing education and training opportunities to build a skilled workforce, and aligning these efforts under coordinated strategies to grow state economies.
Governors are kicking off the year with bold proposals in their 2026 State of the State Addresses. Here are just a few examples:
Economic Development
“We are prioritizing workforce development, guaranteeing site readiness and remaining steady and reliable for economic growth.” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
“My proposed budget begins with job-creation. It contains $70 million for site development to create build-ready, job-ready sites. It contains $100 million for large projects that just need that last bit of infrastructure or an access road to say yes. And for the first time, it includes a $25 million rural economic development fund.” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
