Drake Lighting Expanding to Paducah-McCracken County

August 5, 2021

Greater Paducah Economic Development is pleased to announce Drake Lighting is expanding to Paducah, KY.  Drake Lighting is the American distributor for Canada based Technostrobe, Inc.  Drake Lighting is a distributor of obstruction lighting solutions.  Drake Lighting’s solutions mark structures such as cellular communication towers, broadcast towers, industrial chimney stacks, and wind turbines that are federally required to be lit according to FAA standards.  Drake Lighting will be investing approximately $2 million in an existing facility coupled with the construction of a distribution and warehousing facility in the coming months.  Drake will be employing 60 full-time employees and generate an anticipated recurring community economic impact of $6.8 million per year. 

Drake has acquired and will be occupying the former ACBL building in the Paducah Commerce Park.  The Commerce Park is a multi-use business park housing information technology, marine, construction, call centers, distribution, construction, and government contractor businesses.  “Economic development often comes down to having the right piece of real estate at the right time.  Having an inventory of land and sizable buildings in our asset portfolio enables us to act quickly and secure projects when they arise.  We are thrilled Drake is occupying this facility.”, stated Bruce Wilcox, President of Greater Paducah Economic Development. 

David Shepeard, President of Drake Lighting stated, “For the past year Drake Lighting has been evaluating how to expand our corporate office.  When the office building at 2000 McCracken Blvd. became available, we were intrigued with the possibilities it would open for our business.  After meeting with GPED and the City Planners we chose to change our plans and focused on moving to Paducah.  We are a small business with large plans so this move will allow us to work on our growth and expand into new opportunities.  We look forward to the move and building a strong relationship with the business community of Paducah.”

Paducah City Mayor George Bray stated “Our City leadership team and community partners worked well with Drake Lighting demonstrating the value of operating in Paducah, how they can be successful, and incentivizing them to choose our community.  We look forward to seeing them grow and prosper in our community.” 

Drake Lighting’s expansion into the Commerce Park represents the second new project in the Commerce Park this year.  McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer stated, “What we are seeing is the result of a lot of dedicated people working hard to bring good jobs to our community.”  Drake Lighting’s announcement represents the fourth project Greater Paducah Economic Development has announced this year resulting in a total of $72 million of capital investment and over 100 jobs with a cumulative recurring economic impact of over $15 million per year on the Paducah community.

For additional information contact Bruce Wilcox at 270-210-7392.