FRANKFORT, Ky. – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on economic development; new bills signed into law; the Affordable Connectivity Program; recent inclement weather; rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky; public health; and Easter at the Capitol. He also named the Transylvania University women’s basketball team, which won the 2023 Division III National Championship, as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development

The Governor highlighted three site and building development projects as the first to move through the approval stage in the initial round of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KDPI). Last week, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved the three projects for over $2.7 million in state funding. To learn more about the program, click here.

The Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority and Greenup County Fiscal Court submitted a regional project in partnership with Boyd, Carter, Elliott and Lawrence counties for the site acquisition of over 240 acres in the EastPark Industrial Park. The project will see $1.5 million in land acquisition, including $750,000 in state support.

In partnership with the London-Laurel County Economic Development Authority (LLCEDA), the Laurel County Fiscal Court will build a 105,000-square-foot spec building to attract new business to the London community. KEDFA approved the $3.8 million project for just over $1.5 million in state funds through the KPDI program.

A project in Madison County will consist of nearly 47 acres owned by the Richmond Industrial Development Corporation. The project will develop and implement a land grading plan to better prepare the topography for industrial site development. The site will see $1 million in upgrades with state support of $500,000 toward the project.

The Governor also highlighted several economic development announcements.

Gov. Beshear announced yet another major investment in the state’s rapidly growing electric vehicle sector as Microvast Advanced Membrane will locate a new facility in Hopkinsville with a $504 million investment creating 562 full-time jobs.

The Governor highlighted continued momentum of the state’s manufacturing industry as Toyota Boshoku America will invest more than $225 million to construct a new facility in Hopkinsville and create 157 quality jobs for Kentuckians.

Gov. Beshear announced continued job creation within Kentucky’s manufacturing and clean energy sectors as EnerVenue, which builds metal-hydrogen batteries for stationary energy storage applications for utility-scale, commercial and residential use, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Shelby County, creating 450 full-time jobs with a $264 million Phase 1 investment with potential for further investment. Click here to watch a video message from the Governor.

The Governor announced new growth within Kentucky’s bourbon and spirits industry as Campari Group plans to add a second distillery at its Wild Turkey campus in Lawrenceburg. The company will invest $161 million and create 31 additional jobs in Anderson County.

Gov. Beshear highlighted further economic growth in the state’s distribution and logistics industry as LandCal Logistics, a third-party logistics company providing end-to-end supply chain services, expands its Georgetown facility with a $600,000 investment creating 10 new full-time positions.

Governor Signs Bills into Law
The Governor joined lawmakers and advocates to sign five pieces of legislation recently passed by the General Assembly.

House Bill 29, sponsored by Rep. Derek Lewis of London, removes the residency requirement for interment in Kentucky veteran cemeteries. This allows Kentucky to meet the United States Department of Veterans Affairs deadline of Jan. 1, 2025, by which states are required to remove residency as a requirement for veterans to be buried in state cemeteries. This legislation allows Kentucky to better honor and remember the lives and sacrifices of U.S. veterans.

“This will allow more of our U.S. veterans to be honored by burial in a veteran cemetery after their death,” Gov. Beshear said. “Honoring our veterans is nothing short of a sacred duty. They give their very best, and they deserve our very best in return.”

“Today’s signing of HB 29 allows us to bring attention to the incredible service provided by our veteran’s cemeteries as we work to recognize the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served our state and nation,” said Rep. Lewis. “This measure simply ensures our state’s policies conform with those of the Department of Veterans Affairs and allow us to continue to take advantage of available federal funding.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leverage federal funds to help build local economies in Eastern and Western Kentucky. We’d be foolish not to capitalize on an opportunity to help our rural communities,” said Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield. “The federal government set aside $3 trillion to provide funding for economic development, education, infrastructure and agriculture, and we’re already seeing neighboring states leverage this opportunity to make a big impact.”

Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Sen. Phillip Wheeler of Pikeville, designates the fourth Thursday in March each year as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.

“As we honor these great Kentuckians, it’s important to remember that these heroes answered the call to defend our nation at a time when their own rights and freedoms here at home were far from assured,” Gov. Beshear said. “On the fourth Thursday in March of each year, let us remember the Tuskegee Airmen, recommit ourselves to the selflessness and patriotism they showed, work to be worthy of the sacrifices these heroes made during their time, and do our part to strengthen our great nation.”

“It’s a pleasure to celebrate the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon of Richmond. “Their desire to serve in spite of racism and inequity really shows their true character and their true love of their fellow man and their country. This was especially meaningful to me because so many were native Kentuckians and seven called Madison County home. I would like to thank my colleagues in the House and the Senate for supporting this measure and thank the Governor for signing it.”

Senate Bill 40 also requires genetic testing for genetic markers for cardiac arrhythmogenic syndromes during the post-mortem examination for cases of a deceased person under 40 years of age when a cause of death is not determined. This testing can help with future categorization and prevention efforts when it comes to heart disease.

House Bill 9, sponsored by Rep. Heath, helps provide economic relief to local communities of the commonwealth. The bill provides $2 million to the Cabinet for Economic Development to create a state matching grant program for communities that receive federal grants requiring a state match. The new Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (GRANT) Program will encourage local communities to pursue federal matching grants.

“This new program will allow communities across the commonwealth to apply for federal matching grants that support public safety, transportation, community revitalization and so much more,” Gov. Beshear said. “As Governor, and most importantly, as a dad, nothing is more important to me than building a better Kentucky for all of our people, where the good news reaches every corner of the commonwealth.”

“House Bill 9 creates the GRANT program, which stands for Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation. The main objective of House Bill 9 is to seize on an extraordinary opportunity to leverage Kentucky’s state tax dollars efficiently towards significant public projects that will revitalize our rural communities,” said Sen. Wheeler. “This bill creates a framework that allows local governments, non-profits, public agencies, or a coalition of those organizations to apply for the matching component of federal grants.”

“I am excited about having the Governor sign House Bill 9 into law. I want to thank my colleagues in the House and the Senate for helping move this forward as we know this is a team effort,” said Rep. Heath. “We are pleased that the bill is moving forward and receiving its due time in the spotlight. House Bill 9 establishes the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transportation program. It will provide support and grant funding to communities that are impacted by the loss of coal-related jobs.”

“This is a tremendous game changer for Kentucky,” said Commissioner Dennis Keene of the Department for Local Government. “Too often we have needy counties impacted by flooding or tornadoes that qualify for a million-dollar grant, but they can’t come up with a twenty percent match. Now, there will be an application process through the Department of Local Government, and we’ll see that those funds get out there.”

House Bill 21, sponsored by Rep. Randy Bridges of Paducah, allows a person without a fixed, permanent address to apply for a state-issued identification credential or renew an operator’s license using forms from a homeless shelter, health care facility or social service agency currently serving the applicant.

This legislation will remove a major obstacle that currently prevents persons engaged with the healthcare or social services systems from obtaining official identification or a driver’s license.

“It gives me great joy to be here this morning,” Director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky Adrienne Bush. “We really appreciate the cooperation and championship from the General Assembly as well as this administration. We are really grateful to see these changes made and get people back on their feet.”

“People that are experiencing homelessness face countless barriers to get into housing, to maintain housing and to really take that step forward,” said Director of Education and Advocacy for Louisville Coalition for the Homeless George Eklund. “House Bill 21 is a great tool that we’re giving to our service providers to get people into housing. It’s really opening the door for people to be in charge of their own destiny and move towards a better future.”

House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer of Morgantown, requires the Department for Aging and Independent Living to publish and distribute materials to local health departments regarding dementia awareness in order to promote risk reduction and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis.

“Thank you, Gov. Beshear. I am happy to be here today to talk about House Bill 125. This bill requires literature about Alzheimer’s to go from the Department of Health to the Health Department and other agencies,” said Rep. Rebecca Raymer of Morgantown. “While that may seem like a trivial step to some, as a registered nurse, I can tell you that education is one of our most effective tools that we have to compel individuals to change their lifestyle.”

“This is the first piece of legislation that will address Alzheimer’s and dementia through the mechanism of public health,” said Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association Mackenzie Wallace. “This bill embodies the spirit of Team Kentucky because it fosters inter-agency collaboration and it highlights the true bipartisan impact of this disease.”

Affordable Connectivity Program
Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has been recognized as one of the top five states and territories in the United States for getting eligible households signed up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Nearly 40% of eligible Kentuckians have signed up.

The ACP helps ensure households can afford high-speed internet for work, school, health care and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

A household is eligible for the Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

    Received a federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
    Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
    Participates in Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits or Lifeline.

To learn more about the ACP and its eligibility, visit fcc.gov/acp. To talk to someone about eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575.

To learn more about any of those other benefit programs, visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-306-8959. Families can also find ways to save by visiting governor.ky.gov/TipsToSave.

Recent Inclement Weather and Eastern Kentucky Flood Update
This week, Kentucky experienced more severe weather, with dangerous winds and a confirmed EF-1 tornado in Louisville. One apartment complex in Louisville saw a structural collapse, resulting in one injury and displacing 50 people. One individual from Louisville died during the storm.

“I want to thank everyone across Kentucky for taking precautions. We’ve been through a lot, but when we work together, we always come out stronger,” said Gov. Beshear.

Gov. Beshear is traveling to Hopkinsville today, a community hit hard by the storm over the last weekend. During his visit the Governor will survey damage and meet with community members.

The Governor also provided an update on Eastern Kentucky’s rebuilding efforts.

Currently, 160 families are housed in travel trailers, and Kentucky State Parks are now housing 16 people, down from the 360 people sheltered on Sept. 1, 2022.

As of March 27, over $22 million has been approved for the buy-out program. Those awards account for 126 properties from Perry County, the City of Jackson, Breathitt County, Letcher County and Knott County applicants. Homeowners wishing to learn more about the program are encouraged to contact their local judge executive or emergency management office for more information.

The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised over $13.2 million from more than 41,500 donors. To contribute, click here. Visit governor.ky.gov/FloodResources for more information.

Public Health
Gov. Beshear said that COVID-19 activity remains stable, and all Kentucky counties have low COVID-19 community levels.

Last week, the CDC released data on Mpox vaccination rates by state. The information will be updated monthly on their website. Kentucky’s estimated population at risk is 19,344. Kentucky is below the national average for Mpox vaccination, with 21% of Kentuckians having received one dose and 12% having received two doses.

Easter at the Capitol
The Governor invited Kentuckians to celebrate Easter at the Capitol on Sunday, April 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. EDT on the South Lawn of the Capitol – the outdoor space between the Capitol and the Capitol Annex. The event will include family activities such as an Easter egg hunt, games, crafts, food trucks and a visit with the Easter Bunny.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Kentucky families and friends as we come together to celebrate hope, community and new beginnings,” said Gov. Beshear. “My family and I look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday as we gather with grateful hearts. We hope you’ll join us!”

Team Kentucky All-Stars
Gov. Beshear named Transylvania women’s basketball as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. The team made history last weekend, securing the national title in the NCAA Division III national championship game in Dallas, Texas. The win over Christopher Newport University capped off the team’s undefeated season and secured the first national title in Transylvania’s history as a school.

“It gives me a lot of pride to name the Transylvania women’s basketball team as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations to the Pioneers, their coaches and all of the fans out there supporting them through this amazing season. You all made Kentucky very proud!”