Toyota investment marks state’s largest dollar investment of 2024

FRANKFORT, KY - During his weekly Team Kentucky Update, Gov. Andy Beshear announced today the state approved nearly $1.2 billion in potential new investments and more than 1,100 jobs across the commonwealth.

The Governor said the approvals include Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky’s $922 million investment to build a new advanced paint facility at its Georgetown plant. This is Kentucky’s largest dollar investment of 2024. The facility will be designed to improve operational efficiencies, reduce environmental impacts and enhance the quality of vehicle finishes.

The Governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Dr. Steven Stack, to provide updates on tax relief for Kentuckians, the recent three-year anniversary of the Western Kentucky tornadoes, a federal disaster declaration following Hurricane Helene, a visit to Natural Bridge State Resort Park, the first winner of the New Kentucky Home giveaway, a new benefit for state employees, the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative and kynect open enrollment. The Governor named the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development
In addition to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky announcement, Gov. Beshear reported continued momentum within the state’s aviation and aerospace industry as L2 Aviation announced its first Kentucky location with a new facility in Boone County, a $12.2 million investment creating 250 Kentucky jobs.

The Governor congratulated Cinis Fertilizer, a Sweden-based producer of green fertilizer, on plans to locate a new $109.2 million production plant in Christian County, a project that will create 65 new full-time jobs.

Gov. Beshear announced that a Kentucky small business has taken a major step forward, as Dan-O’s Seasoning plans to invest $4.7 million and create 30 good-paying jobs to establish a new office in Jefferson County. Representatives from the business, Linda Nuss and Celeste Stevenson, joined the press conference to talk about the project.

The Governor announced ISCO Industries, a global provider of piping materials, will expand its footprint in Louisville with a $12.75 million investment that will create 50 full-time jobs for Kentuckians. The president of ISCO Industries, Mark Kirchdorfer, joined the Team Kentucky Update to express his excitement.

Gov. Beshear highlighted continued momentum of the state’s manufacturing sector as Greenville Manufacturing Kentucky – a maker of equipment for the agriculture, forest products and biomass sectors – will relocate to a new facility in Muhlenberg County with a $16.2 million investment and create 250 Kentucky jobs.

The Governor announced further investment in Kentucky’s build-ready, job-ready site development efforts as projects in Bell and Shelby counties, as well as a regional project in Franklin and Anderson counties, were approved for $8 million in state funding to prompt future investment and job creation. Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller and Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton attended the press conference to talk about the funding.

Gov. Beshear announced that Whelan Machine & Tool, a veteran- and family-owned precision-machine product and services business, is investing nearly $5.7 million to expand its Louisville operations. The project will create 30 new jobs for the area. Patrick Malcor, CEO of Whelan parent company Ajax Defense, and John Triplett, president of Whelan, attended the Team Kentucky Update.

The Governor highlighted new momentum in the state’s food and beverage industry as Chick-fil-A Supply announced plans for a new $100 million distribution facility in Elsmere that is expected to create 178 well-paying, full-time jobs over five years.

Gov. Beshear recapped a recent visit by a delegation of German business and economic leaders, who received a firsthand look at all the advantages for companies considering new-location and expansion projects in the commonwealth.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $35 billion in announced investments, creating roughly 58,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $13.5 billion more than the next highest total.

Homestead Tax Exemption
The Governor highlighted a way for Kentuckians to save money through the homestead tax exemption, where eligible individuals who claim this exemption will have their property taxes lowered. To qualify, Kentuckians must be at least 65 years old or classified as totally disabled by any public or private retirement system. The assessed property must also be owned, occupied and maintained as the individual’s personal residence. During the 2023 tax year, this exemption helped more than 474,000 elderly or disabled Kentuckians save $293 million. Learn more and apply on the Department of Revenue’s website. The deadline to apply for the 2024 tax year is Dec. 31.

Three-Year Anniversary of Western Kentucky Tornadoes
This week, three years after tornadoes that took the lives of 81 Kentuckians on Dec. 10-11, 2021, Gov. Beshear visited Western Kentucky to remember those lost and to thank those who continue the work of rebuilding. Today, the Governor provided an update on recovery efforts. For more, see the full release.

Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene
Recently, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Kentucky to aid in recovery of areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The declaration provides public assistance funding for local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in 33 counties that are recovering from the remnants of the storm. The funds will support emergency work, as well as repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm and projects that help reduce future risks.

New Kentucky Home
The Governor recapped his recent visit to Natural Bridge State Resort Park, supporting the New Kentucky Home marketing initiative. During the visit, the Governor joined Against the Grain Brewery and tourism and state parks leaders to announce the official Kentucky State Parks “100 Years” craft beer. Five percent of sales will go toward future improvements to the Kentucky State Parks system.

As part of the New Kentucky Home initiative, everyone who shares positive Kentucky photos or videos on social media using the hashtag #NewKYHome will be entered to win a free, two-night stay at a Kentucky State Park. Today, the Governor announced that the first winner is Kelly Davenport, who shared a photo of Natural Bridge. Team Kentucky will continue drawing one name per month through April 2025.

Paid Leave for State Employees
To further position state government as the commonwealth’s employer of choice, the Beshear-Coleman administration is preparing to make available six weeks of paid leave to eligible Executive Branch state employees who have serious health conditions or are welcoming a new child through birth, adoption or foster care.

“I am proud that we are adding the option to obtain additional leave for when our Executive Branch employees are sick or welcoming a new family member,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is the right thing to do for our public servants who have dedicated their career to helping others.”

Lt. Gov. Coleman also joined the Team Kentucky Update to discuss this important benefit and how the administration is fighting for state employees. For more information, see the full release.

Our Healthy Kentucky Home and kynect Open Enrollment
Dr. Stack provided an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home, a one-year initiative to promote simple, positive and attainable goals to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. For December, the initiative is highlighting heart health, and Dr. Stack provided tips for Kentuckians to remain heart healthy.

Dr. Stack also provided an update on kynect, the state-based marketplace for quality, affordable health coverage. Dr. Stack said that over 85,000 Kentuckians have already enrolled in a plan, which is 20,000 more enrollees compared to this time last year. This is also 10,000 more enrollees than last year’s total of 75,000 at the end of open enrollment, which at the time was the strongest open enrollment numbers since kynect relaunched in November 2021. The deadline to enroll is Jan. 15. If you need assistance, or if you are ready to enroll, please go to kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. Last week, KSP announced that the team solved a sexual assault cold case from 2005. Nearly two decades after the crime was committed, the team was able to conduct additional DNA testing, the perpetrator has been charged and the process of bringing justice to the victim has finally begun.

The KSP SAKI team was formed in 2021 to solve cases like this one after the United States Department of Justice awarded the commonwealth a $1.5 million grant. The team was awarded another $2.5 million grant last October to expand and enhance data collection. Thanks to this critical federal funding, the KSP SAKI team is bringing justice to victims and their families. Detective Janet Barnett and site coordinator Kelly Wells joined the press conference to represent their team.

“To the team, thank you. You are doing important work for the people of Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “You’re solving crimes, getting perpetrators off the streets and creating a New Kentucky Home that is safer for all of us.”