FRANKFORT, KY - On September 5, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development; funding to improve communities; opportunities to donate blood; medical cannabis; progress on high-ground communities in Eastern Kentucky; and funding awards to support communities recovering from flooding and tornadoes. The Governor also named 19-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted an opportunity for Kentucky’s small businesses creating jobs and investing in our communities to apply for a tax credit of up to $25,000 through the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit.

Projects to Improve Communities
Gov. Beshear highlighted three projects receiving funds from Kentucky’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by Kentucky’s Department for Local Government.

- The Mason County Fiscal Court used $520,000 to rehabilitate seven senior housing cottages. These cottages are on a small campus that is connected to the Mason County Senior Center and the Mason County Food Bank.

“Our housing projects, such as the Mason County Senior Housing project, are some of the most impactful on our local citizens’ lives,” said Mason County Judge/Executive Owen McNeill. “We’re making immense strides in supporting housing for all our citizens across the socio-economic spectrum.”

- The city of Morehead will use $1,000,000 to help build 40 new affordable apartment units, ranging from one to three bedrooms in size, on Triplett Street.

“This project is more than a development,” said Mayor Laura White-Brown of Morehead. “It’s a lifeline for 40 families in Morehead. With these new affordable housing units, the Parkview project addresses a critical need, offering families a place to call home.”

- The Magoffin County Fiscal Court will use $1,250,000 to help extend public water service to 62 homes for the first time. The homes are located along Kentucky Highways 542, 1502 and 378 and Jake Fork in Magoffin County.

“This money is the final piece of a $2.5 million project that I’ve been working on for over five years,” said Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman. “This is going to help make life a little bit better for those folks in those far-reaching communities in my county.”

In addition to these three projects, eight more are receiving funding from the 2023 CDBG program. Click here to view the additional eight projects.

Team Kentucky Saves Lives Blood Drive
The Governor announced that he and First Lady Britainy Beshear will be hosting a blood drive in the State Capitol Rotunda and at the Capitol Education Center on Thursday, Sept. 12, to help address the national emergency blood shortage and save lives.

“In August, the American Red Cross announced that our country is facing another emergency blood shortage,” said Gov. Beshear. “So next week, Britainy and I are rolling up our sleeves to donate. We hope that all of Team Kentucky will join us.”

The Red Cross reports the national blood supply has fallen by more than 25% since July 1, 2024. Steve Cunanan, CEO of the American Red Cross – Kentucky Region, attended the Team Kentucky Update to speak about the blood shortage. For more information and to sign up for the Team Kentucky Saves Lives blood drive, visit governor.ky.gov/GiveBlood.

Medical Cannabis
Gov. Beshear announced significant steps toward ensuring Kentuckians with qualifying conditions have access to medical cannabis as soon as possible. The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program began accepting applications for cannabis business licenses July 1, 2024. The application period closed on Aug. 31. In total, the program received 4,998 applications for medical cannabis business licenses. Eighty-eight percent of the applications were received in the last four days of the licensing period. See information about the number of applications received by license type and by licensing regions.

The Office of Medical Cannabis is currently reviewing applications and remains on track to issue licenses in 2024. The office is increasing staff to review the influx of applications. The processors and cultivators’ lottery will be held earlier than the lottery for dispensaries. More information on the lottery for license category will be announced soon. To learn more about new regulations and how to participate in the regulatory process, visit kymedcan.ky.gov.

“When we launched this program, our goal was to ensure that our licensing process was transparent and provided everyone a fair shot at being a part of this new, exciting industry,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today, the results are clear. The incredible interest in this process, especially among Kentuckians, is proof that this program has met that goal and is set up for success now and moving forward.”

Progress on High-Ground Communities in Eastern Kentucky
Gov. Beshear provided an update on progress being made at the seven high-ground communities in Eastern Kentucky. Once completed, the seven communities will be home to over 500 families. In Letcher County, The Cottages at Thompson Branch was the first site to have homes on-site and families moved in. On Aug. 28, Team Kentucky transferred 10 lots at Thompson Branch from the state to Homes Inc. so the nonprofit can quickly begin construction.

At the 4-acre site in Floyd County, formerly owned by the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department, 11 families have moved into new homes. Additional homes are planned in Wayland at an adjacent property.

Also in Floyd County, New Hope Estates has partnered with Mountain Housing to construct 33 new homes and to rehab one home. Site work and storm sewer construction are expected to start within the month. FAHE continues to take applications from flood survivors for these homes.

At Chestnut Ridge, a Knott County site spanning more than 100 acres that will have approximately 150 homes, ground engineering and environmental reviews are complete. Water, sewer and road designs are complete. Water and sewer line installation and construction on the first section of the access road is underway. Work is progressing to complete drainage work, sidewalk and paving on the access road this fall. A contract was awarded Sept. 3 to extend Chestnut Ridge Road by 1 mile, build streets and sidewalks and other infrastructure to support the new subdivision.

At Grand View, a 92-acre site in Letcher County with plans for 115 homes, the ground engineering review is complete, and an environmental review is underway. Funding applications for water and sewer projects are being submitted to U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Relief. 

At Skyview, a 50-acre site in Perry County with plans for over 100 homes, ground engineering and environmental reviews are complete, and the access road leading to the top of the hill is complete for contractors to haul heavy equipment to the construction site. Phase 2 of road work is underway, and the initial roadway foundation should be completed by the end of October.

Finally, at Olive Branch, a 75-acre site in Knott County with plans for 132 homes, ground engineering and environmental reviews are complete and right of way plans are in development for an initial access road. The state continues to evaluate land for additional high-ground sites including multiple sites in Breathitt County.

Awards to Assist with Flood and Tornado Recovery
The Governor announced three new awards from the East Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) fund, and two new awards from the West Kentucky SAFE fund, totaling nearly $9.4 million to help communities recover from financial strains caused by devastating natural disasters. The award amounts are based on requests by each entity and verified by the Department for Local Government for cities and counties and by the Kentucky Department of Education for school districts.

The East Kentucky SAFE fund awards are:

- $1,803,665 for the Jenkins Independent School District;
- $2,288,401 for the Knott County Fiscal Court; and
- $2,800,000 for the Perry County Fiscal Court.

The West Kentucky SAFE fund awards are:

- $2,502,832 for the city of Dawson Springs, to finance a portion of reconstruction costs for the city’s pool and the city’s park; and
- $1,383 for the Caldwell County Water District to match a Federal Emergency Management Agency project award.

Gov. Beshear recommended establishing the West Kentucky SAFE fund, and the 2022 General Assembly supported the aid by passing Senate Bill 150, which the Governor signed in April 2022. In August 2022, Gov. Beshear and the General Assembly established the East Kentucky SAFE fund.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
Gov. Beshear recognized Paralympic athlete Oksana Masters as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. Masters, who grew up in Louisville, has medaled in four different sports at the Paralympic Games. She won her first gold medal of the Paris games on Wednesday, when she finished first in the H4-5 women’s para-cycling time trial, and today she earned another gold medal in the women’s road race H5, bringing her total lifetime medals to nine gold and 19 overall.

“Oksana is an inspiration to us all. She shows the true Team Kentucky spirit of overcoming adversity, and we are so proud to call her one of our own,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations to Oksana, her mother, Gay, and all the other paralympic athletes competing. We are proud to call Oksana this week’s Team Kentucky All Star.”