FRANKFORT, KY - On March 19, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, funding awards to support communities, awards to strengthen Kentucky’s public riverports, storm recovery and initiatives to protect Kentuckians from scams. The Governor also named the Kentucky teams playing in this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development
On Monday, Gov. Beshear joined local officials and leaders of Mizkan America, an industry-leading producer of pasta sauces and vinegars, to break ground on the company’s $156 million expansion project in Owensboro, which will create 44 new quality Kentucky jobs.

Community Development Block Grant Awards
Gov. Beshear announced five projects that will receive funds from Kentucky’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

• The Wayne County Fiscal Court will use $750,000 to renovate the senior citizens center on Columbia Avenue in Monticello.
• The Bourbon County Fiscal Court will use $750,000 to stabilize the vacant Farmers Bank building on Main Street in Millersburg.
• The city of Murray will use $750,000 to renovate and expand the Weaks Senior Citizens Center on Poplar Street.
• The Hickman County Fiscal court will use $750,000 to renovate the senior citizens center on North Street in Clinton.
• The city of Somerset will use $750,000 to help relocate God’s Pantry of Pulaski County to a larger facility.

The funding program is administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government.

Awards to Strengthen Kentucky’s Public Riverports
The Governor announced nearly $1.5 million for a third round of funding to enhance Kentucky’s riverports and increase economic development and connectivity for Kentucky industries. The funds support six projects at five of Kentucky’s public riverports - Henderson County, Eddyville, Owensboro, Hickman-Fulton County and Paducah-McCracken County.

Storm Recovery
The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. To donate, click here. As of this morning, the fund has raised over $880,000, including a few generous donations: $50,000 from the Outlaw State of Kind Foundation, Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s charitable fund; $30,000 from Jim Beam; $25,000 from the Atlanta Jewish Foundation in the name of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee of Hebron; and $10,000 from the Jack Harlow Foundation.

As of March 17, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $22 million in housing and other types of assistance to more than 3,800 Kentucky households. There are now 12 Disaster Recovery Centers open, with a 13th opening tomorrow.

On Monday, the Governor announced that Kentucky will now be accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in Leslie and Woodford counties who are out of work due to the severe storms, bringing the total number of counties eligible for DUA assistance to 16.

The Governor announced that additional counties have been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster loans. Sixteen counties are eligible for both physical damage and economic injury loans. Twenty-one counties are eligible for economic injury only. So far, the SBA has approved 36 loans for over $2.2 million in Kentucky. Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. The filing deadline for physical property damage is April 25, 2025. The deadline for economic injury applications is Nov. 24, 2025.

Kentucky state parks are sheltering 215 people at five state resort parks, and 77 people in travel trailers. Flood survivors are encouraged to visit HousingCantWait.org to fill out an interest form for help with housing.

Scam Protection
The Governor provided an update on what the administration is doing to help protect people from scams. Last year, Team Kentucky provided educational resources to over 500 people with tips on how not to fall for a scam, with a specific focus on seniors. The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to take advantage of upcoming “Scam Jam” events hosted by the Department of Financial Institutions and other local partners, like AARP Kentucky. For a list of upcoming events, and for tips on how to avoid scams, visit KFI.ky.gov.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
With March Madness kicking off this week, the Governor named the Kentucky teams playing in the NCAA Basketball Tournament playing as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. The commonwealth has two men’s teams represented - the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville - and three women’s teams - the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Murray State University.

“It’s been a historic year for basketball in the commonwealth. To all the players, coaches, managers and staff who made this moment possible, thank you and congratulations,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’m proud to name you this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars, and we wish you all the best in this year’s tournament.”

Governor’s Veto
Finally, in response to a question from a journalist, the Governor said he is vetoing House Bill 216. The bill would allow Kentucky Department of Agriculture employees to accept grants and loans from a program run by the agency they work for. To date, this practice has been prohibited under state law and ethics opinions.

“I don’t think this was pushed by the commissioner of agriculture in any way - we have a good working relationship. But this has always been viewed as unethical and unlawful,” Gov. Beshear said. “This is unfair to the farmers who don’t work for the Department of Agriculture - that they would have to compete with someone else who has applied for the same loan and works next to the person who is going to make that determination.”

The Governor added that he is also concerned because the bill tries to be retroactive to cover the last two years.

Gov. Beshear added, “Under this bill, if you have done something that has been unethical - and there are opinions out there that say it is unethical - it is OK that you did it. I think right is right and wrong is wrong, and that the same rules should apply across the board.”