FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by First Lady Britainy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to provide an update on economic development; the poster contest for the 62nd inauguration; applying for unclassified positions on Team Kentucky; sports betting; road projects in Eastern Kentucky; wildfires; apprenticeships in the commonwealth; National Education Week; the open enrollment deadline for health care coverage; Medicaid coverage for children; and funds to combat domestic violence.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear celebrated continued economic strength in the commonwealth as General Fund receipts for October 2023 totaled over $1 billion, marking the 14th straight month with revenues over $1 billion.
The Governor also highlighted several economic development projects across the commonwealth.
Gov. Beshear joined local officials and UPS Supply Chain Solutions leadership to cut the ribbon on the company’s $79 million state-of-the-art Velocity facility in Bullitt County, a project that is creating 500 new high-quality distribution and logistics jobs.
The Governor joined local officials and company leadership at V-Soft Consulting, a provider of information technology consulting, for the grand opening of its new Louisville headquarters operation.
Gov. Beshear announced further momentum of the state’s manufacturing sector as NEO Industries Inc., a world leader in surface technology for work rolls in steel and aluminum manufacturing, announced an expansion of its current operation in Ohio County with a $12.4 million investment creating 20 new full-time, quality Kentucky jobs.
The Governor announced an innovative addition to Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry, as Brothers Wright Distilling Co. will invest nearly $38 million and create 28 quality jobs in Pike County to establish a new distillery that will use a rehabilitated underground coal mine to age the company’s products.
Gov. Beshear congratulated Western Kentucky Distilling Co. on the grand opening of the company’s new $30 million, state-of-the-art distillery in Beaver Dam, creating 35 full-time Kentucky jobs.
The Governor congratulated Whiskey House of Kentucky, a producer of contract bourbon and American whiskey, as company and local leadership gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a new $130 million operation in Elizabethtown that is creating 100 high-wage full-time jobs.
Gov. Beshear joined local officials and Nucor Corp. leadership for the grand opening of the company’s $1.7 billion steel plate manufacturing mill in Meade County, a project that has created several hundred new high-quality manufacturing jobs.
The Governor announced Papa John’s International Inc. (Papa Johns) will remain the sole owner of its Louisville campus and maintain its current office space, as well as the Papa Johns Quality Control Center, retaining more than 600 jobs at the campus.
Gov. Beshear joined state and local officials and leaders from pretzel manufacturer Stellar Snacks to announce the company’s commitment to invest $137 million and create 350 full-time Kentucky jobs over the next 10 years in West Louisville, representing the single largest economic development project the state has on record for the community over the past 20 years.
The Governor announced continued investment in the state’s workforce training initiatives as over $15.2 million in state support was approved for companies and consortiums statewide to train more than 15,500 workers.
‘Forward, Together’ Inauguration Poster Contest
Gov. Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear welcomed all Kentucky school-age children to participate in a poster contest that celebrates the 62nd gubernatorial inauguration theme: Forward, Together. To learn more, see the full release. Visit the gubernatorial inauguration website, Kentucky.ky.gov/inauguration, for more information on inaugural day events.
Join Team Kentucky
After securing a second term last week, Gov. Beshear invited those who want to help the Beshear/Coleman administration continue building a better Kentucky to apply for an unclassified position at jointeamky.ky.gov.
Sports Betting
The Governor announced that since sports betting opened in the commonwealth, nearly $448 million has been wagered, and more than 649,000 wagering accounts have been created with mobile applications. This number represents over $21.2 million that has been wagered in-person at the state’s licensed retail sportsbooks and over $426.6 million that has been wagered through mobile devices
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“Whatever team you’re betting will win or lose, if you’re placing a wager in-person or on your mobile phone, it’s a win for Team Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear.
Eastern Kentucky Road Projects
Gov. Beshear announced the awarding of contracts for two milestone projects in Eastern Kentucky. One is for the construction of an access road to a high-ground site in Perry County, where many families affected by the devastating flooding of 2022 can safely rebuild their homes and their lives. The other is for completion of the final section of the long-awaited reconstruction of U.S. Highway 460 in Pike County.
Wildfire Update
The Governor asked Kentuckians to continue praying for the family, friends and fellow firefighters of Oldham County Firefighter Sgt. Thomas Petschke Jr., who died last week fighting a wildfire in Goshen, as they gathered for his funeral today. In his honor, Gov. Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday, Nov. 20.
Gov. Beshear also provided an update on the status of the wildfires. There are currently 14 active fires, down from 31 on Nov. 9. As of today, 38 fires have been contained, up from the 36 last week. Seven counties, including Perry, Knox, Bell, Pike, Harlan, Bell and Lawrence, have seen more than 1,000 acres burned. Since Nov. 3, wildfires have scorched more than 30,000 acres across Kentucky.
In addition to local and state responders, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and Kentucky Emergency Management have coordinated assistance from forestry teams from the U.S. Forest Service and the state forestry agencies of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Florida, Arkansas, Texas and Virginia. Approximately 330 firefighting personnel are on location. Kentuckians can report suspected arson activity to local law enforcement or by calling the Arson Hotline at 800-272-7766.
Apprenticeship Week
Lt. Gov. Coleman highlighted registered apprenticeship programs in the commonwealth, which, according to the Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services, has increased 12.2% in fiscal year 2023. Gov. Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing Nov. 13-17 as Apprenticeship Week in Kentucky to raise awareness of these programs. To learn more about registered apprenticeships in Kentucky, visit kyworks.ky.gov.
“We’re confident that high-quality registered apprenticeships will have one of the most positive impacts on the state, for employers, and career seekers in Kentucky,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “We’re proud of the work behind the scenes to expand and diversify these valuable programs across the commonwealth.”
National Education Week
Lt. Gov. Coleman also highlighted American Education Week. The nationwide event honors the dedication of educators and education support professionals. In Aug., Gov. Beshear outlined his “Education First” budget plan, which provides an 11% pay raise for teachers and all school personnel – the largest single pay raise for public school educators in 40 years – and fully funds universal pre-K. To learn more, see the full release.
“The future of our economy is in our classrooms today being led by our original job creators: our educators,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “I hope you will join me as we celebrate everyone in our schools who are working hard to provide everything our students need to be successful.”
Open Enrollment and Medicaid Coverage
Lt. Gov. Coleman reminded Kentuckians that they have until Jan. 16 to shop and enroll for health and dental coverage on the state-based marketplace, kynect. To see plan options, visit kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328.
Lt. Gov. Coleman also announced that Kentucky received federal approval to delay what is known as the Medicaid “unwinding” process for children under age 19. When the COVID-19 public health emergency ended in May, Medicaid enrollment reverted to the federal processes in place prior to March 2020. The commonwealth implemented continuous coverage for children, but they had to go through a renewal process. With today’s announcement, a child’s coverage can automatically be renewed for 12 months. Kentucky is the first state in the country to implement this flexibility.
The new flexibility went into effect Oct. 1 and remains effective through the end of Kentucky’s unwinding period, April 2024. Now, the only way a child can be disenrolled during the 12-month continuous coverage period is if the child turns 19, a parent or guardian requests disenrollment or the child moves out of state.
Domestic Violence Prevention
Gov. Beshear furthered his commitment to public safety by awarding more than $2.2 million to 32 organizations across the commonwealth that work to combat domestic violence as well as support and seek justice for survivors. The Beshear administration is also working with the Council of State Governments to launch the council’s largest statewide domestic violence data project.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the six Kentuckians who were nominated for the 2024 Grammy Awards as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. Tyler Childers has been nominated for five awards, including Best Country Album, Best Americana Performance, Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song and Best Music Video for “In Your Love.” For that video, Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House was also nominated as a producer.
Chris Stapleton was nominated for three awards, including Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song, which he shares with Carly Pearce from Taylor Mill.
Louisville Orchestra’s music director, Teddy Abrams, was nominated for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. Paducah native Miki Abraham is a cast member featured in “Shucked,” which is a nominee for Musical of the Year.
“The awards will air in February, so make sure to tune in and cheer these talented Kentuckians on,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am proud to make them all our Team Kentucky All-Stars this week!”
