FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 19, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development; an upgrade in the commonwealth’s credit rating; a new Madisonville law enforcement training facility; new homes in Eastern Kentucky for flood survivors; federal grants to improve Kentucky roads; and the first federally funded electric vehicle charging station in Kentucky. The Governor named the Kentucky State University Football Team as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars, ahead of the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field this Saturday.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted new growth in Kentucky’s booming manufacturing sector as Niagara Bottling, a manufacturer of bottled water and soft drinks, announced plans to locate a new $129.8 million production facility in Kenton County and create 60 new full-time jobs in the area.
Moody’s Rating Upgrade
Gov. Beshear announced that Moody’s Ratings has upgraded the commonwealth’s credit rating to Aa2 from Aa3. The rating is a measure of the state’s ability to pay debts and the overall health of Kentucky’s economy. The upgrade was driven by the commonwealth’s sustained commitment to healthy reserves and structural balance, including by fully funding pensions and paying down unfunded liabilities. It also reflects growth in key industries that will help solidify Kentucky’s economic growth over the next several years, including large investments in the state’s manufacturing sector, EV manufacturing, logistics and the growth of Kentucky’s tourism and health care sectors.
“This is the third major rating increase for Kentucky in just over a year,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is a fantastic milestone for Team Kentucky as we show everyone that our economy is booming, our pensions are strong and our fiscal house is in order due to strong management and smart choices that put our people first.”
Flags to Half-Staff Saturday in Honor of Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy
Gov. Beshear expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Phipps, who was killed in the line of duty this week. The Governor ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Saturday, Sept. 21, in honor of his life and service. The Governor asked all of Kentucky to join in praying for Deputy Phipps’ family, fellow law enforcement officers and the entire Russell County community.
New Madisonville Law Enforcement Training Facility
The Governor announced a historic expansion of law enforcement basic training in Western Kentucky, as a new training facility will open in Madisonville in February 2024. Previously, officers from every county in the commonwealth have traveled to Richmond to receive the 20 weeks of vital training. For the first time since basic training became mandatory in 1998, the commonwealth will be able to offer training in two locations simultaneously. New officers located in the western end of the state will be able to stay closer to home with the new facility in Madisonville. The Department of Criminal Justice Training will train officers in a building provided by the Madisonville Police Department while Team Kentucky constructs a $50 million multipurpose training facility in Madisonville.
“For the first time ever, recruits who live in the western end of our state will not have to drive to Richmond, but instead will have access to a training academy closer to home,” Gov. Beshear said. “This means they will have more time with their families, and more time to focus on their critical training as they prepare to serve and protect the commonwealth.”
“As a former police chief, I know how critical it is to get new officers into the academy, trained and back on the streets to keep our communities safe. Training is where safe communities start,” said Department of Criminal Justice Training Deputy Commissioner Mike Bosse. “We are so proud to have this opportunity to expand access to Kentucky’s state-of-the-art, exceptional law enforcement training. We couldn’t have done it without the partnerships and support from Gov. Beshear, our legislators and the city of Madisonville.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the DOCJT Western Kentucky Police Academy to Madisonville,” said Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton. “This achievement is the result of strong collaboration between local and state leaders, law enforcement agencies, and the dedicated efforts of our community partners. The academy will not only bring significant economic growth but also enhance our local law enforcement’s training capabilities, making our city an even safer and more vibrant place to live.”
“I have been excited about this training center opening since the day plans for it were announced. It not only saves our county funds that would otherwise be spent on travel, but it will also ease the same burden for other counties in the western part of the commonwealth,” Hopkins County Judge/Executive Kevin Whitfield said. “In addition, this center will greatly increase the number of law enforcement officers who can be certified in the state. We have a lot to offer our visitors to Hopkins County, and I am proud to see we’ve become a regional hub for shopping, education, healthcare and commerce, and now we’ve added law enforcement training to our list.
Eastern Kentucky Housing Announcement
The Governor announced $7,750,000 to help build homes for flood survivors in Eastern Kentucky. The awards come from Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding, administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government.
- Gov. Beshear awarded $5,000,000 to Partnership Housing, Inc. to build six duplexes in the city of Booneville, located in Owsley County, for a total of twelve housing units.
“These homes we’re building are not only affordable, but also highly efficient,” said Booneville Mayor Nelson Bobrowski. “This funding is so instrumental to helping our people and moving them out of the floodplain.”
“We appreciate everything the Governor’s office has done for Owsley County,” said Owsley County Judge/Executive Zeke Little, Jr. “This is a great opportunity for us to get more housing, which is something we are short on. The more housing we have, the more people come in, and the more jobs are created. It’s a win-win for all of us.”
- The Governor also awarded $2,750,000 to Infrastructure Town View, Inc. to build a new 24-unit multi-family apartment building in Hyden, located in Leslie County.
Safe Streets and Roads For All Grants
The Governor announced that Team Kentucky was awarded nearly $28.5 million for seven separate grants in the newest round of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grants will fund improvements such as revamped pedestrian crossings, constructing new sidewalks and walkways, improving roadway shoulders, constructing roundabouts to replace high crash rate intersections and other safer road solutions.
The Envisioning a Safer Elizabethtown project received an $11.1 million grant matched by $2.3 million in state funds. Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory joined the Team Kentucky Update to express his excitement about the funding.
“We’re experiencing an economic and industrial boom in the city of Elizabethtown, and that’s due to the hard work of the Governor, the Cabinet for Economic Development and a lot of people on the local level,” said Mayor Gregory. “And because of that, we’re working hard to make sure our infrastructure stays ahead of the game. This grant money is going to be huge for us because it identifies two different corridors that are most at risk statistically for injury accidents, and we’ll be able to put this money towards updating that infrastructure, making people safer and saving lives.”
Also receiving funding are Boone and Henderson counties, Danville, London, Louisville and Versailles. See a full breakdown of the projects. The funding comes from the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
First Federally Funded Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Kentucky
On Tuesday, the Governor joined U.S. Department of Energy Senior Advisor for State and Community Engagement Christopher Castro, State Highway Engineer James Ballinger and state and local officials at Circle K in Richmond to cut the ribbon on the first electric vehicle fast-charging station in the southeastern United States built with funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the Kentucky State University football team as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. The team will play the Morehouse College Tigers at Soldier Field on Saturday night, as part of the Chicago Football Classic.
“This is more than a game, it’s an opportunity to recognize great historically black colleges and universities across the country, like KSU, and to raise money for scholarships for African American students planning to attend those institutions,” said Gov. Beshear. “We can’t wait to watch the game and cheer on our home team. I’m proud of how these young men are representing our commonwealth on the national stage, and that’s why I’m excited to recognize each of them as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars, as well as their coaches and team staff.”
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Editor’s note: To view the Governor’s Team Kentucky Update, click here.