Gov. Beshear provides Team Kentucky update
FRANKFORT, Kentucky – Today Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentucky residents on the growth of economic development; addiction treatment; a high-speed internet grant for Simmons College; the Better Internet Initiative Listening Tour; the Safe Roads for All Grant Scheme; recovery and rebuilding efforts in eastern Kentucky; the Department of Juvenile Justice; upcoming federal changes in pandemic Medicaid and public health.
He named Yared Nuguse, alumnus of DuPont Manual High School and US record holder, to this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Economic development update
Governor Beshear highlighted five economic development projects that are expected to create 633 jobs and represent more than $32 million in new investment.
The governor announced an expansion in Hopkinsville for White Drive Motors & Steering, a manufacturer of orbital motors and hydraulic steering units. The company will expand its presence in Kentucky with an expansion of its 124,000 square foot facility in Christian County, creating 25 full-time positions with an investment of nearly $16 million.
gov. Beshear announced continued growth for Kentucky’s manufacturing sector with the new Water Solutions Unlimited location in Grayson County, a $3 million investment that will create eight full-time onsite and four remote positions in Kentucky.
The governor congratulated SYGMA Network, a grocery and delivery service, on the company’s new 330,000 square foot location in Burlington, which will create 150 new jobs for residents of northern Kentucky.
Governor Beshear joined executives from Ancra Cargo, a leading designer and manufacturer of cargo securing systems for transportation, to cut the ribbon at the company’s newly renovated Hebron headquarters. The $8 million project has created over 50 new full-time jobs, representing a nearly 50 percent increase in the company’s workforce and offering potential for continued growth.
The governor underscored the continued dynamism of the state’s logistics and distribution sector as Whitehorse Freight cut the line on a new $5.4 million facility in Crestview Hills, creating over 400 high-quality jobs in the surrounding region.
New addiction support facility
Governor Beshear announced that Addiction Recovery Care, a nation’s leading provider of treatment and recovery, has completed the purchase of Bellefonte Hospital in Greenup County. At this location, they will create a new, comprehensive treatment facility that will provide life-saving addiction treatment and recovery services, as well as mental health support. ARC will create nearly 200 new high-quality jobs at this new center.
“This facility will change lives for the better. It takes a lot of guts and courage to take this step to overcome addiction and create a better life, and now those who are taking that step in this area will have the support they need to succeed,” Governor Beshear said . “I would like to thank Tim Robinson, Managing Director of ARC, and his entire team for their dedication to our people.”
Simmons College Scholarship to Expand High Speed Internet Access
The governor said Simmons College of Kentucky received $2,762,100 from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration as part of the Connecting Minority Communities pilot program. The funding will support a new on-campus digital teaching and learning center that will serve students, faculty and the surrounding community. The center will also share high-speed Internet access with two local neighborhoods through partnerships with the Family Life Center and the Louisville Central Community Center. Simmons College is one of 12 colleges and universities serving minorities with grants totaling $33.5 million.
“I would like to thank NTIA for this generous grant as it is a win-win for one of our historic HBCUs and its neighborhood. Simmons College students will have better and faster Internet access as they work toward their degrees. They will have a dedicated section to learn more about digital skills and technology,” Governor Beshear said. “And the best part is that they share this amazing learning hub with their community to help others through education.”
gov. Beshear Announces Better Internet Initiative Listening Tour
Today Governor Beshear announced that the state will host a 14-stop audio tour in Hopkinsville beginning Tuesday, February 14, as part of the ongoing Better Internet Initiative. The six-week listening tour, hosted by the state’s Office of Broadband Development in conjunction with the Department of Education and Labor, meets the planning requirements of the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Delivery Program while Kentucky develops a state high-speed Internet plan.
Visit broadband.ky.gov to learn more and to register to attend one of the listening tour stops.
Safe roads and roads for all grants
Yesterday, the US Department of Transportation announced that Kentucky will receive $25 million under the Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant program. The program aims to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians across the country by providing funding to build safer roads, sidewalks and crosswalks. Funds awarded to Kentucky will be used to improve roads that currently pose safety risks in communities across the Commonwealth, including Ashland, Corbin, Danville, Elizabethtown and Louisville.
Update on the flood disaster in eastern Kentucky
Governor Beshear provided an update on the recovery and rebuilding efforts in eastern Kentucky. The death toll from the floods has now risen to 45. That total includes Vanessa Baker of Breathitt County, who has been missing since the July floods.
Currently 226 families are housed in caravans. Kentucky State Parks is now housing 24 people, down from the 360 people that were protected as of September 1, 2022.
If flood victims need assistance, they should call FEMA directly or visit an interagency resource center. Visit Governor.ky.gov/FloodResources for more information. FEMA is still approving claims and is actively working to help flood victims.
The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised over $13.1 million from more than 41,500 donors. Click here to make a contribution.
EKSAFE and WKSAFE Fund Awards
Today the Governor announced grants totaling over $1.9 million from the Eastern Kentucky SAFE Fund. Today’s awards include:
- $250,000 to the City of Jackson to fund a long-term redevelopment plan;
- More than $1.5 million to Letcher County Treasury Court to fund FEMA match; and
- $150,000 to the village of Buckhorn for equipment for salvage efforts.
Governor Beshear also announced an award for the Western Kentucky SAFE Fund for communities affected by the December 2021 tornadoes. Today’s award is more than $375,000 to the Marshall County Fiscal Court to alleviate the tax burden of FEMA’s improper refund.
Update from the Juvenile Court
Consistent with his announcements to improve security in juvenile detention centers for juveniles and staff, the governor provided an update on changes being made at the Juvenile Justice Department.
Governor Beshear announced today that the Kentucky State Police will soon be stationed around the clock at all three maximum security facilities in Adair County, Fayette County and Warren County until personnel reach a safer point.
Governor Beshear also urged state legislatures to:
- Amend KRS 610.190 to allow public offenders to qualify for court-appointed bail similar to that provided for adults.
- Remove from custody status offenders and Class B misdemeanors, including for violating court orders.
“We are committed to taking steps that result in positive change to best protect our youth and employees,” Governor Beshear said. “We will ask lawmakers to support this effort. At this session, we will ask for additional funds to make these improvements.”
Last week Gov. Beshear announced that the Jefferson Juvenile Detention Center will reopen and begin receiving male juveniles who have been ordered to safe detention.
Executive Cabinet Secretary and Treasury Secretary John Hicks outlined the government’s budget proposal to the
General Assembly to drive improvements in juvenile justice and increase staff. Click here to view the details of the funding application.
Federal Pandemic Medicaid changes are coming
Gov. Beshear said the national state of emergency for the pandemic is ending and several funding programs will be closed in the coming months, including Pandemic Medicaid. Approximately 240,000 Kentuckians who have enrolled in Pandemic Medicaid will have their eligibility reassessed. Some will transition to either regular Medicaid, Medicare, or a private plan through Kynect. The Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations will initially contact you with additional information, and the Governor will provide timely updates and communications as they become available.
“We want to make sure that all affected Kentuckians — every single one of them — are transitioned to one of the new plans,” Gov. Beshear said. “There’s a lot more information to come, but we want to let people know about these changes very early on.”
Public Health Update
Governor Beshear also updated Kentucky residents on influenza and COVID-19. The spread of influenza appears to be declining but remains at elevated levels in Kentucky. For flu shot locations and dates, visit vaccinate.gov.
The governor said when the federal pandemic ends, it will result in changes in COVID-19 testing and treatment costs. The Kentucky Department of Public Health is working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners to determine exactly what impact this will have in Kentucky.
Team Kentucky All Star
Governor Beshear named American runner Yared Nugese to today’s Team Kentucky All-Star. The DuPont Manual graduate set a new US record on Friday when he ran the indoor 3,000-meter dash in 7:28.24.
“Yared, you’ve done all of Kentucky a lot of pride and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next. I’m proud to name him a Team Kentucky All-Star this week,” said Gov. Beshear.
