Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update

FRANKFORT, KY - On Oct. 31, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, federal grants, voting in the upcoming election, a new initiative to improve health and wellness in the commonwealth, an award received by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, funding for new school buses, medical cannabis, and new benefits and program offerings within executive branch employment. The Governor named the Dodgers star pitcher Walker Buehler and 2024 All-Star catcher Will Smith as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

The Governor also encouraged Kentucky families planning to participate in trick-or-treating tonight to take precautions as inclement weather is expected through the evening, including thunderstorms.

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted the continued growth of the state’s site development efforts as projects in Caldwell, Floyd and Perry counties moved through today’s approval process. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved three projects today for $10.2 million in state funding in addition to local support.

The Governor announced continued economic growth in Kentucky’s health care industry as HealthTrackRx, a provider of infectious disease laboratory services, plans to locate a new facility in Louisville, creating 230 quality full-time jobs with a $45.5 million investment.

The Governor highlighted continued growth in Kentucky’s vast manufacturing sector as Ridgenet Network Group LLC - a manufacturer of equipment for emergency vehicles and other components used in law enforcement, fire and EMS - plans to expand its Pulaski County presence with a $1.2 million expansion that will create 20 additional full-time jobs.

Gov. Beshear highlighted continued momentum of the state’s logistics sector as DHL Express announced the groundbreaking of the company’s new state-of-the-art aviation maintenance facility in Northern Kentucky, a $292 million investment creating 300 new, full-time jobs.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $33 billion in announced investments, creating nearly 56,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

Federal Grants
This week, Gov. Beshear joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke to announce that up to $1.4 billion in federal funds are going to increase Kentucky’s access to clean energy, education and health care as well as support economic growth in rural communities.

This is the third federal grant over $1 billion that Kentucky has been awarded under the Beshear-Coleman administration, including a nearly $1.1 billion grant to bring high-speed internet service to every Kentuckian, announced in June 2023, and a more than $1.6 billion grant to support the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, announced in December 2022.

The Governor also recapped his announcement that the Capital City Airport is receiving a $1 million federal grant to construct a new terminal building in Frankfort. Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson joined the press conference to express his excitement about the project.

Voting in the Upcoming Election
Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that the general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Voters who requested an absentee ballot are reminded that their ballots must be returned to their county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on Nov. 5. Dropbox locations can be found at govote.ky.gov.

The Governor also encouraged Kentuckians to take advantage of no-excuse early voting. From Thursday, Oct. 31, to Saturday, Nov. 2, Kentucky voters can vote early at local county clerks’ offices and other designated areas. Kentuckians can check with their local county clerk’s office or visit govote.ky.gov for places and times in their area.

“Voting is the bedrock principle of our society, and I’m proud of the bipartisan steps we’ve taken to protect every Kentuckian’s right to vote and make their voice heard,” said Gov. Beshear. “Use your voice and use your vote Kentucky.”

“We expect a mammoth turnout in this election,” said Secretary of State Michael Adams. “I urge Kentuckians to use the three days of early voting rather than exacerbate lines on Tuesday.”

The Governor said that Kentucky Emergency Management will activate the State Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. This activation is not in anticipation of any foreseen issues in Kentucky. This is a step many states across the nation are taking in a shared commitment for a safe and secure election. Emergency Management Director, Eric Gibson spoke on how the state is preparing for a smooth election.

Our Healthy Kentucky Home
To build on the success of job growth and historic economic progress, Gov. Beshear and Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack announced the launch of “Our Healthy Kentucky Home,” an initiative aimed to engage and inspire Kentuckians on a personal journey of achievable health and wellness improvements.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Receives Award
The Governor congratulated Team Kentucky members at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for receiving an award from the American Public Human Services Association for the success of the Kentucky Health Information Data Sharing project. This project created a new way to provide Kentucky child welfare workers with real-time access to health care records, streamlining communication and helping the state better serve children in foster care.

Funding for Cleaner School Buses
The Governor announced that five Kentucky school districts will receive a total of $340,950 to purchase new diesel and propane buses that will keep students healthier by reducing emissions. One of the awardees, Nelson County School District, will receive $125,000 toward the purchase of four new buses. Devin O’Bryan, director of transportation for the Nelson County School District, spoke on the importance of this funding:

Medical Cannabis
On Monday, Gov. Beshear joined the state’s first-ever medical cannabis license lottery. During the event, held at the Kentucky Lottery Corp. in Louisville, Team Kentucky selected 26 applicants for medical cannabis cultivation and processor licenses. Today, the Governor and Office of Medical Cannabis Executive Director Sam Flynn presented the first Tier I cultivator license to Farmtucky in Fayette County. Matthew Goeing, Owner/Operator of Goeing Blue/Farmtucky joined the press conference to accept the license.

The Governor announced today that Kentucky will be holding two lottery dates for dispensary licenses. The first will be held Monday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. at the Kentucky Lottery Corp. in Louisville. It will follow the same format as the lottery for cultivators and processors held on Oct. 28. The Office of Medical Cannabis, in conjunction with the Kentucky Lottery Corp., will draw and announce the selectees for 9 of the 11 dispensary licensing regions. Four selectees will be drawn for each region. The regions that will be pulled Nov. 25 are as follows:

- Region 3: Northeast
- Region 4: South Central
- Region 5: Cumberland
- Region 6: Mountain
- Region 7: Pennyrile
- Region 8: West Kentucky
- Region 9: Lincoln Trail
- Region 10: Northern Kentucky
- Region 11: Green River

The second and final dispensary lottery will be held Monday, Dec. 16. The regions that will be pulled on that date are as follows:

- Region 1: Bluegrass
- Region 1: (Fayette County only)
- Region 2: Kentuckiana
- Region 2: Kentuckiana (Jefferson County only)

Finally, the Governor announced that the Office of Medical Cannabis will be reopening the application portal for Testing Labs for the month of November. This is for safety compliance facilities only - facilities that help ensure medical cannabis products are safe for Kentuckians to consume.

First Day Health Insurance Coverage and Team Kentucky Internship Program
The Governor recapped his announcement of two initiatives to position Kentucky state government as the commonwealth’s employer of choice. First, starting Jan. 1, 2025, new state government employees will be offered health insurance coverage beginning on the first day of their employment. Second, the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet is now accepting applications for the inaugural Team Kentucky Internship Program, an exclusive opportunity for college students considering a career in public service.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named the Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Walker Buehler and 2024 All-Star catcher Will Smith as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. Last night, these two Kentuckians became World Series champions for the second time.

“Buehler played his high school ball at Henry Clay in Lexington, so we went to the same high school. Will played his high school ball at Kentucky Country Day before playing at the University of Louisville,” said Gov. Beshear. “When the Dodgers beat the Yankees last night, these two Kentuckians became World Series champions for the second time. Congratulations to these hometown heroes!”