Permanent home for Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School, health and community center planned

LOUISVILLE, KY - On June 7, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined leaders from Molina Healthcare and Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in West Louisville as the health care provider announced the donation of 20 acres for a new middle school as well as a new health and community center.

“Molina Healthcare and JCPS are showing what Team Kentucky spirit is about,” said Gov. Beshear. “By working together, we are helping Kentuckians access health care, better serving our students and boosting public education in West Louisville. Congratulations to everyone involved. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on these amazing projects.”

JCPS plans to build what will become the permanent home of Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School on the property. The district will also conduct a developer “request for proposal” to construct a new administrative building at the site. JCPS has agreed to allocate a portion of the development for Passport to serve members and the community through its One Stop Help Center.

“This exciting project is another example of our commitment to the students and families in West Louisville,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “We appreciate Molina’s support in moving us toward our goal of building more than 20 new schools in the next decade, providing bright, modern places for engaged teaching and learning.”

Molina purchased the property – at 18th Street and Broadway – in the fall of 2022. The company held a series of listening sessions to gather input from community leaders, local stakeholders and government partners to ensure future developments align with the needs of residents in the area and Kentuckians in surrounding communities.

“Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Beshear, Mayor Greenberg, Superintendent Pollio and the many community leaders who provided input and guidance throughout this process, we have arrived at a great moment for West Louisville,” said Ryan Sadler, plan president of Passport by Molina Healthcare. “Passport is thrilled and honored to make this contribution to the community we call home.”

“The land donation by Molina Healthcare to JCPS shows the great things we can achieve for our community when we work together,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “The new school and One Stop Help Center will further empower residents across West Louisville and beyond, further moving our city in a new direction toward a safer, stronger and healthier future for everyone.”

Today’s announcement builds on the major impressive investments that are being made in West Louisville.

Broadway YMCA announced a $28 million investment with $500,000 in new annual payroll. Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center has announced a $53 million investment. Beecher Terrace recently completed a multiphase rehab, with 620 units in four phases with tens of millions of dollars invested.

In March, the Governor was in West Louisville to help cut the ribbon on the Goodwill Opportunity Center. The $50 million center will serve 50,000 Kentuckians each year. The Goodwill center will create 200 new jobs that pay an average annual wage of $60,000. Goodwill also has an innovative partnership with Norton Healthcare, which is building the first hospital in West Louisville in 150 years – a $100 million investment creating 200-plus jobs.

In October 2023, Gov. Beshear helped announce the biggest investment in West Louisville in several decades with Stellar Snacks, a woman-owned business investing $137 million, creating 350 full-time jobs.

In late February, the Governor helped celebrate modular housing manufacturer MMY US for its first U.S. operation, a $6.1 million investment.

Site Selection magazine’s recent Governor’s Cup rankings for 2023 placed the Louisville and Jefferson County region sixth nationally in projects per capita for all metropolitan areas. This region had the state’s highest ranking in this category. This comes after Jefferson County saw over $340 million dollars in announced investments in 2023 creating over 1,500 full-time jobs.