FRANKFORT, KY - On August 15, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development; funding awards to support Eastern Kentucky communities recovering from flooding; an improvement project for Kentucky Highway 15 in Breathitt County; and ongoing efforts to support Kentuckians affected by recent disasters. The Governor also named fencer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Lee Kiefer as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear congratulated leaders from Lotte Aluminium Materials USA as they have started hiring Kentucky workers to fill 122 full-time jobs in Elizabethtown. In 2022, the company announced plans to locate an aluminum foil manufacturing operation in Hardin County with a $238.7 million investment. Production manager Germain Smith attended today’s news conference and spoke about the company’s success in Kentucky.

The Governor recapped his announcement that over 4,000 Kentuckians are expected to receive skills training thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation, which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development that help private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives. Novelis Corp. in Guthrie is one of the companies receiving workforce training support, and plant manager Tom Lilienthal also attended Thursday’s conference and spoke about the positive effects this funding will have on the company.

The Governor highlighted continued momentum in the commonwealth’s site development and speed-to-market efforts with the announcement of a new Build-Ready location in Rowan County, positioning the community for future investment and job creation.

Gov. Beshear also announced a new Build-Ready location in Henderson County, marking the largest Build-Ready site in the commonwealth.

The Governor announced six innovative Kentucky companies will receive nearly $650,000 in state matching grants to support high-paying jobs and further grow the state’s thriving industries through the commonwealth’s nationally recognized Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Funds program.

Gov. Beshear highlighted Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman’s visit last week with local officials and leaders from Jackson Purchase Distillery, a startup bourbon producer, to celebrate and cut the ribbon on a new rickhouse at the company’s distilling operation in Fulton County. The $10 million investment adds to the company’s $26 million expansion project announced in October 2022 that is creating 54 full-time jobs.

Eastern Kentucky State Aid for Emergencies Fund Awards
Gov. Beshear awarded more than $23 million to six cities, seven counties and one school board in Eastern Kentucky communities affected by the devastating 2022 floods. These dollars come from the Eastern Kentucky State Aid for Emergencies Fund, established by Gov. Beshear and the General Assembly in August 2022.

Breathitt County Judge/Executive Jeff Noble, Floyd County Judge/Executive Robbie Williams, Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander and Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams joined the Team Kentucky Update to talk about what the funding means for their communities. For a full list of awards, see the full release.

Project to Improve KY 15 in Breathitt County
The Governor announced that a nearly $50 million highway improvement project is underway to bring much-anticipated improvements to KY 15, a heavily traveled state highway corridor in Breathitt County. The project will add lanes and sidewalks to a busy stretch of the corridor within the city limits of Jackson. It also will further strengthen and stabilize the dam that holds Panbowl Lake.

Update on Severe Weather Recovery
Gov. Beshear provided an update on ongoing efforts to support those affected by severe weather in the commonwealth, including storms over Memorial Day weekend and the 4th of July holiday.

Currently, 74 Kentuckians are receiving shelter through the Commonwealth Sheltering Program. They are staying in 22 travel trailers and one hotel, spread across locations that include Pennyrile State Park, Western Kentucky RV Park and Mine Made Adventure Park, as well as various private sites.

Kentucky Emergency Management has relaunched the Disaster Needs Portal, an online resource for those seeking emergency shelter, as well as families who need to register for assistance and meet other unmet needs. Those in need can register online by visiting tinyurl.com/kyemdisastersurvey, calling 502-607-6665 or in person at any disaster recovery center.

As of Aug. 14, FEMA had disbursed over $1.3 million in Individual Assistance funds to 883 survivors across 15 counties affected by the Memorial Day weekend storms. The Governor urged those who believe they were wrongly determined ineligible to appeal. You can apply for assistance or file an appeal online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, by phone by calling 800-621-3362, in person at any Disaster Recovery Center or via the FEMA mobile app.

The Governor also recapped his announcement that the state will accept applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from individuals in 15 counties who are out of work as a result of the severe storms in Kentucky on May 21-27, 2024. The deadline to apply is Oct. 9.

Team Kentucky has established Disaster Recovery Centers across the commonwealth to provide in-person assistance to families in need. The centers are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. See the full list of centers.

Team Kentucky All-Star
Gov. Beshear recognized Olympic fencer Lee Kiefer as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. Kiefer, who grew up in Lexington, won her second consecutive gold medal in individual foil at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She also won gold in team foil, making her the first American fencer in history to have three Olympic gold medals.

“Lee, you have made the commonwealth – and all of America – so proud,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations on your well-deserved achievements. I am more than happy to name you this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.”