FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update Thursday on several projects and achievements in Kentucky.
The "Team Kentucky" update included the following:
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted new growth in Kentucky’s manufacturing sector.
Niagara Bottling, a manufacturer of bottled water and soft drinks, announced plans to locate a new in Kenton County creating 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 Governor says 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.
“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 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.
New Madisonville Law Enforcement Training Facility
The Governor announced a historic expansion of law enforcement basic training in Western Kentucky.
A new training facility will open in Madisonville in February 2025.
Previously, officers from every county in the commonwealth have traveled to Richmond to receive the 20 weeks of 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 part of the state will soon be able to train closer to home.
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.
“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."
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.
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 funding comes from the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
