Gov. Beshear: Team Kentucky Partners With Nonprofit Grant Ready Kentucky To Help Communities Access Federal Grant Funding
GRANT Program provides support to enhance economic development and tourism opportunities
FRANKFORT, KY. (March 3, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a Team Kentucky partnership is helping communities across the commonwealth access federal grant funding to improve quality-of-life initiatives and create new investment and job-creation opportunities.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (CED) has partnered with nonprofit Grant Ready Kentucky (GRKY) to ensure communities have the resources needed to leverage federal grants and fund innovative projects across the commonwealth, including infrastructure upgrades, creation of recreational facilities, increased child care access and public transportation, among other eligible uses. The partnership builds on the Governor’s mission to strengthen the state’s communities by helping them increase their chances of winning competitive federal grant funding, which makes our New Kentucky Home an even better place to live, work and invest.
“This partnership is part of our commitment to better the lives of our people and position our communities for future growth and prosperity,” Gov. Beshear said. “I want to thank everyone at Grant Ready Kentucky for their support of community and nonprofit organizations. This work will help us identify and capitalize on federal funding opportunities to spur economic growth, job creation and quality of life improvements in our New Kentucky Home.”
In 2023, Grant Ready Kentucky championed the creation of the Kentucky GRANT match program, a bipartisan policy designed to better position Kentucky communities to be awarded federal grants for economic development and tourism projects. The GRANT Program of 2024, now administered by CED, provides up to $200 million in matching funds to help communities and nonprofits meet local match requirements for eligible federal grants. The program also provides applicants with grant writing support by combining real-life stories and the measurable impacts these federal grants will have if awarded.
Hannah Conover, executive director and co-founder of Grant Ready Kentucky, explained why they supported the creation of the program and why it’s important for Kentucky communities: “The 2023 pilot of the GRANT program demonstrated an 8-to-1 return at the state level. Every dollar the state invested was leveraged into over eight federal dollars that came back into Kentucky. Most importantly, it came back in the form of vital funding for projects that communities care about, predominantly in rural and distressed areas of the state. This program isn’t just about the amount of funding that it leverages. It’s also about moving forward the projects that are most important to our Kentucky communities.”
Through the GRANT Program of 2024, CED aims to disburse the $200 million state investment to support up to $1 billion in community-driven projects.
Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel said Kentucky is seeing amazing grant applications that connect all the right elements of state and local cooperation needed to win competitive federal grant funding: “We have committed $93 million, with total project costs of about $437 million. On this trajectory, we could see over $1 billion of projects leveraged with the $200 million program. The capacity building we are seeing with local communities that have historically struggled on these competitive grants are now presenting their grants in powerful ways that will help them access federal funding for years to come. Now that is a success story in and of itself on top of a leverage ratio that could exceed 5-to-1.”
Appropriations & Revenue Committee Chair Rep. Jason Petrie, who co-sponsored the legislation that established the GRANT program, remarked on the program’s robust fiscal impact and return for Kentucky: “This is a massive program. When you really get down to it, not just the dollar figures, but its impact. And if you’re thinking about $200 million going out to assist local applicants, that might potentially result in $1 billion worth of investment in Kentucky, that is a pretty good ROI, I think.”
Over the next two years, Grant Ready Kentucky will provide supplemental grant writing support and education to help communities maximize federal grant success.
Additionally, CED has enhanced its coordination with Kentucky’s 15 Area Development Districts. Area Development District staff are the local experts in workforce development, economic development and infrastructure across Kentucky and are vital to identifying and developing grant-eligible projects.
Casey Ellis, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts, noted the impact of the program: “State government now has a program to help provide matching funds that local governments often need to get grants. Originally targeted to coal counties, its outlay of $1.5 million helped generate $12.8 million in grants last year.”
Since launching the program in 2024, CED, Grant Ready Kentucky and the state’s Area Development Districts have collaborated on 155 projects totaling more than $400 million, a significant achievement demonstrating Kentucky’s readiness to take advantage of federal funding opportunities previously out of reach for many communities. This success stems from a collaborative effort wherein the Grant Ready Kentucky team and the ADDs are working closely with CED to share expertise and build on each other’s strengths. Several communities have even had multiple grants approved, which reflects the importance of the program and the need for state support of the local match required to obtain federal funding.
For more information about Grant Ready Kentucky, visit grantreadyky.org/about.
To request grant writing support or education, book a free office hour with an expert grant coach at grantreadyky.org/grant-professionals.
For more information about the Kentucky GRANT Program of 2024, visit the Cabinet’s dedicated website: ced.ky.gov/grant.
To find the local Area Development District that serves your county, visit this GRKY resource: grantreadyky.org/blog-resource/kentuckys-area-development-districts.
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Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Secures Another Top 5 Ranking in Economic Projects Per Capita in 2024 Governor’s Cup, Marking 5 Years in a Row
Kentucky ranks 2nd in South Central Region; 14 Kentucky communities recognized in Top Metropolitan, Micropolitan rankings
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 4, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky has once again placed in the top five for economic development projects per capita as Site Selection magazine posted its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings, a placement the state has held during all five years of this administration.
In the South Central region, Kentucky placed second for regional projects per capita, as well as third for total projects, with 187 announcements in 2024.
“These Governor’s Cup rankings showcase what we already know: Kentucky is witnessing unprecedented economic growth and setting a strong foundation for long-term success,” said Gov. Beshear. “Hundreds of new and expanding companies are selecting our New Kentucky Home for their projects and creating jobs throughout the commonwealth. I am proud to see not only recognition for what we have accomplished as a state, but also significant growth in so many of our communities.”
In addition to the commonwealth’s strong placement in the South Central region, several Kentucky communities were recognized for their economic success in 2024, with categories based on population size.
Bowling Green, for the second year in a row, placed first among top metro areas by total projects with populations between 50,000 and 200,000. The community also moved to the top spot in the per capita category. Announcements in Warren County include a new headquarters location from Clark Beverage Group and a new manufacturing facility from Shinsung ST KY.
Paducah and Owensboro also placed in the top 10 in the category for both total projects and per capita, and includes expansions from Blockware Mining, Swedish Match and Mizkan America.
Louisville/Jefferson County and the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati region both took spots in the top 10 for metros per capita for populations over one million, in addition to Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati placing seventh in total projects, with 126. Projects contributing to the placement include a new laboratory from HealthTrackRx; a relocation and expansion from Dan-O’s Seasoning; new facilities from ISCO Industries, Chick-fil-A Supply and L2 Aviation; and an expansion from Nexigen Communications.
Lexington/Fayette County placed fifth per capita and tied for ninth overall in top metros with populations between 200,000 and one million, with 25 projects. Expansion projects from SRC of Lexington and Piramal Pharma Solutions contributed to Lexington’s strong placement.
Paducah was recognized with top 10 spots in the 2024 Top Mississippi River Corridor Metro rankings, in both total projects (eighth) and projects per capita (second).
Additionally, eight Kentucky communities placed in the Top Micropolitans rankings by number of projects – the sixth most nationally – including Richmond-Berea, Corbin, Frankfort, Somerset, Campbellsville, Danville, Franklin and Madisonville.
Since 1988, Atlanta-based Site Selection has awarded the Governor’s Cup annually to the U.S. state with the newest and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by the Conway Projects Database. The rankings are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as an industry scoreboard. The magazine’s circulation reaches 42,000 executives in corporate site selection decision-making roles.
Last year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Kentucky’s recognition in the 2024 Governor’s Cup builds on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,100 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $35 billion in announced investments, creating more than 60,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $14 billion more than the next highest total.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Gov. Beshear announced a Supply Kentucky initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies. The Governor also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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Gov. Beshear Awards More Than $2.1 Million To Increase Public Safety
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear awarded more than $2.1 million to seven organizations to increase public safety.
“Creating a safer Kentucky is a top priority,” said Gov. Beshear. “These grant funds help us further that mission by providing support to those who are doing this important work in their community.”
The recipients of this funding include Fayette County Public Schools, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Maryhurst Inc. This funding is awarded through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.
“This funding will allow us to create a safer Kentucky by providing needed resources to Kentuckians in need,” said Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson. “With local government and nonprofit partners, we can expand our reach and continue to make our commonwealth a national leader in public safety.”
Fayette County Public Schools has been awarded $111,345 and plans to use this funding to support a community treatment plan for students, as well as further funding for school resource officers and increase mental health resources for students.
“Fayette County expresses its sincere gratitude for the Byrne grant funding, which will enable the implementation of critical interventions and services for vulnerable students facing trauma, mental health challenges, substance abuse and academic barriers,” said Fayette County Public Schools Chief Student Support Officer Dedeeh Newbern. “We value this partnership and are committed to maximizing the positive impact of these initiatives.”
The Administrative Office of the Courts has been awarded $329,511 to support Mental Health Court programming.
“The Mental Health Court Intervention Project is an important initiative to enhance the Kentucky Court of Justice’s commitment to providing pathways to recovery for justice-involved individuals with mental illness,” said Audrey Collins, executive director of the Department of Specialty Courts within the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Maryhurst Inc. is a Louisville nonprofit organization that provides residential and community-based mental and behavioral health services for individuals, families and organization struggling with the effects of severe trauma. The nonprofit was award of $115,379, to further its mission.
“This crisis intervention program will undoubtedly save lives and build resilience for those impacted by violence,” said Maryhurst CEO Paula Garner. “As the commonwealth’s nonprofit sector grows in its expertise, we can more effectively partner to stop community violence.”
More information about the grant funding can be found here.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities.
Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction. More than $149 million in grant funding has been awarded to victim service agencies across the commonwealth.
Recently, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has secured another low recidivism rate. Nearly 70% of people released from state custody over the past two years have not been re-incarcerated.
The 2023 Crime in Kentucky report, released in July of last year, indicates crime rates have remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. For the last three consecutive years, homicide rates have been declining.
In June, Gov. Beshear announced that the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report showed that the commonwealth saw a nearly 10% decrease in drug overdose deaths last year. This is the second consecutive annual decrease.
Click here to review some of the additional actions the Beshear-Coleman administration has taken to support law enforcement, increase public safety and support crime victims.
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Gov. Beshear: Kentucky State Police Keeping Children Safe, Arrest More Than 300 Online Predators
Kentucky State Police have arrested 309 online predators since 2019
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy announced that since 2019, the Kentucky State Police have arrested 309 online child predators.
“Our message is clear – there is no place for child predators or any crime against children in Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said. “As a dad, I want every child to be safe from harm, and as Governor, I will continue working to make sure this is the reality. And we are making this happen thanks to the vigilant efforts of the Kentucky State Police and our local law enforcement agencies.”
The Kentucky State Police also strongly encourages Kentuckians to learn more about financial sextortion, a scheme in which the perpetrator uses threats and intimidation to extort money from their victims – many of whom are children – which is becoming more prevalent nationwide. In most cases, it is related to the distribution or publication of intimate content of the victim. Kentuckians should contact law enforcement immediately if they believe someone has been a victim of sextortion.
“Our team is committed to tracking down the people who hide behind the keyboard to target our young people,” said Lt. Mike Bowling, Electronic Crime Branch commander. “We are working diligently to create a safer online environment for children by equipping parents with the knowledge and tools to monitor their children's activity online.”
To further assist the agency in locating hidden electronic storage devices such as hard drives, USB drives and cell phones that may contain criminal activity, such as child sexual abuse material, Kentucky State Police introduced the first-ever electronic storage device detection K-9 in Kentucky, one of only 51 of its kind nationwide. In 2021, K-9 May joined the agency and then in 2022, K-9 Cam came onboard to serve a dual purpose as an investigative tool for detectives interviewing children involved in these crimes.
In addition, the Electronic Crime Branch partners with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to provide education to help parents protect their kids online. These free resources have been distributed statewide to organizations serving families and children:
- 10 Things Parents Need to Know About Internet Safety
- Signs a Child Is Experiencing Cyberbullying
- Online Gaming Safety Tips for Parents
“At the heart of the work of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky is to prevent our children from falling prey to this horrific crime in the first place. These online resources and trainings have reached all 120 counties, and received national attention,” said Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Executive Director Jill Seyfred. “If just one family is equipped to be alert to the dangers of online predators, and if just one child is tucked into bed tonight having avoided these horrifying consequences, then we know we are moving in the right direction with our education and awareness activities.”
To report a suspected internet crime against a child, please contact the KSP Electronic Crime Branch at 502-782-9769 or any KSP local post.
Gov. Beshear encourages Kentuckians to be aware of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s takeitdown.ncmec.org website. This free service can help remove online sharing of nude or sexually explicit images or videos taken of a person when they were under 18 years old. To learn more about the free service, click here.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities.
Recently, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has secured another low recidivism rate. Nearly 70% of people released from state custody over the past two years have not been re-incarcerated.
The 2023 Crime in Kentucky report, released in July of last year, indicates crime rates have remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. For the last three consecutive years, homicide rates have been declining.
Gov. Beshear has also supported training for local law enforcement officers by raising the current training stipend to an all-time high, and the state supported the construction of a new training facility in Richmond.
Last year, Gov. Beshear signed into law House Bill 380, expanding the eligibility of potential peace officers to include individuals who are not yet 21 but will reach this statutory requirement by the time certification is completed to help law enforcement agencies expand their workforce.
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Gov. Beshear To Mark 5th Anniversary of COVID-19 in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 5, 2025) – Tomorrow, Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack will join state and local officials, along with several Kentucky families to mark the fifth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the commonwealth.
“During the hardest times, I promised our people that we would get through our challenges, and that we would get through them together; and it was the deep well of compassion from our people that gave me the confidence to make that statement,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we mark this fifth anniversary of COVID-19 in the commonwealth, let us honor the lives lost and forever changed as we also recommit ourselves to caring for our fellow Kentuckians.”
According to state officials, since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 has contributed to the deaths of more than 20,450 Kentuckians.
Dr. Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, highlighted the spirit of community that helped Kentucky fight the pandemic: “As we commemorate five years since COVID-19 changed all our lives, I encourage us to take heart that by being kind, caring and compassionate to each other, we did get through it, and most importantly, we got through it together.”
Tomorrow’s ceremony begins at 3 p.m. EST in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda with the chiming of bells by Kandie Adkinson, who retired from the Secretary of State’s office. Early in the pandemic, the Governor asked Kentuckians to unite by ringing bells at 10 a.m. each day so that those who were feeling alone would know we were with them. Throughout the pandemic, each weekday at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, Adkinson rang her father’s bell 120 times to honor those lost in each county.
Gov. Beshear and Dr. Stack will provide remarks, along with Dr. Crystal Miller of the Harrison County Health Department and Prisha Hedau, a student who was inspired to tell her own story of the pandemic after tuning in to the Governor’s daily news conferences. Pastor Richard Gaines of Consolidated Baptist Church and Rabbi David Wirtschafter of Temple Adath Israel, both in Lexington, will offer prayers. The program will include vocal performances by Sandra Wiggins.
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