Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, the Mountain Parkway Expansion, grants from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, a new effort to support reentry for those leaving incarceration, work to prevent overdoses, kynect open enrollment, work to support Kentucky veterans, and the Halloween celebration at the Capitol. The Governor also provided an update on Kentucky’s efforts to help other states following recent hurricanes and named all those aiding in recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Economic Development
Following a record year that saw Kentucky businesses top $40 billion in exports for the first time, Gov. Beshear announced $400,000 in State Trade Expansion Program funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration is available to help build the global presence of Kentucky-based companies.
Plan To Speed Completion of Mountain Parkway Expansion
The Governor announced that Kentucky will speed progress to complete the final section of the Mountain Parkway Expansion project thanks to a $116.3 million federal grant. The project will provide a safer, faster commute and support economic development throughout Eastern Kentucky.
Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Grants
The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security is awarding more than $4.3 million in funds to strengthen the security of Kentucky communities against potential cyber-attacks and terroristic threats. These funds come from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The city of Ashland will receive more than $273,000 to purchase an Emergency Response Trailer. Chief Steve Alley and Deputy Chief Will McKenzie from the Ashland Fire Department joined the press conference to speak about the award.
The city of Frankfort will receive more than $455,000 to purchase a mobile command post. Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson and Frankfort Police Chief Derrick Napier talked about what the funding will mean for the community.
The city of Mount Sterling will receive more than $83,000 to purchase mobile data terminals for the Mount Sterling Police Department. Lt. Aaron Noel with the Mount Sterling Police Department expressed excitement about the grant.
A complete list of award recipients can be found on the Office of Homeland Security website.
Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers
Gov. Beshear announced additional steps the state is taking to help those who have paid their debt to society with obtaining meaningful employment upon release and to continue reducing the state’s recidivism rate.
The Governor signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers, comprising 15 business and community leaders. The council will meet quarterly to educate employers and local communities on the benefits of second-chance hiring, advocate for laws and investments to improve reentry outcomes and develop best practices for effective reentry programming.
The Governor also announced that his administration is expanding career and technical opportunities throughout the prison system. The first prison to launch a new licensure program is the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, which is working to establish a licensed cosmetology school.
For more, see the full release.
Kentucky Overdose Response Effort
The Governor announced the commonwealth received a $37.2 million federal grant to support the continued work of the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE). This three-year grant will help the state further address the overdose crisis by increasing access to prevention, treatment and recovery services.
In 2023, KORE-funded programs delivered free treatment and recovery services to over 32,600 Kentuckians, distributed 96,700 free Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and reached 145,000 youth through school and community-based prevention programs.
Jody Jaggers of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association emphasized the importance of this work: “Since 2018, over 400,000 two-dose units of naloxone have been distributed to Kentuckians through this initiative. These aren’t just numbers; this represents lives saved. As the Governor said, these are loved ones, children, spouses, brothers and sisters. And with this new funding, we’ll be able to provide even more units of naloxone.”
Health Coverage Open Enrollment
The Governor reminded Kentuckians seeking quality, affordable health coverage through kynect to visit the website to preview the 2025 health insurance plans that will be offered during open enrollment, which takes place from Nov. 1 until Jan. 15, 2025.
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Gov. Beshear announced that since February of 2023, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has seen great increases in staffing and residency at the four state veterans’ centers. The state saw an increase of 213 state employees, including 175 nursing staff and 38 non-nursing staff. This staffing growth has increased the number of veterans the state can serve. During fiscal year 2024, state veterans’ centers had 221 admissions, the highest number since fiscal year 2019.
The Governor said these increases are due in large part to much-needed pay raises, collaboration with 19 local educational institutions that are providing onsite training and nurse recruitment through a Nurse Loan Repayment Program. To learn more about these opportunities, visit veterans.ky.gov.
State Capitol Halloween Celebration
The Governor invited Kentucky families to come to the Kentucky State Capitol on Oct. 31 to take part in a Halloween celebration. From 6 to 8 p.m. EDT, trick or treating will take place on the South Lawn of the Capitol. Several state cabinets and departments will have staff at booths to hand out candy, and the Governor and First Lady will be handing out candy at the Governor’s Mansion.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone back, once again, and Britainy and I can’t wait to see all the costumes and smiling faces,” said Gov. Beshear.
Support for Other States Following Hurricanes and Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor provided an update on how Kentucky is helping other states in the aftermath of the two recent hurricanes – Helene and Milton – that have devastated parts of the southeastern United States.
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) has offered to send troopers to both North Carolina and Florida, and they remain on standby if needed. Yesterday, KSP troopers escorted farmers from the Post 15 area who were hauling equipment to help farmers in North Carolina.
Six KSP telecommunicators were deployed to Asheville to work alongside local first responders and law enforcement to coordinate the dispatch of a helicopter for disaster relief operations and route first responders to citizens in need. Over the past two weeks, nearly 100 state transportation crew members have traveled to North Carolina to aid in rebuilding and repairing roads.
The Governor named all those aiding in hurricane recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars: “Thank you to all the Kentuckians stepping up in a variety of ways to help our neighbors in the aftermath of the two recent hurricanes. From hauling equipment to clearing roads, answering emergency calls and restoring waterlines, every action makes a difference. This is about neighbor helping neighbor, doing good, giving back. We are so grateful to each of you.”
With the 2024 General Election coming up Nov. 5, the Governor reminded all those working out of state for hurricane relief – or for any other reason – that they have various options for casting their vote.
Eligible voters can request a mail-in absentee ballot be sent to their residential address or – for workers out of state – anywhere in the United States. The deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 22. The deadline to return these ballots to local county clerks is 6 p.m. local time on Nov. 5. To request an absentee ballot online, visit govote.ky.gov or call your local county clerk’s office.
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Gov. Beshear: State Receives $37.2 Million Federal Grant To Continue Fighting Addiction, Save Lives
FRANKFORT, KY (Oct. 17, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the commonwealth has received a $37.2 million federal grant to support the administration’s ongoing work to prevent overdoses and save lives.
Through the three-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services grant, the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE) will continue to address the overdose crisis by increasing access to prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services for individuals facing addiction.
The Governor said that, in 2023, KORE-funded programs delivered free treatment and recovery services to over 32,600 people, distributed 96,700 free Narcan – a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses – kits and reached 145,000 youth through school and community-based prevention programs.
“A decrease of nearly 10% in drug overdose deaths last year is something worth celebrating,” Gov. Beshear said. “It says that what we’re doing is working. It says the more people who can get the help they need, the more lives we can save. We are thankful that these federal funds will make sure the good work we’re doing continues and grows.”
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) reports that over the past six years, the federal funding has led to an unprecedented expansion in services addressing opioid and stimulant use at the community level. KORE – along with several federal, state and local agencies – now supports over 160 partnerships statewide, many of which provide FDA-approved medications that reverse opioid overdose and treat opioid use disorder.
“We are grateful for the continued investment from our federal partners in addressing the overdose crisis in Kentucky. This grant ensures we can continue implementing programs that save lives. From this work, we see that treatment works, and recovery is possible,” said CHFS Secretary Eric Friedlander.
“The impact of KORE since its inception in 2017 is incalculable. Across the lives saved, families kept together, dreams realized for education and employment, Team Kentucky is remarkably stronger thanks to the investment of federal partners and vision of our community partners,” said Dr. Katherine Marks, commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
To date, KORE has built the following partnerships to address the overdose crisis:
- In a network of Regional Prevention Centers, school-aged children will participate in science-backed curriculum that empowers students with social-emotional learning and substance use prevention skills.
- The Kentucky Hospital Association will reduce opioid overprescribing and improve safe opioid use through its oversight of the Statewide Opioid Stewardship initiative. In this program, hospitals and primary care clinics across the state will adopt practices and policies that support appropriate acute and chronic pain management. The association will also support the implementation of a treatment model that provides buprenorphine alongside peer support and linkage to ongoing treatment for individuals seeking services in emergency departments for an opioid- or stimulant-related health complication.
- Hospitals, primary care offices, and specialty clinics will expand access to life-saving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), with a specific focus on increasing access to treatment for individuals who are pregnant or postpartum and those who are justice-involved.
- The Kentucky Pharmacist Association is distributing over 120,000 naloxone kits to individuals who are most likely to witness an overdose. Fentanyl and xylazine test strips will also be distributed.
- Eight Quick Response Teams will provide assertive outreach and engagement to individuals who have experienced an overdose and their social networks.
This new funding award will allow the commonwealth to continue to build on the program’s successes while also expanding work to support evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery support services to also address stimulant misuse, including for cocaine and methamphetamine.
“With the support of these federal dollars, we will be able to sustain innovative initiatives that provide critical services to individuals struggling with opioid and stimulant use,” KORE Project Director Dr. Caitlyn Hood said. “These initiatives reduce barriers to care for those who are uninsured and underinsured, increase the capacity for emergency departments to provide substance use treatment and linkages to community resources and ensure access to life-saving medications for opioid use disorder in primary care settings. Additionally, our partners provide the necessary supports for long-term recovery.”
The funding formulas for state opioid response awards can be found by clicking here. You can find more information on KORE by clicking here.
To find mental health and substance use treatment services, naloxone, and recovery housing in your area, click here, visit findhelpnow.org/ky, or call 1-877-318-1871.
The Beshear administration remains committed to removing illicit drugs and further decreasing drug overdose deaths.
Just last month the Governor announced that his administration is awarding $1.7 million in grant funding to 12 local and state agencies to fight drug trafficking and create safer communities.
In September, Gov. Beshear also joined state and local leaders and recovery advocates at the state Capitol to recognize Recovery Month in Kentucky. The Governor certified four counties as Recovery Ready Communities, bringing the total to 18, and ceremonially signed three pieces of legislation supporting addiction recovery in the commonwealth.
Kentucky leads the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita. The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade.
In May, the Governor announced that Kentucky’s Counterdrug Program helped save Kentuckians’ lives by supporting the seizure of 265,170 fentanyl pills and 208.3 pounds of fentanyl during the 2023 federal fiscal year.
This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to help Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357). Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at FindNaloxone.ky.gov and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.
Last year, Gov. Beshear announced a new searchable website to help people find recovery housing, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org. Since the website’s launch, over 24,000 individuals have been connected to recovery housing resources across the commonwealth.
Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find a post where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program through KSP’s Angel Initiative.
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Gov. Beshear Signs Executive Order Establishing the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers
Administration remains focused on enhancing public safety and reducing crime
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2024) – To further support Kentucky’s booming economy and enhance public safety, Gov. Andy Beshear today announced additional steps the state is taking to help those who have paid their debt to society with obtaining meaningful employment upon release and to continue reducing the state’s recidivism rate.
The Governor signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers, comprising 15 business and community leaders, including Amazon, BlueOval SK, UPS, DV8 Kitchen and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, along with the secretaries of the Justice Cabinet, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Education and Labor Cabinet. The council will meet quarterly to educate employers and local communities on the benefits of second-chance hiring, advocate for laws and investments to improve reentry outcomes and develop best practices for effective reentry programming. The council will provide an annual report to the Governor on or before Jan. 31 each year detailing activities, findings and recommendations.
“We have made great progress, recording the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade, and now we’re turning our progress into prosperity,” Gov. Beshear said. “To protect Kentucky families, save lives, build safer communities and create a new Kentucky home with less crime and addiction, we must support those leaving incarceration with a solid foundation so they can obtain a good job – one that helps them provide for their family and successfully return to society.”
Several leaders from the council stated what second-chance employment means for the success of their business.
At least 95% of the state inmate population will be released from incarceration at some point. To further help inmates become strong candidates for Kentucky’s fast-paced labor market through the development of job skills and attainment of certifications, the Governor also announced that his administration is expanding career and technical opportunities throughout the prison system.
The first prison to launch a new licensure program is the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, which is working to establish a licensed cosmetology school. This will be the first time in Kentucky that a prison has had a cosmetology school. Once launched, female inmates will be able to complete a Kentucky Board of Cosmetology-approved course of study from qualified instructors while incarcerated. Upon completing the required 1,500 hours of instruction, inmates will be eligible to take the cosmetology examination. Upon successfully passing the practical and written exams, an individual will be a licensed cosmetologist and ready to obtain employment upon release.
For today’s announcement, the Governor was joined by Kerry Harvey, special advisor to the Governor for reentry programs, who has been tasked with collaborating with businesses and state agencies to build access to an untapped talent pool ready and equipped to work on day one.
“These partnerships strengthen Kentucky families by enhancing public safety and reducing crime,” said Harvey. “By establishing strong second chances for those who have been released from incarceration, we are building a new Kentucky home where our future generations not only are safe but feel safe at home and in their communities, while also saving lives.”
In April, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $32.8 billion in announced investments, creating more than 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.
Last year, the Governor was joined by members of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council to launch the Jobs on Day One initiative, which aims to help released inmates have a job when they leave incarceration. This new initiative helps former inmates become strong candidates for Kentucky’s fast-paced labor market through the development of job skills and attainment of certifications while providing educational opportunities and treatment services. Employers interested in participating in Jobs on Day One, click here.
The Kentucky Transformational Employment Program has trained more than 4,000 business leaders across the commonwealth as second-chance employers, representing 35,000 jobs for individuals recently released from prison or in recovery from addiction.
In June, the Beshear-Coleman administration announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth have decreased for the second year in a row, with 2023 seeing a 9.8% decrease compared with the previous year. In 2023, the state supported the distribution of more than 160,000 doses of Narcan were distributed. The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment, and the Recovery Ready certification helps communities support residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction.
The state is also leading the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita.
The Governor has long been proponent for second chances and signed an executive order on his third day in office to automatically restore the voting rights to Kentuckians who have completed their sentences for nonviolent, nonsexual offenses and have paid their debt to society. Now more than 194,703 Kentuckians’ rights have been restored.
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Gov. Beshear: Building on Record Year for Exports, $400,000 Federal Award To Help Grow Global Presence of Kentucky Companies
Eligible small businesses urged to apply for up to $15,000 in reimbursement funds
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2024) – Following a record year that saw Kentucky businesses top $40 billion in exports for the first time, today Gov. Andy Beshear announced new federal funding is available to help build the global presence of Kentucky-based companies.
The $400,000 in State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) funds comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), bringing federal funding to 75% of the project. The funding will help more companies increase their presence in global markets, in turn creating economic growth and additional jobs for Kentucky residents.
“This grant program has helped hundreds of Kentucky businesses become exporters, boosting economic development and momentum across our state,” said Gov. Beshear. “We know that small and medium-size businesses are crucial to the success of our economy and workforce. Gaining the resources to empower even more of our great companies to access international markets is a huge win for Kentucky businesses, as well as the families and communities they support.”
This funding follows a record-breaking year for exports in Kentucky with Gov. Beshear announcing in February that more Kentucky-made products were shipped around the world in 2023 than in any other year on record. The commonwealth broke its single-year total with $40.2 billion in exports, a 16.6% increase over the previous year.
The grant program, which marks its 12th anniversary of funding small-business growth, provides companies with the information and tools needed to successfully sell their products and services worldwide.
A wide range of activities are supported by STEP, including training and workshops for exporting, U.S. Department of Commerce user service, website translations, e-commerce platforms, trade missions, foreign market sales trips, design of international marketing media, exhibiting at trade shows with international audiences, compliance testing, export credit insurance premiums and much more. Since its inception in 2011, Kentucky STEP has awarded $3.4 million to more than 260 businesses across the state. With 95% of the world’s consumers and two-thirds of all purchasing power located outside the United States, this grant program plays a critical role in providing access to capital, markets and buyers.
How To Apply:
Eligible Kentucky businesses may receive up to $15,000 in reimbursement grant funding for year 12 of the STEP program. Anyone interested in applying for funding is encouraged to visit kyexports.com for the application and other valuable sources of information for exporters.
“Once again, the hard work of Kentucky’s businesses to get their products and services into the hands of international buyers has paid off resulting in a record-breaking year of exports. Our federal partners at the SBA recognize Kentucky STEP funds are being maximized, awarding the commonwealth a third consecutive round of grant funding of $400,000 to administer to eligible small businesses,” said Mary NeCamp, director of STEP at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. “Kentucky’s STEP grant program uniquely ‘meets businesses where they’re at’ offering a wide array of allowable activity options to fit their plans on their timelines, fully reimbursing them for things they want and need to push forward into new markets. Many are surprised at the definition of ‘small business.’ The Small Business Measuring Tool allows for several hundred employees at most manufacturing companies and millions of dollars in average revenue for service companies. We encourage interested companies to not rule out the possibility of participating based on size until you check it out. If you need assistance figuring out if your business qualifies, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
As of 2023, Kentucky was home to more than 363,000 small businesses that employ 706,640 people. That represents approximately 99.3% of all companies in the state. Small businesses have made significant contributions to Kentucky’s record economic success, and STEP has taken that momentum to new heights.
Peg Hayes, president of Stillworks LLC dba Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, commented: “With our expansion into international markets, we collaborated closely with Kentucky STEP to amplify our global footprint. Through STEP, we received targeted funding that supported our participation in key international trade shows, directly leading to significant export sales and valuable new trade leads. This initiative not only expanded our market presence but also enhanced our team’s expertise through specialized training in export compliance and market strategies. Our partnership with the SBA and the state has been instrumental, fostering a network that continues to fuel our growth and success in the spirits industry.”
STEP is an SBA program administered in the commonwealth by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Companies that meet the federally defined criteria of a small business and will export products that are at least 51% U.S. content could be eligible for a grant.
STEP also aligns with the Kentucky Export Initiative (KEI). Through KEI, the cabinet partners with a coalition of agencies and organizations to streamline and promote the state’s efforts to help Kentucky businesses reach global markets.
The newly announced STEP funding builds on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $32.8 billion in announced investments, creating more than 55,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in 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 INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
In March, 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. In April, Site Selection 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.
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.
For more information, or to apply for STEP funding, visit kyexports.com/step-grant. Email completed applications to STEP Program Manager Mary NeCamp at mnecamp@ky.gov.
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.
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