Gov. Beshear: Workforce Programs Power Training for 8,775 Kentuckians
New funding builds on support for 42,600 trainees in fiscal year 2024, the most in 8 years
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted continued investment in the commonwealth’s mission of developing, maintaining and retaining its world-class workforce, further supporting Kentucky’s thriving economy.
Over 8,775 Kentuckians will receive skills training thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC), which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development that help private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives. In fiscal year 2024, the BSSC board of directors approved roughly $19 million in funds and credits for 104 Kentucky facilities to train 42,600-plus workers, the most since 2016.
“We have a hard-working and world-class workforce here in the commonwealth, and we are ensuring Kentucky develops and maintains this important asset for generations to come,” said Gov. Beshear. “To support our thriving economy, it’s crucial that we connect Kentucky workers with skills training opportunities. Equipping our workforce with the tools they need to thrive is a huge part of our mission to build a better Kentucky, and we’re making great progress thanks to programs like BSSC.”
This month’s approvals included workforce training support for over 2,667 employees at the Training Consortium of South Central Kentucky in Bowling Green and an additional 2,007 trainees at Metalsa Structural Products in Elizabethtown. Other approvals include 1,440 trainees for Logan Aluminum in Russellville; 675 trainees at Summit Polymers in Mt. Sterling; 517 workers at Bluegrass Training Consortium in Georgetown; 502 trainees at Faurecia Automotive Seating in Simpsonville; 356 workers at Kentucky Alliance Training Consortium in Georgetown; 219 trainees at Heritage Millworks, doing business as Powell Valley Millwork, in Clay City; 105 workers at Florida Tile in Lexington; 60 trainees at Nationwide Uniform Corp. in Hodgenville; 50 workers at Bodycote Surface Technology in Hebron; 40 trainees at WPT Corp., dba WPT Nonwovens, in Beaver Dam; 38 workers at State Industries in Florence; 30 trainees at Progress Rail Services Corp. in Corbin; 28 workers at Comefri USA in Hopkinsville; 25 trainees at Prudent Holdings USA in Lexington and 16 workers at Benda-Lutz in Independence.
Building on that momentum, the BSSC board approved more than $1.7 million in training funds and credits for over 4,000 trainees across 26 Kentucky facilities during the first of four fiscal year 2025 meetings on Aug. 7.
Gov. Beshear previously announced over $10 million for 115 applicants throughout the state to train nearly 35,000 workers for fiscal year 2023. The state also provided over $8.4 million in funds and credits during fiscal year 2022. Those funds assisted with workforce training for more than 35,400 Kentucky employees.
Employers across the state benefit from BSSC’s Grant-in-Aid (GIA) and Skills Training Investment Credit (STIC) programs. GIA provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses, while STIC offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs. Applications for both programs are accepted and considered for approval by the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Board of Directors.
Types of operations that could qualify for BSSC incentives include manufacturing, agribusiness, nonretail service or technology, headquarters operations, state-licensed hospital operations, coal severing and processing, alternative fuel, gasification, renewable energy production or carbon dioxide transmission pipelines.
For more information on the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. or to apply for workforce training assistance, visit ced.ky.gov/BSSC.
Kentucky’s investment in workforce development 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 $33 billion in announced investments, creating nearly 56,000 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.
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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Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear provided an update on economic development, medical cannabis, funding from the Delta Regional Authority, Veterans Day, funding awards to support communities recovering from flooding, kynect open enrollment, submissions for the Team Kentucky Gallery, funding for local bridge repair and replacement, and the new Norton West Louisville Hospital. The Governor named poll workers who volunteered during the election as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted continued investment in the commonwealth’s mission of developing, maintaining and retaining its world-class workforce as over 8,775 Kentuckians will receive skills training thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp., which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development that help private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.
The Governor also highlighted a recent announcement that could mean additional energy-related investment and job creation in Kentucky, as the U.S. Department of Energy announced $428 million dollars in funding for 14 projects to support domestic clean energy manufacturing in coal communities throughout the country.
One of the projects is from Anthro Energy, a San Jose, California-based business that is considering a new location in Louisville. The project was selected for a nearly $25 million grant to establish the first large-scale, U.S.-owned and operated advanced electrolyte production facility. The project could bring around 115 high-quality jobs to the commonwealth.
Medical Cannabis
The Governor provided an update on medical cannabis in the commonwealth following this week’s election. Part of the new system for medical cannabis allowed local governments to make decisions about whether to let medical cannabis businesses operate within their jurisdictions or let voters decide. Twenty-one county governments made the decision to opt out – meaning not to allow medical cannabis businesses – while 39 made the decision to directly authorize these businesses. Fifty-three county governments opted to let voters decide. For cities, 53 opted out or were opted out by action of their counties and 184 decided to stay in.
The Governor announced that all 106 cities and counties that had medical cannabis on the ballot voted to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate in their communities.
“This signals what we have known for a long time, which is that the jury is no longer out on medical cannabis,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentuckians want their families, friends and neighbors who have serious medical conditions – like cancer, multiple sclerosis or PTSD – to have safe and affordable access. We are keeping our promise to make sure they will.”
Delta Regional Authority Funding
Gov. Beshear recapped his October announcement that the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is investing $1,969,000 in six projects in Western Kentucky. The funding comes from the DRA’s States’ Economic Development Assistance Program.
The Governor highlighted two of the projects:
- $509,000 for the Murray-Calloway Industrial Authority to building a training center to support people in areas impacted by the tornadoes, helping them land jobs in skilled trades.
- $150,000 to the Henderson County Riverport to replace aging equipment.
Veterans Day
As Veterans Day approaches, Gov. Beshear gave an update on the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA), which currently serves 40,000 veterans, distributing $48 million in benefits each month. The department also has a total of 77,000 veterans receiving $1.4 billion in compensation and pensions each year. In fiscal year 2025 alone, the department has issued 421 tuition waivers to spouses and dependents totaling over $13 million dollars in college education scholarships.
The Governor also provided an update on the new Robert E. Spiller Veterans Center in Warren County. The new center is nearly complete and is set to open in January 2025. KDVA is expecting to start admitting veterans to the facility in March or April.
“As we approach Veterans Day, it is so important that we take this time to honor our veterans,” said Gov. Beshear. “But we must also commit to the hard work of being worthy of their sacrifices all year long. Our veterans are the best of us. Time after time, they have answered the call to protect this country. Our work is not done; we will continue to fight for opportunities, prosperity and success for our veterans.”
Flood Recovery Funding
The Governor announced a new award from the East Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies fund. The Perry County School District will receive $5,609,571 to help cover additional expenses caused by the 2022 floods, as the district works to rebuild Buckhorn School and Robinson Elementary.
Health Coverage Open Enrollment
First Lady Britainy Beshear reminded Kentuckians seeking quality, affordable health coverage through the state-based marketplace, kynect, that enrollment is now open. The deadline to enroll is Jan. 15. If you need assistance, or if you are ready to enroll, please go to kynect.ky.gov or call 855-459-6328.
Team Kentucky Gallery Submissions
The First Lady encouraged Kentucky artists to submit their pieces for inclusion in the spring 2025 exhibition of the Team Kentucky Gallery. The exhibit is located in a main hall of the state Capitol in Frankfort. Submissions are due by Friday, Dec. 13. For more information and how to apply, see the full release.
“In each Team Kentucky Gallery exhibition, we see amazing new perspectives on what brings Kentuckians together, from the natural beauty of our state to our shared values and our resilience,” the First Lady said. “We can’t wait to see the next set of artworks and photographs that will make us even more proud to call Kentucky home.”
County-City Bridge Improvement Program
Gov. Beshear gave an update on the new County-City Bridge Improvement Program, which he recommended establishing, and the 2024 General Assembly supported. This program will dedicate $25 million each year, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, to address bridges that are closed or have posted traffic limitations.
The Governor encouraged cities and counties across the commonwealth to apply. The Phase 1 funding deadline for fiscal year 2025 is Dec. 13. Applications for Phase 2 funding will begin Dec. 16 and conclude at the end of February. And a third round will take place March through May. For more information, visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid website, or contact your local highway district.
Norton West Louisville Hospital
The Governor said that on Nov. 11, Norton West Louisville Hospital will open its doors to the public – the first new hospital in West Louisville in more than 150 years. This new facility will employ more than 350 people and provide regional health care access to Kentuckians. On Nov. 8, the Governor will join hospital leaders for a ribbon cutting. See a video highlighting the excitement surrounding the project and the Kentuckians who are making it happen.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named poll workers who volunteered during the election as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
“Let’s all give a big thank you to our poll workers throughout the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “These folks are heroes of democracy, volunteering their time to help provide a free and fair election for us all.”
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