Gov. Beshear: Individual Assistance Issued in
24 Additional Counties for Kentuckians Affected
by Widespread Flooding in April
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Trump administration has approved his April 28 and May 5 requests to add Individual Assistance for 24 more counties affected by the widespread flooding that took place last month. The number of counties approved for Individual Assistance is currently 37.
Individual Assistance has now been approved for Breckenridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Daviess, Garrard, Grayson, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, LaRue, Lincoln, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Pendleton, Powell, Trimble, Warren and Webster counties in addition to those of Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford, which were approved April 25. Assistance for more counties may be requested through an amendment if assessments warrant.
“Great news – 24 more counties have been approved for Individual Assistance by FEMA following the April severe weather,” said Gov. Beshear. “This process takes time, and we will continue to request more counties be added until everyone affected receives the support they need and deserve.”
The Governor thanked President Trump, Office of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and everyone at the federal level who helped acquire this additional help for Kentuckians.
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
- You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Your damaged home is your primary residence.
- You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.
- You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
As the rains began that eventually led to widespread flooding, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency, activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather. The price gouging prohibition was renewed April 17.
Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.
How To Help: The Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund was established after the severe weather in February and will serve survivors of that and additional natural disasters. As with previous relief funds, these dollars will first help pay for victims’ funeral expenses. To donate, click here.
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Gov. Beshear: State Programs Provide Workforce Training and Development for Over 11,700 Kentuckians
Bluegrass State Skills Corp. approved training funds
for over 30,000 Kentucky workers during fiscal year 2025
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted new investment in Kentucky’s workforce development initiatives to further maintain and advance the commonwealth’s thriving economy.
Over 11,700 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.
“One of Kentucky’s greatest strengths is our hard-working, talented and diverse workforce, and we must continue to provide the resources needed for our workers to develop and grow,” said Gov. Beshear. “The commonwealth’s economy continues to thrive, and to keep that momentum going, we need to connect Kentucky employees with skills training opportunities. We are committed to building a better Kentucky, and programs like BSSC are helping us reach that goal.”
This month’s approvals included workforce training support for over 10,000 employees at Ford Motor Co.’s Fern Valley Road and Chamberlain Lane locations in Louisville. Other approvals include 273 trainees for Highlands Diversified Services in London, 269 employees at Steel Technologies in Louisville, 209 workers at F&E Aircraft Maintenance in Erlanger and 121 trainees at Amneal Pharmaceuticals in Glasgow, among others.
The most recent BSSC meeting concludes fiscal year 2025, where in total, the BSSC board approved more than $9.5 million in training funds and credits for over 30,600 trainees across 115 Kentucky facilities.
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.
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 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 60,500 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, among others.
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.
Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Last 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 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.
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Gov. Beshear: State Secures New Job Growth Records
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said the commonwealth has once again secured a new job growth record. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in April, the number of people employed, the number of filled jobs and the civilian labor force in Kentucky were at their highest point in the state’s history.
“More than ever before, we are getting people to work and filling more jobs,” Gov. Beshear said. “This is great news for our families, and it’s very appealing to companies looking to invest in the commonwealth.”
April’s report confirms that Kentucky reached new highs for each of these three-monthly metrics:
- The number of people employed in April increased to 2,009,018.
- Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,118,333 in April 2025.
- The number of filled jobs increased to 2,052,400.
Earlier this month, the Governor provided an update on Kentucky’s labor market and reported that not only have labor force numbers fully rebounded from the pandemic, but they are at their highest levels since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics started keeping record.
April’s labor report, issued today, broke March’s record. The number of people employed in April increased by 2,550 from March 2025. Kentucky’s civilian labor force increased by 752 individuals from March 2025. And the number of filled jobs increased by 400 from March 2025. Estimates are preliminary and are subject to monthly and annual revisions.
Earlier today, the Governor highlighted new investment in Kentucky’s workforce development initiatives to further maintain and advance the commonwealth’s thriving economy. Over 11,700 Kentuckians will receive skills training thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. that helps private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.
Kentucky’s investment in workforce development 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 60,500 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.
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Gov. Beshear Joins Zoetis for Ribbon Cutting of New Laboratory at Louisville’s UPS Healthcare Labport
New facility will help company meet increasing demand
for their animal care services
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 15, 2025) – This week, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leaders from Zoetis, a world leader in animal health services, for the ribbon cutting of the company’s new diagnostics reference laboratory at the UPS Healthcare Labport in Louisville.
“The commonwealth’s health care services industry has seen consistent growth in recent years, and that is a testament to our skilled, diverse workforce,” said Gov. Beshear. “This ribbon cutting is an exciting next step for Zoetis and Kentucky. I want to thank company leaders for their commitment to Louisville and look forward to their continued success.”
The new 32,000-square-foot lab is part of a broader vision to meet increasing demand for diagnostics and advance the company’s mission to improve care for animals. The operation will allow the company to improve access to comprehensive diagnostic testing, including cytology, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, histology and more – all from one central lab. The expansion allows Zoetis to serve more clinics with speed and scale and will be co-located at the UPS Healthcare Labport, adjacent to UPS Worldport – the world’s largest integrated logistics hubs. This end-of-runway location enables Zoetis to receive diagnostic specimens quickly and deliver timely results to clinics across the country. The new lab is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
“Our new Louisville lab is a state-of-the-art facility enabling faster, more accessible diagnostics results for our customers,” said Jamie Brannan, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Zoetis. “Thank you to our dedicated colleagues who advance care for animals each day, as well as our partners and local leaders who helped make this new reference lab possible.”
As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis Reference Laboratories provides complete clinical and anatomic pathology testing as well as endocrinology, microbiology, serology, hematology, chemistry and other advanced tests to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. Since 2019, Zoetis has integrated several leading reference lab providers – including Ethos Diagnostic Science, Phoenix Lab and ZNLabs – into a unified diagnostics portfolio. Louisville has since emerged as a cornerstone of Zoetis’ U.S. reference lab network.
UPS Healthcare Labport is revolutionizing the health care industry by providing rapid processing and delivery of laboratory specimens in the U.S. The move-in ready lab space allows for quick and efficient turnaround times for diagnostic test results, reducing operating costs and allowing faster diagnosis and treatment for patients. The end-of-runway service connected to UPS Worldport leverages UPS’s premium logistics capabilities. UPS Healthcare Labport is combining a centralized commercial laboratory with its world-renowned logistics and transportation network to help accelerate patient care.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Zoetis Diagnostics to Louisville, joining a growing list of life science companies leveraging our city’s strengths as a global logistics hub and a leader in rapid turnaround lab services,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Thanks to the presence of UPS Worldport and Labport, Louisville continues to be at the forefront of growth and innovation in this field, attracting businesses that create high-wage jobs and reinforce our city's leadership in advanced diagnostics.”
Zoetis’ ribbon cutting 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 60,500 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, among others.
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.
Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Last 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 also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
For more information on Zoetis, visit zoetis.com.
A detailed community profile for Jefferson County can be viewed here.
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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