Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 10, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, a decrease in the property tax rate, funding awards to support communities recovering from severe weather, severe weather recovery, driver licensing, declining highway fatalities, the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs virtual job fair and the upcoming renovation of the State Capitol. Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, joined the Governor to provide an update on the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative. Ahead of her birthday tomorrow, the Governor named First Lady Britainy Beshear as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Economic Development
The Governor highlighted further manufacturing growth in Kentucky as Powell Valley Millwork announced a $29.6 million investment across two projects in Powell and Montgomery counties. The company will retain a total of 214 jobs and create 33 new ones.
Gov. Beshear emphasized further investment in the commonwealth’s manufacturing sector as Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems announced a $17 million expansion of its Simpson County facility that will create 76 new full-time jobs.
ValorFlex Packaging President and CEO Thomas Hazlette joined the news conference to talk about the company’s transformative $23.4 million investment in Bowling Green, which will create 82 quality Kentucky jobs and was announced during a previous Team Kentucky Update.
Gov. Beshear announced further investment in Kentucky’s build-ready, job-ready site development efforts as Boyle, Hopkins, Laurel, Montgomery, Pulaski and Taylor counties were approved for over $7 million in state funding to spur future investment and job creation.
Gov. Beshear announced that eight innovative Kentucky companies will receive $750,000 in state matching grants to support high-paying jobs and further grow the state’s technology sector.
Property Tax Rate Drops for Fifth Consecutive Year
Gov. Beshear shared that the state real property tax rate is being lowered, dropping from 10.9 cents to 10.6 cents per $100 assessed value. This is the fifth consecutive year the state property tax rate has decreased.
“Right now, the federal government wants you to think that the only way to lower taxes is to leave the most vulnerable behind. But we’ve proven the opposite,” Gov. Beshear said. “We’ve lowered taxes and also expanded health care, invested in schools and students and celebrated the largest budget surpluses in our history. We will always put our people first and politics last.”
Our Healthy Kentucky Home
Dr. Stack provided an update on Our Healthy Kentucky Home, a one-year initiative to promote simple, positive and attainable goals to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. For July, the initiative is highlighting addiction, and Dr. Stack encouraged Kentuckians to maintain a strong social support system and have serious conversations with friends and family members about addiction. Dr. Stack also highlighted resources like the searchable website to help people in recovery find housing – FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org – and the website to help Kentuckians access life-saving naloxone, which is used to reverse opioid overdose – FindNaloxoneNowKY.org.
$10 Million in SAFE Fund Awards
The Governor announced the next seven awards from the State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) 4860 fund to assist communities impacted by February’s severe storms and floods, declared as FEMA Disaster 4860. The Governor signed legislation in March to create this new SAFE fund and announced the first 14 awards in May, totaling more than $25 million.
Awards announced today total more than $10 million and assist with financial strains caused by the natural disaster. Click here to see the full list of awards.
In 2022, the Governor worked with legislators to establish the West Kentucky and East Kentucky SAFE funds to respond to devastating tornadoes in the west and floods in the east. Today, he also announced a $130,492 financial assistance award for Caldwell County from the West Kentucky SAFE fund.
$14 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards
Gov. Beshear announced more than $14.4 million to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in four communities across Eastern Kentucky impacted by the 2022 floods. The City of Beattyville in Lee County, the City of Fleming-Neon in Letcher County, the City of Booneville in Owsley County and the Knott County Fiscal Court will each receive funding. For a full list of awards, see the full release.
Severe Weather Recovery
Gov. Beshear provided an update on severe weather recovery in the commonwealth. For the May 16-17 severe weather and tornadoes: Click here for a list of Disaster Recovery Centers open to those affected and click here for a fact sheet on how to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. Since the commonwealth received approval, FEMA has disbursed over $2.2 million in assistance. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is July 23, 2025.
For the May event, 25 households are being housed in travel trailers at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, eight households are being sheltered in hotels and 52 households have transitioned out of the Commonwealth Sheltering Program. The contractor hired by Laurel County has collected more than 41,518 cubic yards of debris for disposal.
For February’s severe weather, more than $52 million in Individual and Households Assistance has been disbursed. The deadline to apply was May 25, 2025. For the April floods, so far, more than $26 million in federal assistance has been disbursed. The deadline to apply has been extended to July 25, 2025. Click here to view the hours and locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers for both February’s and April’s floods.
Kentucky State Parks is sheltering 111 people at four state parks related to February’s and April’s floods. Jenny Wiley campground is sheltering 166 people, occupying 59 travel trailers.
Last week, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that they have approved more than $12.6 million in federal disaster loans to support Kentucky businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters affected by severe weather occurring from April 2 to May 16, 2025. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 25, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 26, 2026. Click here to learn how to apply.
Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians and anyone else who would like to help that the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund is open for monetary donations. To donate, click here. So far, the fund has raised more than $2.3 million in donations from 7,237 donors.
Driver Licensing
The Governor provided an update on steps his administration has taken to meet increased demand at Driver Licensing Regional Offices. The Governor announced that Team Kentucky has hired 125 new contracted full-time team members at these offices. These new staff members will assist with license renewal needs, REAL ID applicants and processing permits for 15-year-olds. Team Kentucky has also implemented a new line management system, held popup events in counties without a Driver Licensing Regional Office and made efforts to recruit even more employees.
The Governor noted that these changes are already making a difference. Kentucky Driver Licensing Regional Offices issued more credentials in April and May than ever before, with May setting a new record of 130,152 total issuances. This represents a 23% increase in the average monthly credentials issued. Additionally, since legislation went into effect under an emergency provision on April 1, more than 17,000 15-year-olds have successfully passed the written test and obtained their driving permit.
Gov. Beshear also reminded Kentuckians that there are ways they can skip the line when renewing their driver’s license. Take the quiz to see if you qualify to renew online or by mail.
Declining Highway Fatalities
Gov. Beshear announced that, compared to the same time last year, Kentucky has seen a 23% decrease in highway fatalities in 2025, as of July 2. The commonwealth has also seen a 13% reduction in injuries related to highway crashes. So far, 275 Kentuckians have been lost to crashes on Kentucky highways and 1,174 highway injuries have been reported in 2025.
“These trends are very encouraging,” said Gov. Beshear. “This shows that Team Kentucky’s commitment and innovative strategies to make our roadways safer are paying off. We’re going to keep pushing until that number is zero, because we know even one life lost to a highway crash in Kentucky is too many.”
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Virtual Job Fair
The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to participate in the virtual job fair hosted by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, which takes place the third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The next job fair is Wednesday, July 16. The first hour is dedicated to veterans and military families, then beginning at 11 a.m., the job fair is open to everyone. The event is free for employers and job seekers. Over 80 employers have participated in these fairs so far. For interested job seekers, click here. For interested employers, click here.
State Capitol To Be Fully Renovated for First Time in More Than 70 Years
Donna Farmer, an architect and statewide project manager on Team Kentucky, joined the Governor to update Kentuckians on the State Capitol’s first full renovation in more than 70 years. Farmer said the Kentucky General Assembly has appropriated $291.5 million for this project. The last major renovation of the facility occurred between 1952 and 1955.
The renovation team will:
- upgrade infrastructure;
- add new safety features, like automatic sprinklers and fire rated egress stairs;
- make the building more accessible for those with disabilities;
- improve security;
- enhance spaces for visitors and staff; and
- complete numerous maintenance projects that have been deferred over the past 50 years.
“The project will help preserve this historic and beautiful landmark, so that Kentuckians and visitors can enjoy it for generations to come and continue working together here to build a better commonwealth,” Farmer said.
State officials expect the Capitol building to close by the end of August 2025 and to reopen in 2029. However, the project timeline may change if additional needs are discovered. State offices currently housed in the Capitol will temporarily relocate to alternative offices in Frankfort.
To ensure safety, parts of the Capitol Grounds will be closed to visitors during the renovation period. However, many areas will remain open, including the Floral Clock, the flower beds and green space on Capital Avenue, the COVID-19 Memorial and the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. Designated pedestrian and driving paths will also be added.
Team Kentucky All-Star
Ahead of her birthday tomorrow, the Governor named Britainy Beshear as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
“Anyone who has met our First Lady knows that she spreads kindness everywhere she goes,” said Gov. Beshear. “She’s an amazing mom, and that doesn’t just mean watching out for our kids, it means watching out for all Kentucky kids. The best choice I’ve ever made is choosing to spend my life with Britainy, because she makes every day brighter. Happy early Birthday.”
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Gov. Beshear Announces $14.4 Million To Improve Infrastructure Damaged in 2022 Floods
Funds will go to four communities in Eastern Kentucky
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 10, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $14.4 million to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in four communities across Eastern Kentucky impacted by the 2022 floods. The cities of Beattyville in Lee County, Fleming-Neon in Letcher County and Booneville in Owsley County along with the Knott County Fiscal Court will each receive funding.
“I made a promise to be there for our Eastern Kentucky communities as we rebuild and recover,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we approach the three-year anniversary of those floods, I’m proud that we’re continuing to show up and build a future that is brighter than our past.”
City of Beattyville
The city of Beattyville was awarded over $2.3 million to help rehabilitate the city’s existing wastewater treatment plant, which suffered damage during the 2022 floods. The plant serves over 500 homes as well as two correctional facilities.
“I'd like to thank Gov. Andy Beshear and the state for all the things they have done for Beattyville so far,” said the mayor of Beattyville, Scott Jackson. “We have received a DLG Grant for $2.3 million for our wastewater treatment plant. It will also help with the local prison.”
The new equipment will be more resilient to future flooding by reducing the amount of mud, silt and debris from entering the plant.
City of Fleming-Neon
More than $5.7 million in funding will go to the city of Fleming-Neon to help replace six water storage tanks throughout the city’s distribution system. Replacing the damaged tanks will help the city continue to provide over 900 homes reliable and safe water.
City of Booneville
The city of Booneville will receive more than $1 million to help improve the city’s sewage system by eliminating two river crossings. The system was damaged during the 2022 floods, stemming in part from increased water pressure at the river crossings. This project will improve the efficiency of the collection system that serves over 200 Kentuckians.
“We want to thank Gov. Beshear, the Department for Local Government, and our Kentucky River Area Development District for working with the city and securing funding for this sewer line redirect project,” said Mayor Nelson Bobrowski. “This project will remove the sewer line from the riverbed in not just one location, but two locations, completely out of the river while reducing our risk of it being damaged and causing severe pollution. This project will save the city $1,000 a month in electric costs.”
Knott County Fiscal Court
Over $5.3 million was awarded to the Knott County Fiscal Court to help build a new wastewater treatment plant in the community of Caney. The 2022 floods severely damaged the existing treatment plant. The new plant will be out of the floodplain and will ensure service to the communities of Caney and Mallie, as well as Alice Lloyd Community College.
“In an area deeply affected by the decline of coal mining jobs, this project opens doors for future growth, supporting potential expansion of the college,” said Knott County Judge/Executive Jeff Dobson. “It improves infrastructure for housing and economic development. Alice Lloyd College has been a strong supporter of this effort, and we are excited for what this means for our community and its future.”
The funding is made available through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program.
Helping Storm Survivors
Gov. Andy Beshear established the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to assist those impacted by severe weather systems beginning in 2025. To donate, click here.
Housing Can’t Wait Resource
Gov. Beshear is encouraging survivors of the 2021, 2022 or 2025 floods who are seeking housing support to visit HousingCantWait.org and fill out an interest form. Once complete, applicants will hear from a Fahe team member on next steps and support through the process.
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Gov. Beshear: 8 Kentucky Companies Awarded
Nearly $750,000 To Continue Technology Development
in the Commonwealth
SBIR/STTR program to support tech startups, high-wage job growth
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 10, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that eight innovative Kentucky companies will receive $750,000 in state matching grants to support high-paying jobs and to further grow the state’s technology sector.
The grants are part of the commonwealth’s nationally recognized Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) matching funds program. The funds will match, in part, $6.4 million in federal grants the businesses will collectively receive.
“Creating a business-friendly environment that allows for startup technology companies to thrive is a key step in making Kentucky a hub for innovation and high-wage job opportunities,” said Gov. Beshear. “These companies are tackling today’s problems with tomorrow’s solutions, helping to make our New Kentucky Home – and the world – a better place. Congratulations to these businesses on this funding, which I know will support all the great work being done across our commonwealth.”
The eight Kentucky-based businesses awarded matching funds are using technology to advance multiple fields, from cancer therapy and postpartum recovery to battery technology and health care screening improvements. Recipient companies include:
B.A. Maze, Inc. (Louisville)
At-Home Health Station (AHS) systems by B.A. Maze Inc. provides a technology platform that organizes health monitoring tools, enables prompted health information and has secure data for streamlined patient-caregiver care and communication. The AHS will be developed via implementation feedback from individuals living with cognitive impairment/Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, ensuring the design is appropriate to the specific needs of this population.
BumptUp Labs Inc. (Bowling Green)
The BumptUp Labs project focuses on improving maternal and infant health through a digital platform to make key lifestyle modifications. The overarching goal of BumptUp is to become a sustainable platform for safe, effective, inclusive and evidence-based physical activity guidance to all pregnant and postpartum women.
Caza Innovations LLC (Bowling Green)
The Caza Innovations project will develop a portable optical light source and power meter capable of simultaneously measuring the power in optical fiber at multiple discrete wavelengths. The developed portable test instrument will support installation, testing, operations and growth of optical systems for terrestrial and mobile optical communication markets.
Creosalus Inc. (Louisville)
The devastating outcomes for glioblastoma (GBM) patients remain despite the advances in cancer therapy. Improved GBM therapy as a critical unmet need requires new GBM intervention capabilities as proposed with this Creosalus project. The premise of this project is that one of the challenges to improving GBM patient lives can be overcome by increased therapeutic coverage of GBM tumors using an innovative convection enhanced delivery catheter.
HeXalayer LLC (Jeffersontown)
HeXalayer is developing an advanced manufacturing process for their proprietary graphene material, which is utilized in the development of ultralight and safe lithium-ion batteries for the U.S. Department of Defense, as an additive to polymers, lubricants and other critical industrial applications. U.S.-based graphene manufacturing is important not only to national security but also for enabling the development of other cutting-edge technologies and products.
Lagrange Scientific LLC (Pewee Valley)
Lagrange Scientific is addressing a critical unmet need in kidney cancer by developing a novel laboratory-developed test to predict metastasis risk at the time of primary tumor resection, years before the standard of oncological care is able to identify and treat the spread of the cancer.
PGXL Technologies LLC (Louisville)
PGXL Technologies and the University of Louisville Research Foundation are developing a rapid, simple-to-use and cost-effective urine collection kit for detection of obstructive sleep apnea in children, which will support diagnosis, patient monitoring and screening. Common tests are reliable but limited by high cost and require an overnight sleep study at a clinic, making a simple non-invasive urine test beneficial and commercially attractive.
Space Tango LLC (Lexington)
The TangoBox is an evolution of Space Tango capabilities that is optimized for automated space manufacturing and research. In this project, Space Tango is proposing a new multi-use R&D and manufacturing infrastructure to vastly increase the throughput of the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial platforms such as commercial ISS modules and commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) destinations for manufacturing purposes. This capability will benefit commercial operators and users in LEO as well as NASA for its forecast of needs for services in LEO after ISS is retired.
Kentucky’s SBIR/STTR program, overseen by KY Innovation, provides critical non-dilutive capital for promising early-stage tech companies by matching all or part of federal SBIR/STTR awards received by Kentucky-based businesses or companies committed to relocating to the state.
“The Kentucky SBIR matching fund program and its dedicated team have played a pivotal role in accelerating HeXalayer's growth and establishing cutting-edge R&D capabilities for our advanced graphene Li-ion battery technology right here in Kentucky,” said Harut Vardanyan, CEO & co-founder of HeXalayer. “Thanks to this invaluable support, we’ve been able to streamline our product development cycle and strengthen our intellectual property portfolio by building world-class, in-house capabilities at our Louisville facility. These advancements are essential to our mission of delivering next-generation, U.S.-based battery technologies that support the critical needs of the Department of Defense.”
To date, Kentucky SBIR/STTR-awarded companies have leveraged the state’s matching program to receive $7.4 in federal or private capital for every $1 in state funds. These businesses also have created more than 773 well-paying jobs, 90% of which have annual salaries over $50,000. Match recipients have 240 patents and generated more than $129.6 million in sales and licensing revenue. Kentucky has made 345 match awards to 157 unique companies since the program’s inception, leveraging $173.17 million in federal funding coming into the state.
“This was another highly competitive SBIR/STTR matching funds round made up of exceptional startups developing a wide array of promising technologies,” said David Brock, executive director of KY Innovation. “Kentucky’s matching funds program was a national bellwether for technology-based economic development when it launched and remains one of the most powerful initiatives anywhere in the United States for fueling early-stage, high-tech companies. We commend the awardees, as well as all of the other applicants, and look forward to the impact they will make on Kentucky’s economy of the future.”
More information on Kentucky’s SBIR/STTR matching funds program and awarded companies awarded is available at kyinnovation.com/sbir.
The SBIR/STTR-awarded companies investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $36 billion in announced investments, creating more than 62,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $15 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.
Earlier this year, 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. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 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 NewKentuckyHome.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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