Gov. Beshear: Medical Cannabis Program Advances as Cultivator Begins Operations in Kentucky
Graves County medical cannabis business begins cultivation
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 15, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program has reached another milestone as Armory Kentucky LLC, a Tier II cultivator based in Mayfield, introduced the first medical cannabis inventory in Kentucky history. Cultivation at the Graves County site began on Friday, following approval of the facility inspection by the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.
“This administration made a commitment to Kentuckians suffering from cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis and other eligible conditions, and I am proud we are making progress to deliver safe, affordable access to medical cannabis,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Through work with the General Assembly to move up business licensing by six full months and providing licensees with the tools they need to get up and running, we are closer than ever to providing Kentuckians with life-changing relief.”
The beginning of cultivation at Armory Kentucky LLC marks a major milestone as the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis continues to make progress toward ensuring Kentuckians suffering with serious medical conditions have access to safe, tested medical cannabis products. Additional licensees, including processors and testing labs, are expected to begin operations in the coming weeks.
“We are pleased to see the progress that has been made,” said Cannon Armstrong, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis. “We look forward to working with all of our other licensees to get them up and operational as soon as possible.”
On Apr. 17, 2024, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law, which moved up the timeline for medical cannabis licensing in Kentucky by six months. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis began accepting applications from prospective businesses on July 1, 2024.
On March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 47, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
To date, Kentucky has licensed 81 businesses and registered over 400 medical cannabis practitioners. More than 17,000 Kentuckians have been issued a written certification, and over 11,000 have successfully applied for and received a medical cannabis card.
For more on Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program, visit kymedcan.ky.gov.
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Meridian Biotech To Create 35 High-Wage Jobs With $40 Million Facility To Repurpose Bourbon Distilled Byproducts in Frankfort
Company to partner with Buffalo Trace Distillery to transform distillery byproducts into alternative proteins
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 14, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced yet another innovative company will establish its New Kentucky Home, as Meridian Biotech will open a new facility in Franklin County. The project, part of a partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery to convert distillery byproducts into multifunctional alternative proteins, includes a $40 million investment and will create up to 35 high-tech, well-paying jobs.
“We are proud to welcome Meridian to Frankfort with this incredible investment that will create high-quality jobs, strengthen our economic future and continue to grow Kentucky’s iconic bourbon industry,” Gov. Beshear said. “It’s partnerships like these that prove we can honor tradition while embracing transformation and that Kentucky can be a leading force in the biotech industry.”
The new state-of-the-art Meridian facility will convert byproduct from the distilling process into proteins that can be used for aquaculture products, pet foods and organic fertilizer. Meridian will be the first biotech company to locate in Franklin County, with construction expected to begin later this year. Meridian also plans to work with Kentucky State University to offer internships and to collaborate with the school’s engineering department.
“By reimagining distillery stillage as a resource rather than a byproduct, we’re pioneering new pathways in biotechnology that have the potential to transform the spirits industry,” said Brandon Corace, president of Meridian Biotech. “Like Buffalo Trace, we are committed to making a long-term, positive economic impact on the community. We believe our technology will play a pivotal role in enhancing Buffalo Trace’s commitment to innovation, as well as setting a new standard for the spirits industry. We could not be more pleased with the close working relationship with Buffalo Trace, in addition to welcoming support from local and state officials.”
Founded in 2017, the Lexington-based company develops sustainable biotechnological innovations to overcome the food challenge faced by the growing global population. In 2021, Meridian was selected to present its innovative technology during the Distillers Grain Reverse Pitch Competition, which was hosted through a partnership between the Distillers Grains Technology Council, the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, Awesome Inc., the Energy and Environment Cabinet and KY Innovation, within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, with support from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American, family-owned company based in Frankfort. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775. It is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery, producing bourbon, rye and vodka.
Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller said the company aligns with the local leadership’s vision for the community: “We thank Meridian Biotech for their catalytic investment in Franklin County. Their commitment to sustainable and transformative technologies are a great match with our aspirations. Buffalo Trace Distillery continues to invest in being a model environmental steward and corporate citizen. These two companies together demonstrate how bright the future is. We also want to thank Team Kentucky for their assistance helping Meridian Biotech find a home in Franklin County.”
Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson noted the collaboration required to make the project possible: “We’re thrilled to welcome Meridian Biotech to Frankfort, the result of a strategic effort to attract investment in the growing biotech sector and another sign of our city’s economic momentum. Their groundbreaking approach to repurposing distillery byproducts complements Frankfort’s commitment to innovation, our deep bourbon heritage and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s dedication to excellence. Having spent time with Meridian’s leadership, I’m confident their presence will significantly boost our community and demonstrate to other innovative companies that Frankfort is the right place for business. We appreciate the Team Kentucky’s efforts in supporting this venture and look forward to Meridian’s continued growth and success.”
The collaboration between Meridian Biotech and Buffalo Trace 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 1,200 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.
For more information on Meridian Biotech, visit meridianbiotech.com. Learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery at buffalotracedistillery.com.
A detailed community profile for Franklin County can be viewed here.
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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Gov. Beshear: Trump Administration’s Move To Freeze Education Funding Hurts Kentucky Children
Governor joins 23 states and D.C. to challenge freeze,
ensure funding goes to kids
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 14, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear stated that he and leaders from 23 other states and the District of Columbia are challenging the Trump Administration over its unlawful decision to freeze $6.8 billion in education funding appropriated by Congress through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The funds were appropriated by Congress, and the freeze violates federal statutory and regulatory requirements.
“This is not about Democrat or Republican – these funds were appropriated by Congress for the education of Kentucky’s children, and it’s my job to ensure we get them,” said Gov. Beshear. “In Kentucky, $96 million in federal education funds are at risk. Our kids and our future depend on a strong education, and these funds are essential to making sure our kids succeed.”
Under federal law, the DOE provides funding to states to support programs that promote classroom learning, improve school conditions, support technology use, fund community learning centers and more. For Kentucky, and about $87 million was appropriated to the Kentucky Department of Education to distribute to local school districts, while $9 million was appropriated to the Education and Labor Cabinet for grant funding around adult literacy.
State plans are approved prior to the release of the funds, and in some cases, already expended, as these funds have been received for decades without incident. However, this year, on June 30, state agencies across the country received a notification announcing that the DOE would not be “obligating funds for” six formula funding programs on July 1.
Now, Kentucky and other states are scrambling due to a lack of sufficient funding for these commitments just weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
States that have joined the lawsuit with Kentucky include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.
A copy of the lawsuit is available here.
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