FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman to provide this week’s Team Kentucky update, where they discussed Kentucky’s latest advancements in agritech and job growth and provided updates on the Cleaner Water Program and the Commonwealth Sheltering Program.
Beshear also reiterated that Kentuckians will not see an increase in their vehicle property tax for the next two years due to an executive order he signed yesterday. He added that he is working with House Democratic Caucus Whip Angie Hatton of Whitesburg to provide more relief from inflation by supporting a temporary 1% state sales tax cut over the next fiscal year. The move would save Kentuckians more than 16% on many goods and services, including on purchases at retailers, restaurants and items at grocery stores as well as building and hardware materials and clothing.
“Under these proposals, Kentuckians will see tax relief of approximately $1.2 billion, of which $873 million is directly related to sales tax savings, and $340 million is from the reduction in vehicle property taxes,” Beshear said. “Right now, we can keep our economy moving, make historic investments in education, health care and the jobs of the future, all while we provide our families and small businesses relief.”
Kentucky-Netherlands Agritech Collaboration Adds Nine Members
Beshear was joined by Dutch Consul General Bart Twaalfhoven to announce that the partnership between governments, universities and companies in Kentucky and the Netherlands has added nine new members. Joining the collaborative effort are the Kentucky Horticulture Council, Kentucky State University and Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, as well as Kentucky-based companies AppleAtcha and Kentucky Fresh Harvest and Dutch companies Arcadis, Delphy, HortiTech and Royal Brinkman.
Consul General Twaalfhoven said: “The commitment of renowned Dutch organizations like Wageningen University and strong Dutch companies like Arcadis, along with the entrepreneurial spirit of new Kentucky businesses like AppleAtcha and Kentucky Fresh Harvest, sends a clear signal to the rest of the United States and the world: Kentucky means business.”
To read the full release, click here.
200 New Quality Jobs Added by Quadrant in Louisville
As the commonwealth’s economic momentum and job growth continues to soar in 2022, Beshear thanked Louisville-based Quadrant for bringing an important industry to our state while building upon our rapidly growing presence of electric vehicle-related investments.
Since 2001, Quadrant has operated an engineering, machining and assembly hub in Louisville, and now the company is significantly growing its footprint in the area. A producer of rare-earth magnets used in EV motors and other applications, Quadrant is going to construct a 171,000-square-foot manufacturing facility near its existing Louisville operation.
It will be the company’s first mass-production facility in the U.S. and furthers its plans to establish a world-class magnetics, manufacturing and research campus in Kentucky. Quadrant will invest over $95 million and create 200 quality jobs with this new facility.
Quadrant President Michael Brand joined Beshear and Lt. Gov. Coleman and said, “This manufacturing center and this research center will further the position of Kentucky in the magnetics industry as a leader. One day – and this is the hope – when people mention Kentucky, they’re going to say, ‘That’s the state where they have bourbon, horse racing and the best college basketball in the country, but they also have the best magnetics hub anywhere.’”
To read the full release, click here.
Severe Storms Thursday
Beshear also warned Kentuckians to prepare for a strong storm system that is likely to bring widespread rain, gusty winds and possibly a few thunderstorms on Thursday. Widespread downpours with 1 to 2 inches of rain likely could result in a few instances of flooding. Strong winds with gusts of over 40 mph and isolated damaging winds above 60 mph are expected.
Commonwealth Sheltering Program
Lt. Gov. Coleman recently visited Mayfield to deliver travel trailer keys to five families who lost their homes in December’s tornadoes. Following the storm, the state purchased 200 travel trailers from various RV dealers across Kentucky to serve as medium-term housing solutions. Lt. Gov. Coleman reminded storm survivors to be eligible for continued sheltering they have to register with FEMA. To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. For more information on these travel trailers, see full release.
Cleaner Water Program
Lt. Gov. Coleman and Gov. Beshear announced $13.75 million in Cleaner Water Program funding within the last week.
“Investing in high-speed internet, clean water, roads and bridges helps build a solid foundation for tomorrow’s economy, today,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “These systems can make the difference for business leaders looking to invest in Kentucky and they also make a huge difference for our families.”
Funding included:
- $6 million in Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Fulton and Hickman counties. To learn more, see the full release.
- $2.5 million in Boyle, Mercer and Washington counties. To learn more, see the full release.
- $2.5 million in Rowan, Morgan, Menifee and Montgomery counties. To learn more, see the full release.
- $2.75 million in Estill, Garrard and Madison counties. To learn more, see the full release.
The Cleaner Water Program, as well as grants for high-speed internet expansion, school facility upgrades and vocational education center renovations, is part of Gov. Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan. More information can be found at governor.ky.gov/BetterKy.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
For today’s Team Kentucky All-Star, the Governor was excited to celebrate the folks at WoodSongs for their tornado relief efforts to bring 1,000 free instruments to tornado victims.
Many Western Kentucky families lost their instruments due to these devastating tornadoes. If you are one of those families, you can receive a free replacement instrument through WoodSongs on March 18 in Mayfield or March 19 in Dawson Springs or Owensboro while supplies last. No one will be turned away, but FEMA and Red Cross cardholders will be given priority. Those needing a replacement should email WFPA@woodsongs.com or visit the Woodsongs.com/tornado for more information.
“Thank you to all of those at WoodSongs for creating this program and helping our families recover,” Gov. Beshear said. “I know this will help make a difference. We are incredibly proud to have you as a member of Team Kentucky!”
