"To view the Governor’s Team Kentucky Update, ""click here" [ [link removed] ]"."

Kentucky State Seal

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR








*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*




*Contact:  *

 

*Scottie Ellis
502-401-6933*
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>






Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
 

*FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2025)* – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, Wildfire Defense Grants, medical cannabis, and funding for Kentuckians impacted by flooding. First Lady Britainy Beshear joined the Governor to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Governor named Kierstin Carroll, a hero at the commonwealth’s statewide addiction call center, this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. 

*Economic Development* 
Last week, Gov. Beshear joined [ [link removed] ] leaders of Kingspan Group PLC, parent company of Tate, at the company’s Ireland headquarters, where company executives confirmed plans to locate Tate’s largest North American facility in Glasgow. The $61.2 million project represents the largest job-creation announcement in Barren County in 18 years and will create 400 new full-time manufacturing jobs once the 764,000-square-foot facility is fully operational. 

Also last week, Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to Gov. Beshear, joined [ [link removed] ] local officials and leadership at Alltech to break ground on the company’s recently announced expansion in Jessamine County, a nearly $4.6 million investment that will create six new jobs. The expansion is partially funded by a $2.34 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fertilizer Production Expansion Program. 

This week, Adkins joined [ [link removed] ] local officials and leadership at Process Machinery Inc. to break ground on the company’s nearly $11.5 million expansion in Shelbyville, a project that is creating 30 new well-paying jobs for Kentuckians.  

The Governor announced [ [link removed] ] continued momentum within the state’s booming economy as Inked Brands, a rapidly growing diversified consumer products company, will relocate and expand in Bowling Green with a $10.7 million investment, creating 20 new Kentucky jobs. 

Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] an economic development project in Coal Run as Weddington Plaza Partners LLC plans to invest nearly $6 million to restore and renovate the Weddington Shopping Center, which sustained heavy damage earlier this year in the flooding in Pike County. The project will help retain up to 300 Kentucky jobs. 

Finally, the Governor highlighted [ [link removed] ] yet another strong national recognition for the commonwealth’s economic growth and future preparedness as Kentucky placed 8th in Site Selection magazine’s 2025 Global Groundwork Index, which is based on capital investment and jobs announcements paired with infrastructure funding data. 

*Wildfire Defense Grants* 
Gov. Beshear announced more than $922,000 to help Kentucky communities guard against wildfires. The funding comes from the USDA Forest Service as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program. Each community receiving funding will create a Wildfire Protection Plan to reduce the risk of wildfires. Awards include: 


* $250,000 to Knox County. Mike Taylor, Knox County Emergency Management Director, accepted the award. 
* $237,000 to Lewis County. Lewis County Emergency Management Director Dennis Brown and Buffalo Trace Area Development District Community Development Specialist Sierra O’Cull accepted the award. 
* $235,000 to Powell County. Powell County Judge/Executive Eddie Barnes accepted the award. 
* $200,000 to the Gateway Area Development District. GADD Executive Director Joshua Farrow and Mount Sterling Mayor Al Botts accepted the award. 

*Medical Cannabis* 
The Governor reported that Team Kentucky has approved more than 15,000 medical cannabis cards for Kentuckians with qualifying conditions. Additionally, there are now over 500 authorized, registered medical cannabis practitioners in the commonwealth. That number is set to grow as more health-care providers complete training. 

The Governor also shared an update on the commonwealth’s medical cannabis businesses. Approved cultivators are preparing for their first harvests. Safety compliance facilities are ready to begin testing as product becomes available. The first dispensary, TreeSoft – doing business as The Post in Ohio County – has been approved to open. Finally, the first processor, Bison Infused, is scheduled for an inspection on Oct. 29. That will complete the program’s full process cycle, from cultivation to dispensary. 

“Each day, we’re getting closer to delivering on our promise of safe medical cannabis for Kentuckians in need – and I’m proud of the progress we’re making,” said Gov. Beshear. 

*Funding for Kentuckians Impacted by Flooding* 
Last week, the Governor announced [ [link removed] ] that Team Kentucky has secured over $118.2 million for six counties to buy out properties from willing and voluntary Kentuckians in flood-prone areas. Local officials estimate these funds will benefit over 600 homeowners, helping them relocate to safer residences out of the floodplain. 

$106.7 million is federal funding through the USDA. $11.4 million is state funding through the Local Match Participation Program [ [link removed] ]. These funds are in response to flooding in Kentucky earlier this year, and since 2022. 

*Domestic Violence Awareness Month* 
The First Lady reminded Kentuckians that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the commonwealth.  

“Getting support after facing domestic violence isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength,” said Mrs. Beshear. “Organizations like ZeroV, and each of our regional domestic violence shelters, are there for survivors as they begin to heal and move forward. Andy and I are committed to doing our part, to lead with love and to end violence in our communities.”  

The First Lady highlighted resources available to Kentuckians, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline [ [link removed] ] and ZeroV. [ [link removed] ] 

*No Trick-or-Treating at the Governor’s Mansion* 
The Governor shared that, unfortunately, due to construction around the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion – and the safety concerns associated with the construction – the Beshears will not be able to host trick-or-treating this year. The Governor shared his hope that a solution and safe space will be found by next year to bring the Frankfort community together on Halloween. 

*Team Kentucky All-Star* 
The Governor named Kierstin Carroll, a team member of the commonwealth’s statewide addiction call center, as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. Recently, a Kentuckian called the KY HELP Call Center seeking addiction treatment and Carroll answered. Carroll stayed on with the caller for nine hours, promising that she wouldn’t give up until she found an available treatment facility and the caller was safe – which she did.  

“The KY HELP Call Center is such a vital resource in Kentucky’s fight against addiction. It connects Kentuckians immediately with available treatment options,” said Gov. Beshear. “Because of Kierstin, one more Kentuckian is on the path to building a better, healthier life. Her compassion and determination remind all of us of what real support looks like on the road to recovery.” 

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357). 

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