"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. (Dec. 11, 2025)* – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development; upcoming winter weather; the state budget; medical cannabis; Pre-K for All; funding for organizations supporting safer communities; the fourth anniversary of the Western Kentucky tornadoes and new homes for families impacted; and collections from food drives. The Governor named Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars in recognition of its annual Shop with a Trooper event in Elizabethtown. 

*Economic Development*
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling $44 billion in announced investments, creating 66,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $20 billion more than the next highest total.

On Monday, Gov. Beshear joined [ [link removed] ] local officials and leadership from Vsimple Inc., a leading AI company that specializes in improved operational inefficiencies for mid- to large-sized companies, as the company celebrated the ribbon cutting of its newly relocated headquarters from Southern Indiana to Louisville, a $5.1 million investment that will create 194 well-paying, Kentucky jobs.

The Governor highlighted [ [link removed] ] further growth of the state’s manufacturing industry as Glovesafe OpCo Inc., doing business as GLVUS, announced plans to locate its North American headquarters in Louisville, with a nearly $6 million investment, creating 200 new, Kentucky jobs.

Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] even more job creation within the state’s advanced manufacturing sector as Foxconn Technology USA Corp., the American subsidiary of Taiwan-listed Foxconn Technology Co. Ltd., will locate its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Louisville, with a $173 million investment that will create 180 new Kentucky jobs.

Tuesday, the Governor joined [ [link removed] ] local officials and leadership at Toyota Boshoku America to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new, state-of-the-art $225 million facility in Hopkinsville creating 157 full-time Kentucky jobs.

Gov. Beshear highlighted [ [link removed] ] continued growth in Kentucky’s distribution and logistics sector as Kroger, the largest traditional grocer in the United States, announced intentions to establish a new $391 million distribution center in Simpson County, a project that will create approximately 430 new full-time jobs for Kentuckians.

Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] a $2.1 million expansion project from RelaDyne, a lubricant distributor and market leader in fuel, diesel exhaust fluid and industrial reliability services. The project will create 80 new, well-paying jobs in Hebron.

Gov. Beshear highlighted [ [link removed] ] exciting new momentum within the state’s maritime transportation and logistics sectors as Hines Furlong Line announced plans to expand its current operation in McCracken County, a nearly $11 million investment that will add 50 new, well-paying Kentucky jobs.

Today, the Governor also addressed South Korean SK On’s ending its joint venture with Ford for their U.S. battery factories. Ford will be taking over all Kentucky operations, while SK On is taking over in Tennessee.

“Ford has been committed to Kentucky since the first Model T rolled off the line in Louisville –and that commitment to our state and our workforce remains strong. In fact, the company just this summer announced the third largest investment in state history at the Louisville Assembly Plant,” said Gov. Beshear. “The news is that Ford will be taking over all Kentucky operations, and we are in communication with leadership to understand this announcement and the direction the company intends to take. I remain optimistic on the future of these facilities.”

More information on the news is expected to be shared by Ford early next week.

*Upcoming Winter Weather*
The Governor updated Kentuckians on winter weather expected across the commonwealth. One-to-four inches of snow is expected Thursday night into Friday morning, with an additional one-to-three inches of snow expected Saturday evening. Roadways are expected to be impacted. As always, Kentuckians should visit snowky.ky.gov [ [link removed] ] for the latest on travel conditions.

Following the winter weather system, dangerously cold temperatures are moving into the region beginning Sunday and continuing through Monday. Wind chills will be below zero or near zero for most of the state. The Governor is activating the Emergency Operations Center so the Kentucky Emergency Management team will be ready to respond along with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Emergency teams are also working with local counties to open warming centers where needed. Team Kentucky will share this information as it becomes available. The Governor encouraged Kentuckians to be prepared.

“Make sure you’re staying informed through your local weather alerts and through social media. Have blankets, warm clothing, and have a plan to get to a warm place if your heat goes out,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you need to use a generator, keep it outdoors and have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. We will continue to update Kentuckians on social media about the latest alerts and where things stand. Let’s do what we can to keep each other safe.”

*Budget*
The Governor noted that the November General Fund receipts [ [link removed] ] rose 9.2% compared with the same month last year. Total revenues for November were over $1.3 million – an increase of $115.6 million from 2024. The Consensus Forecasting Group will meet Dec. 16. The Governor said that he will update Kentuckians on the budget shortfall and steps his administration will take to address it after that meeting.

“We’ve been working hard in Kentucky to make our economy strong, bring in good jobs and be responsible with Kentuckians’ hard-earned tax dollars,” said Gov. Beshear. “And we want to keep doing that – even as our nation faces challenges. So, we’re being intentional, thinking ahead, and doing what it takes to keep our economy strong for our families.”

*Medical Cannabis*
The Governor reported that The Post Dispensary in Ohio County will have a soft opening Dec. 13, starting at 10 a.m. CST and continuing until 6 p.m., or until supplies run out. This news makes The Post the first fully approved and licensed medical dispensary in the state. Product available was grown by Farmtucky, the first licensed cultivator to bring product to market.

“Our priority is ensuring Kentuckians suffering with serious medical conditions can have safe access to medical cannabis, as soon as possible, to get the relief they need,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ll keep sharing more news as it’s available. We made a promise – a promise we kept. And now we’re just days away from the first safe medical cannabis being available in Kentucky for those who need it.”

*Pre-K for All *
This week, the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, which represents 3,300 education leaders across the state, endorsed [ [link removed] ] Gov. Beshear’s Pre-K for All [ [link removed] ] initiative. The organization submitted a letter [ [link removed] ] Monday afternoon urging the General Assembly to make expanding access to pre-K for all Kentucky 4-year-olds a top priority in the 2026-2027 budget session.

*Funding Awarded To Increase Public Safety *
Gov. Beshear awarded more than $1.3 million in federal funding to 12 organizations to increase public safety throughout the commonwealth. Organizations receiving funding focus on reducing violence, suicide, homelessness and more and provide mental and behavioral health resources. Awardees include Western Kentucky University, the Hope Center, Maryhurst, the Fayette County Board of Education and the city of Somerset. Funding comes from the federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. For more, see the full release [ [link removed] ].

*Anniversary of Western Kentucky Tornadoes and New Homes*
This week, four years after tornadoes that took the lives of 81 Kentuckians in December 2021, Gov. Beshear visited Western Kentucky to remember those lost and to continue the work of rebuilding. Tuesday, Gov. Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear joined The Hope Initiative in Princeton to dedicate four new homes to families impacted by the tornadoes.

“Four families are starting a new chapter after opening the doors to their new homes this week, four years after the tornadoes swept through Western Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “We made a promise to be here until every life and structure was rebuilt – and that’s a promise we’ve kept.”

Over the past four years, the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has helped build 254 homes. Last year, the Governor and the Kentucky Housing Corporation announced [ [link removed] ] a combined more-than-$223 million to build 953 affordable rental units for tornado-impacted communities.

*Collections from Food Drives*
The Governor shared that the Team Kentucky Food Drive, which collected nonperishable food at state office buildings in Frankfort and at the L&N Building in Louisville, received over 12,000 food items. Donations went to Dare to Care, God’s Pantry, the Christian Appalachian Project and the Capital Activity Center.

The Governor also announced that the annual statewide “Cram the Cruiser [ [link removed] ]” food drive organized by KSP collected 306,961 pounds of food. “Cram the Cruiser” – hosted by all 16 KSP posts – aims to collect essential food items during the holiday season for those in need.

“This year has been hard on so many Kentuckians. Far too many families have faced hunger. As we entered the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we looked for ways to support our neighbors,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thankfully, Team Kentucky stepped up. Kentuckians continue to show what compassion looks like. Thank you for always being there for your neighbors.”

*Team Kentucky All-Stars*
The Governor named troopers at KSP Post 4 and their families as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars in recognition of their annual Shop with a Trooper event in Elizabethtown. Over the weekend KSP troopers hosted 105 kids for a special day of Christmas shopping and holiday cheer. Children went home with gift bags packed with stuffed animals, books and other essentials. Parents also received gift cards to help with holiday needs.

“Times are hard for a lot of folks right now, and each year this event brightens the season for so many families,” said Gov. Beshear. “So, this week, I’m naming Kentucky State Police Post 4 and all of the folks who made this event so special as this week’s Team Kentucky All Stars.”

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