"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. (Jan. 29, 2026)* – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development; medical cannabis; the state’s response to the severe winter weather; long-term recovery efforts in communities affected by flooding and tornadoes; tips to save on your utility bill; and efforts by the Kentucky State Police to seize dangerous drugs. Following their tireless efforts to clear roads and keep people safe, the Governor named road crews clearing snow and ice from across the commonwealth as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

*Economic Development*
Gov. Beshear began the update announcing that this month is the second-best January on record for new investment. Eight new projects were approved at this morning’s Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority meeting, totaling up to $569.8 million in new investment and estimated to create 448 new, full-time jobs for Kentuckians.

The Governor also announced an exciting new project in the state’s manufacturing sector, as James Composites LLC, a producer of fiberglass barge covers, will invest $5.8 million in Marshall County to establish its first facility in the commonwealth and create 25 quality, full-time jobs.

Yesterday, the Governor joined [ [link removed] ] local officials and leadership from GE Appliances to announce the company’s first-ever, in-house water filter manufacturing operation at Appliance Park in Louisville, the company’s global corporate headquarters. The new line will create 30 new jobs with the potential to expand further with additional water filter manufacturing lines.

Also yesterday, Gov. Beshear joined local officials and leaders from Wicked Technologies to cut the ribbon on the medical device manufacturing company’s new facility in Louisville.

*Medical Cannabis*
The Governor announced that today, Kentucky cut the ribbon on Blue Sage Dispensary in Nicholasville, and tomorrow, nuEra Dispensary will open in Frankfort.

Also approved to operate are five cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, seven dispensaries either open or preparing to open, and nine licensees actively undergoing inspection.

So far, more than 18,000 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards. Over 510 practitioners are registered to issue certifications, and they have already issued more than 28,000 electronic certifications.

*State’s Response to Severe Winter Storm*
After a weekend of severe winter weather, Team Kentucky is continuing to work to clear roads, restore power and help Kentuckians in need. While the snow and ice moved out of the state Monday, dangerously cold temperatures have remained and will continue through the days ahead. 

Windchills will be negative 5 to negative 15 Friday night into Saturday morning. On Friday, Kentucky is expected to receive more snow. This should be a light accumulation of 1 inch or less.

“We need everyone to remain alert.  But definitely get out and take a walk during those moments of sunshine and relatively warmer temperatures. I know being cooped up in the house is tough,” said Gov. Beshear. “Just be careful, make sure to wear proper clothing and layers, and avoid slick sidewalks. If you are on the roads today, please go slow. Clean off your cars before hitting the road. And give our crews enough space to continue to do their work. Stay safe, everyone.”

Yesterday, the Governor confirmed an additional weather-related death on his social media [ [link removed] ] – a 55-year-old man in Livingston County – bringing the total to 11, up from the 10 he reported [ [link removed] ] yesterday at a weather briefing. 

*Power outages:* There were just under 6,000 reported power outages as of 12:30 p.m. EST, down from around 73,590 at the height of outages Sunday. Utility crews have worked 24/7 to restore power as quickly as possible.

*Water and Wastewater Systems: *Crews are working to maintain service to drinking and wastewater systems in light of power outages and freezing waterlines. Statewide, 14 drinking water systems are on limited operations. Several line breaks have prompted boil water advisories for 11,029 customers. Approximately 530 are without water. 

*Warming Centers:* Over 893 people sheltered in warming centers Wednesday night. Kentucky currently has 111 warming centers set up across the commonwealth for those facing an outage. To find a warming center near you, or if you need additional assistance, visit kyem.ky.gov [ [link removed] ].

*Kentucky State Police (KSP): *KSP telecommunicators have received 11,864 calls for service related to the winter storm. Additionally, troopers and officers have conducted 513 wellness checks and responded to 713 requests for motorist assistance. State police continue to encourage Kentuckians to call 911 for emergency or life-threatening situations only.

*Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM)*: KYEM has conducted 356 rapid needs assessments following calls to the rapid needs assessment line, 502-607-6665.

*Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC):* State highway crews remain on duty, especially in hardest hit areas, including along the Western Kentucky and Bluegrass parkways and in Christian, Muhlenberg and Todd counties, where there are still some primary routes with ice pack. Grader and plow work continues there and on secondary routes in those regions and elsewhere to break up ice and hard-packed snow. Grader operations are also taking place in many counties today, including on main roads in Fayette County and on Interstate 64 in Clark County.

Crews made progress yesterday on secondary back roads with remaining snow cover in many western and central Kentucky counties and expect to make more today. Under the State of Emergency [ [link removed] ], state transportation crews continue to help clear non-state roads. This will help local line workers restore power more quickly too. Visit snowky.ky.gov [ [link removed] ] for driver tips and resources, like traffic cams. Travel conditions are available on the GoKy map [ [link removed] ].  

If you have immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form [ [link removed] ] or call 502-607-6665.

*Long-Term Disaster Recovery Efforts*
Gov. Beshear provided an update on long-term disaster recovery efforts across Kentucky. 

In Floyd County, work to renovate the Floyd County Community Center is complete [ [link removed] ]. This project was completed in part thanks to a $750,000 grant [ [link removed] ] from Team Kentucky’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Community Center was used as a staging ground [ [link removed] ] for flood-response in 2022. The renovations allow the center to house after school programs, a basketball and volleyball league and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Also in Floyd County, progress continues at the New Hope high-ground neighborhood in Prestonsburg, which will eventually be the site of 34 homes for flood survivors. Gov. Beshear joined local officials [ [link removed] ] to break ground on this neighborhood last July. Team Kentucky is supporting this project with a total of $10 million from the Disaster Recovery program and the regular CDBG program. 

Four homes are currently under construction, and all four have buyers lined up.

In Breathitt County in the city of Jackson, construction has started on two homes off Highland Avenue. In total, this project will build eight homes for flood survivors. Team Kentucky is providing $2.3 million [ [link removed]. ] to this project.

Additionally, groundwork has begun at the TopCat high-ground community [ [link removed]. ] in Breathitt County. This will eventually be the site of 17 new homes. Team Kentucky is supporting this project with $6 million in Disaster Recovery funds.

In Perry County at the Skyview neighborhood, five homes are completed and occupied. Four more homes will be move-in ready within the next month. In total, 29 homes are now under construction, and all are moving forward. When this neighborhood is finished, nearly 100 homes will be onsite.

In Bowling Green, using $900,000 in Disaster Recovery funding from Team Kentucky, the city partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build six homes for tornado survivors. Those homes are nearing completion, and families are expected to begin moving in by March. 

Team Kentucky is being used as a national model for leveraging federal disaster relief funds into large-scale housing projects. Members of Gov. Beshear’s administration have provided recovery guidance to other disaster-impacted states and will be presenting at an upcoming national conference on multi-family housing developments.

*Tips to Save on Utility Bills*
Following the weekend winter storm, and at a time when things cost too much, Gov. Beshear shared tips from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on how Kentuckians can save on their utility bills.

Heating is usually the biggest winter expense. Setting thermostats a few degrees lower, especially at night or when no one is home, can significantly reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort. Regular maintenance of heating systems also helps ensure they operate efficiently. 

Check and replace central heating filters regularly, as dirty filters reduce airflow. Ceiling fans can be used during the winter to keep warm air circulating. To do this, reverse the motor so it rotates clockwise at a low speed.

Sealing and insulation matter. Drafty windows, doors and poorly insulated spaces allow heat to escape, forcing heating systems to work harder. Simple steps like weather stripping, closing unused rooms, and using curtains or other coverings like storm windows to trap heat can reduce heat loss and lower bills.

Levelized Billing, or Budget Billing, is a program that provides a predictable monthly bill, smoothing out seasonal highs and lows. Check with your utility provider to see if this is something you can set up. If you’re having trouble paying your utility bill, visit kynect.ky.gov [ [link removed] ] for resources that can help.

*2025 State Police Drug Seizures and Arrests*
The Governor shared an update on the work accomplished by KSP last year in removing dangerous drugs off our streets and arrests made to hold those accountable who attempt to sell dangerous drugs. In 2025, state police made 5,141 drug-related arrests and seized more than $18.9 million worth of drugs, including $277,000 worth of fentanyl, over $2.1 million worth of cocaine, and nearly $4.4 million worth of methamphetamine. 

Last year, KSP also helped 15 Kentuckians through the Angel Initiative, a program that offers those struggling with addiction a way to connect to recovery resources with no questions asked. This program is available at all 16 KSP posts located throughout the commonwealth. 

“I’m proud of the progress KSP has made to increase access to recovery resources for folks struggling and getting dangerous drugs off our streets. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve been able to reduce overdose deaths in the commonwealth for three years in a row – thank God,” said Gov. Beshear. “We will continue to do everything we can to fight addiction and keep our people safe.”

To find recovery resources near you, call the KY HELP Call Center at 833-8KY-HELP or visit FindHelpNowKy.org [ [link removed] ].

*Team Kentucky All-Stars*
Following their tireless efforts to clear roads and keep people safe, the Governor named road crews clearing snow and ice from across the commonwealth as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. These teams prepared a stockpile of 311,000 tons of salt and over 1 million gallons of brine for anti-icing efforts. Team Kentucky had 1,500 KYTC and contracted trucks on the road. Since Friday, state and contracted plow crews have tracked 793,000 miles, enough to circle the earth more than 31 times.

“These are Kentuckians who spent time away from their families during the storm to protect our families. They risked their safety to keep us safe,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are grateful for their work during this storm and every weather event. So I am happy to name them as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.”

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