Funding promotes industrial expansion, improving water and road infrastructure
HODGENVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 22, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials to tour the Nationwide Uniform Corp. facility and celebrate $1,461,436 in funds for LaRue County. The funding helped LaRue County purchase nearly 70 acres for industrial development, improve water infrastructure and repave a road.
“Today, I toured the facilities of a company employing nearly 200 Kentuckians and that is still expanding,” said Gov. Beshear. “We also celebrated over $1.4 million in state investments to keep attracting people and businesses to LaRue County. We’re making sure we turn our recent economic momentum into decades of prosperity.”
“The funds we celebrated today are bolstering our industry and infrastructure,” said LaRue County Judge/Executive Blake Durrett. “We’re making sure our people are supported, and we’re building a bright future for all citizens of LaRue County.”
Kentucky Product Development Initiative Funding
Gov. Beshear recapped his announcement from May 2023 that LaRue County received $361,345 in funding from the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI). The funding helped LaRue County acquire a property of approximately 69 acres for industrial development.
The KPDI program was established in 2022 and builds on the commonwealth’s dedicated effort to develop land and buildings in communities across the state to support new, well-paying jobs for Kentuckians and continued economic growth.
Cleaner Water Program
Gov. Beshear also announced $903,091 in funding from the Cleaner Water Program. $487,669 is going to the LaRue County Water District #1 to enlarge a water main along East Leafdale Road. In addition, $415,422 is going to the city of Hodgenville to renovate an industrial water tank.
Discretionary Road Funding
Gov. Beshear announced $197,000 in discretionary road funds to help resurface Dan Dunn Road.
Oldham County
Gov. Beshear also joined local school officials and educators today in Oldham County to survey the progress on a school transportation safety project. In 2021, the Governor presented a ceremonial check from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, representing a commitment to improve traffic safety around three schools on the North Oldham campus. So far, crosswalks have been installed at each of the schools, turn lanes have been created and new flashers are being installed.
“It was a great morning at Harmony Elementary School, as we were reminded just how hard every one of our public school educators and staff work every single day. These people take our kids for hours of the day and put everything they have into their profession, trying to create the best scholars and helping us create the very best people,” said Gov. Beshear. “It is time we invest in schools, students and educators in the way we talk about them. This budget is a good time and a good place to start.”
“Something I stress to my students every day is that communication is key. I would like to take this opportunity to communicate the importance of passing the Governor’s budget proposal as it relates to public education,” said Ethan Moore, an instructor at South Oldham High School. “Education is the catalyst for the next generation to serve our communities. Teaching the next crop of mechanics, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, doctors, factory workers and more is of vital importance for our communities.”
The Governor also discussed his Forward, Together budget proposal and the importance of investing in public schools. Gov. Beshear’s plan provides an 11% pay raise to all public school employees; funds universal pre-K; fully funds teacher pensions and student transportation; ensures no health insurance premium increase for educators; provides teachers student loan forgiveness; supports professional development; funds textbooks; boosts mental health services; and will help build new career and technical education centers. To learn more about the plan, see the full release.
