Following a recent visit to Hopkinsville, Princeton and Mayfield, Governor Andy Beshear broached several topics during his Thursday “Team Kentucky” update, addressing more economic development success, the state budget, the arrival of medical cannabis, “Pre-K For All” and other key topics as the Commonwealth heads into the holiday season.
Of note for the News Edge listening region, Kroger’s plan for a $391 million distribution center in Franklin and Simpson County will support more than 425 new jobs, while an $11 million expansion of the Hines Furlong Line in McCracken County should add another 50 jobs.
Kroger’s operation will feature scaling automated operations to help supply the region, and this is in addition to the $204 million expansion of Country Oven in Bowling Green, a bakery owned by the Kroger Company.
Founded in 1883 with headquarters in Cincinnati, Beshear said the grocery giant has nearly 110 stores in the state, with numerous other ties to the Bluegrass.
Meanwhile, Hines Furlong Line is a family-owned company with the legacy of inland river transportation spanning more than five generations. The organization is headquartered in Nashville, but operates a modern fleet of towboats and barges in Paducah.
In other state news:
+ Beshear confirmed that General Fund receipts rose more than 9% in November, but that steps still need to be taken to outline the budget shortfall after the Consensus Forecasting Group meets December 16.
+ Kentucky’s first fully licensed medical cannabis dispensary — The Post Dispensary in Ohio County — will hold its soft opening December 13. Beshear said getting safe access to patients quickly has been a priority.
+ The Kentucky Association of School Administrators has officially endorsed Beshear’s plan for universal pre-K for 4-year-olds, and he said he will continue to push lawmakers to “make it a budget priority.”
+ And Thursday marks the harrowing four-year anniversary of the 2021 western Kentucky tornadoes. To date, the state’s relief fund has helped build 254 new homes, and committed more than $223 million in building affordable rental units.
