Kentucky’s governor has big plans for the Commonwealth’s economic development. At a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, Governor Andy Beshear announced his budget plans to create and attract jobs. Kentucky ranks 25th in the nation when it comes to unemployment.
One of the ways the governor hopes to change this is by attracting more businesses to what he calls “mega-sites.” Beshear said Kentucky must have more sites already prepared for these companies and facilities to move in.
“So my budget prepares us to secure the next Ford, the next Toyota, the next Pratt or the next Novelis. It aims to provide every Kentucky region with the opportunity to compete for that next amazing transformational opportunity,” said Beshear.
Beshear’s budget has 250 million dollars in one-time funds to be used to develop a site identification and development program. The governor said this is intended to have the infrastructure in place when communities market the site to potential employers.
“This fund is going to help communities grow small industrial or business site to be larger. It will help prepare them to be build ready, to work on utilities and other needs so that when they market it to the next great employer, it is ready to go,” explained Beshear.
Beshear is also proposing to spend 10 million dollars a year on a media plan to improve the recruitment of top national talent to Kentucky and provide local coverage to retain talent in Kentucky.
