FRANKFORT, KY - On Oct. 17, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on economic development, the Mountain Parkway Expansion, grants from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, a new effort to support reentry for those leaving incarceration, work to prevent overdoses, kynect open enrollment, work to support Kentucky veterans, and the Halloween celebration at the Capitol. The Governor also provided an update on Kentucky’s efforts to help other states following recent hurricanes and named all those aiding in recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Economic Development
Following a record year that saw Kentucky businesses top $40 billion in exports for the first time, Gov. Beshear announced $400,000 in State Trade Expansion Program funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration is available to help build the global presence of Kentucky-based companies.

Plan To Speed Completion of Mountain Parkway Expansion
The Governor announced that Kentucky will speed progress to complete the final section of the Mountain Parkway Expansion project thanks to a $116.3 million federal grant. The project will provide a safer, faster commute and support economic development throughout Eastern Kentucky.

Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Grants
The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security is awarding more than $4.3 million in funds to strengthen the security of Kentucky communities against potential cyber-attacks and terroristic threats. These funds come from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The city of Ashland will receive more than $273,000 to purchase an Emergency Response Trailer. Chief Steve Alley and Deputy Chief Will McKenzie from the Ashland Fire Department joined the press conference to speak about the award.

The city of Frankfort will receive more than $455,000 to purchase a mobile command post. Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson and Frankfort Police Chief Derrick Napier talked about what the funding will mean for the community.

The city of Mount Sterling will receive more than $83,000 to purchase mobile data terminals for the Mount Sterling Police Department. Lt. Aaron Noel with the Mount Sterling Police Department expressed excitement about the grant.

A complete list of award recipients can be found on the Office of Homeland Security website.

Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers
Gov. Beshear announced additional steps the state is taking to help those who have paid their debt to society with obtaining meaningful employment upon release and to continue reducing the state’s recidivism rate.

The Governor signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers, comprising 15 business and community leaders. The council will meet quarterly to educate employers and local communities on the benefits of second-chance hiring, advocate for laws and investments to improve reentry outcomes and develop best practices for effective reentry programming.

The Governor also announced that his administration is expanding career and technical opportunities throughout the prison system. The first prison to launch a new licensure program is the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, which is working to establish a licensed cosmetology school.

For more, see the full release.

Kentucky Overdose Response Effort
The Governor announced the commonwealth received a $37.2 million federal grant to support the continued work of the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE). This three-year grant will help the state further address the overdose crisis by increasing access to prevention, treatment and recovery services.

In 2023, KORE-funded programs delivered free treatment and recovery services to over 32,600 Kentuckians, distributed 96,700 free Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, and reached 145,000 youth through school and community-based prevention programs.

Jody Jaggers of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association emphasized the importance of this work: “Since 2018, over 400,000 two-dose units of naloxone have been distributed to Kentuckians through this initiative. These aren’t just numbers; this represents lives saved. As the Governor said, these are loved ones, children, spouses, brothers and sisters. And with this new funding, we’ll be able to provide even more units of naloxone.”

Health Coverage Open Enrollment
The Governor reminded Kentuckians seeking quality, affordable health coverage through kynect to visit the website to preview the 2025 health insurance plans that will be offered during open enrollment, which takes place from Nov. 1 until Jan. 15, 2025.

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Gov. Beshear announced that since February of 2023, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has seen great increases in staffing and residency at the four state veterans’ centers. The state saw an increase of 213 state employees, including 175 nursing staff and 38 non-nursing staff. This staffing growth has increased the number of veterans the state can serve. During fiscal year 2024, state veterans’ centers had 221 admissions, the highest number since fiscal year 2019.

The Governor said these increases are due in large part to much-needed pay raises, collaboration with 19 local educational institutions that are providing onsite training and nurse recruitment through a Nurse Loan Repayment Program. To learn more about these opportunities, visit veterans.ky.gov.

State Capitol Halloween Celebration
The Governor invited Kentucky families to come to the Kentucky State Capitol on Oct. 31 to take part in a Halloween celebration. From 6 to 8 p.m. EDT, trick or treating will take place on the South Lawn of the Capitol. Several state cabinets and departments will have staff at booths to hand out candy, and the Governor and First Lady will be handing out candy at the Governor’s Mansion.

“We’re excited to welcome everyone back, once again, and Britainy and I can’t wait to see all the costumes and smiling faces,” said Gov. Beshear.

Support for Other States Following Hurricanes and Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor provided an update on how Kentucky is helping other states in the aftermath of the two recent hurricanes – Helene and Milton – that have devastated parts of the southeastern United States.

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) has offered to send troopers to both North Carolina and Florida, and they remain on standby if needed. Yesterday, KSP troopers escorted farmers from the Post 15 area who were hauling equipment to help farmers in North Carolina.

Six KSP telecommunicators were deployed to Asheville to work alongside local first responders and law enforcement to coordinate the dispatch of a helicopter for disaster relief operations and route first responders to citizens in need. Over the past two weeks, nearly 100 state transportation crew members have traveled to North Carolina to aid in rebuilding and repairing roads.

The Governor named all those aiding in hurricane recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars: “Thank you to all the Kentuckians stepping up in a variety of ways to help our neighbors in the aftermath of the two recent hurricanes. From hauling equipment to clearing roads, answering emergency calls and restoring waterlines, every action makes a difference. This is about neighbor helping neighbor, doing good, giving back. We are so grateful to each of you.”

With the 2024 General Election coming up Nov. 5, the Governor reminded all those working out of state for hurricane relief – or for any other reason – that they have various options for casting their vote.

Eligible voters can request a mail-in absentee ballot be sent to their residential address or – for workers out of state – anywhere in the United States. The deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 22. The deadline to return these ballots to local county clerks is 6 p.m. local time on Nov. 5. To request an absentee ballot online, visit govote.ky.gov or call your local county clerk’s office.