"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. (Nov. 20, 2025)* – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development; SNAP benefits; high-ground communities in Eastern Kentucky; the Kentucky Lottery; highway improvements; Recovery Ready Communities; and support for businesses affected by the UPS plane crash. Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, joined the Governor to provide an update on the second year of the Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative.

First Lady Britainy Beshear provided updates on Violence Against Women Act grants and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) “Cram the Cruiser” food drive. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman provided updates on opportunities to see RISING – a documentary from Team Kentucky – and the Kentucky Main Street program. The Governor named Woodford County Emergency Management Director Drew Chandler this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. 

*Economic Development*
The Governor announced [ [link removed] ] that GE Appliances will award $40 million to four plastics suppliers in Kentucky in an effort to boost laundry manufacturing: EPC, a plastic fabrication company in Lebanon; Jones Plastic, a custom injection molder in Williamsburg that is headquartered in Louisville; Plastic Products Co. Inc., a plastic injection molder based in both Lebanon and Greenville; and another facility in Frankfort. Lee Lagomarcino, vice president of Clothes Care with GE Appliances, joined the Governor to talk about this announcement.

Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is once again expanding its presence in Georgetown, with a $204.4 million investment that will create 82 new manufacturing jobs and boost production of hybrid vehicles. The project is part of a larger initiative, an overall $912 million investment creating 252 new jobs across the company’s plants in Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia.

*SNAP Benefits *
Gov. Beshear also provided an update on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, after Team Kentucky worked through the night last Friday to restore full benefits for eligible Kentuckians. The Governor announced [ [link removed] ] that full benefits were fully processed and were loading onto cards as of Saturday, Nov. 15. 

Due to the federal government shutdown, on Nov. 1, SNAP benefits – which almost 600,000 Kentuckians rely on to supplement their grocery budget – were suspended. The Governor and Team Kentucky took steps to help Kentuckians in need.


* The Governor joined [ [link removed] ] leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the Trump administration over its unlawful decision to suspend SNAP. On Oct. 31, a federal judge ruled [ [link removed] ] in favor of Kentucky and demanded that funding be partially restored. On Nov. 6, Kentucky became one of the first states to process those partial benefits.
* Gov. Beshear signed an executive order [ [link removed] ] declaring a state of emergency and directed $5 million to Feeding Kentucky food banks.
* The Governor authorized the Kentucky National Guard to support staffing needs at Feeding Kentucky food banks. 
* The Governor also directed more than $12 million in state funds during the month of November to temporarily support the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
* Team Kentucky is hosting a food drive, [ [link removed] ] accepting non-perishable food at main state office buildings in Frankfort and at the L&N Building in Louisville.

Today, the Governor shared that after receiving the $5 million from Team Kentucky, Feeding Kentucky was able to support around 28,000 people through their regional food banks. The Governor also shared that 55 Guard members supported efforts across eight food bank sites.

*High-Ground Communities in Eastern Kentucky*
The Governor shared that, this week, Louisville housing manufacturer MMY US shipped eight homes to the new Skyview high-ground community, located just outside of Hazard. Team Kentucky provided $1.6 million to help build these houses through a partnership with Family Scholar House. The eight new homes are scheduled to be move-in ready before Christmas, bringing the number of completed homes at Skyview to nearly 20. The Skyview community is planned to have just under 100 homes, with room for more on a neighboring property. Each will provide housing options out of the floodplain.

In total, Team Kentucky is making progress on eight high-ground communities, with the Governor sharing today that roadwork is now complete at both Skyview in Perry County and Chestnut Ridge in Knott County. Sidewalks have been completed at Skyview and are nearly complete at Chestnut Ridge.

*Kentucky Lottery*
The Governor announced that in fiscal year 2025, the Kentucky Lottery broke its all-time sales record with $2.1 billion in sales. The Lottery’s total impact in the commonwealth totaled $384 million – which is used to fund college scholarships and grant programs for Kentucky students and families.

Gov. Beshear also announced that Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville will be retiring after five years in her role. The Governor announced that he has appointed Maggie Garrison as the new Kentucky Lottery President and CEO. Garrison will officially take the position following Harville’s retirement in February. Harville and Garrison joined the Team Kentucky Update to talk about the lottery’s success.

*Our Healthy Kentucky Home*
Dr. Stack provided an update on the second year of Our Healthy Kentucky Home [ [link removed] ], an initiative to inspire and motivate Kentuckians on a journey to health and wellness. For November, the initiative is highlighting an important resource – the Kentucky Community Health Worker Program. Community health workers serve as vital links between patients, healthcare systems, and their communities. They support families every day – connecting Kentuckians to doctors, helping them understand diagnoses, schedule screenings, find transportation, apply for coverage, and more. Dr. Stack encouraged Kentuckians to utilize this important resource in their communities.

*Highway Improvements *
The Governor highlighted progress being made on building better roads and bridges. Since the start of the Beshear-Coleman administration, Team Kentucky has awarded $6.7 billion to nearly 3,500 highway construction projects. During the same time, Team Kentucky has replaced, repaired, or preserved 660 state and local bridges and improved 20,000 lane miles of pavement.

*Recovery Ready Communities*
Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] that Estill, Henderson, Lewis and Warren counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities. By designating these counties as Recovery Ready, Team Kentucky is expanding access to assistance for drug and alcohol addiction for an additional 219,000 Kentuckians. This brings the total of counties certified to 35.

*Support for Businesses Affected by UPS Plane Crash*
Gov. Beshear announced [ [link removed] ] that his request [ [link removed] ] was approved for a Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) following the UPS plane crash on Nov. 4. Now, eligible businesses in Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties affected by the crash can apply [ [link removed] ] for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The deadline to apply is Aug. 17, 2026.

*Violence Against Women Act Grants*
The First Lady announced that Team Kentucky has awarded [ [link removed] ] $2,110,702 in federal grant funding through the Violence Against Women Act to 29 agencies and organizations across Kentucky to help prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in the commonwealth.

*KSP ‘Cram the Cruiser’ Annual Food Drive*
Mrs. Beshear encouraged [ [link removed] ] Kentuckians to participate in the annual statewide “Cram the Cruiser [ [link removed] ]” food drive to combat hunger throughout the commonwealth. The drive runs through Dec. 5.

*RISING*
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced more opportunities for Kentuckians to view RISING, a documentary from Team Kentucky. There will be two additional screenings: in Lexington at the Kentucky Theater on Dec. 4; and in Louisville at the Kentucky Center – Bomhard Theater on Jan. 15, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit RISING.ky.gov. [ [link removed] ]

RISING tells the story of the strength and resilience of Eastern Kentuckians as they undertake the most ambitious rebuilding effort in the nation following the historic 2022 floods. The Governor announced [ [link removed] ] the documentary in September, and the official premiere took place on Sept. 18 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

*Kentucky Main Street Program*
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced that in the first half of 2025, Kentucky Main Street communities reported $21.2 million in investments in downtown commercial districts, resulting in over 1,200 new jobs and 41 new businesses. This growth builds on the success of the New Kentucky Home initiative by revitalizing downtowns, attracting new businesses, and enhancing visitor experiences.

To further support local businesses, the Lieutenant Governor is encouraging Kentuckians to shop at their local Main Street on Shop Small Saturday. Main Street communities will be offering special shopping events and unique experiences for shoppers. For a list of participating Main Streets and events, visit heritage.ky.gov [ [link removed] ].

*Team Kentucky All-Star*
The Governor named Woodford County Emergency Management Director Drew Chandler this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star. This week, the International Association of Emergency Managers named Chandler the 2025 Emergency Manager of the Year. Chandler has navigated major emergencies, launched the Woodford Alerts emergency notification system co-founded the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference, and more.

“I’ve always said that Kentucky has some of the best emergency management teams in the world and now, one of Kentucky’s own has a title to back that up,” said Gov. Beshear. “Drew Chandler’s leadership over the last decade has transformed Woodford County’s program through his commitment to preparedness innovation and community collaboration.”

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