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Photo: AT&T Kentucky
AT&T is continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Kentucky. AT&T and local officials today announced that the Louisville & Jefferson County Riverport Authority, more commonly known as Riverport Industrial Park, has been designated AT&T Fiber Ready.
The AT&T Fiber Ready designation helps economic development leaders more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services.
In today’s world, connectivity is vital to new employers and businesses of every type.
“It is always encouraging when the business community comes alongside local leadership and provides a resource like this designation to highlight what our community brings to the table, when companies are making the important decisions on where they have the best chance to succeed,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our community has many wonderful aspects to attract businesses looking to locate or move, and having the ‘Fiber Ready’ designation is a key tool in the toolbox to emphasize that we are ready to face the challenges of a modern economy.”
“The AT&T Fiber Ready designation provides a clear stamp to tell the business community that we have the fiber-optic infrastructure in place to meet the needs of businesses,” said Kent Oyler, president & CEO, Greater Louisville Inc. “I am grateful for the leadership of our elected officials here in the city and in our state legislature who have created a more positive, pro-investment environment in the Commonwealth.”
AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across Kentucky for years, totaling nearly 980,000 strand miles of fiber-optics to date, and the AT&T Fiber Ready designation is a tool for economic development leaders to highlight the assets available in their facilities.
“For years, AT&T has invested in Kentucky to deliver high-speed Internet in urban and rural areas all across the Commonwealth using the latest wired and wireless technologies, and this announcement offers an opportunity to highlight AT&T’s fiber infrastructure in the Riverport Industrial Park – infrastructure that is helping local businesses drive job creation,” said Hood Harris, president, AT&T Kentucky. “AT&T Kentucky’s employees are working hard every day to deploy our fiber-based network that delivers the high-speed Internet access that Kentuckians want and need, and the fiber optic connectivity that is available in the Riverport Industrial Park is in place to meet the communications needs of businesses of all sizes.”
Gov. Matt Bevin congratulated Kings Royal Biotech Inc. (KRB), a manufacturer of cannabidiol isolate, for breaking ground on its $30 million-plus facility, a project expected to create 140 full-time jobs in the West Kentucky city of Bardwell.
“Ag-tech businesses are increasingly recognizing the many benefits of manufacturing hemp-related products in Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “We are grateful for the jobs and investment that Kings Royal Biotech brings and for the company’s efforts to build lasting relationships with West Kentucky farmers. We look forward to seeing our state become a global leader in this rapidly growing industry. Congratulations to KRB on today’s announcement and to the Carlisle County community on this exciting new opportunity.”
KRB will build its 75,000-square-foot building on nearly nine acres in Carlisle County. The facility will use state-of-the-art methods to extract, refine and re-crystallize cannabidiol (CBD) from industrial hemp and is believed to be the largest operation of its kind in the nation. With the issuance of an industrial hemp research pilot program processor license by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, KRB plans to start processing hemp in late 2018 and ramp up to full capacity by summer 2019.
“Industrial hemp is the next big thing in Kentucky,” said Keith Taylor, chief operating officer at KRB. “The bourbon industry is synonymous with the state, and it is our goal to reach that level of success, where any time someone thinks of hemp-related products, they think of Kentucky.”
KRB, incorporated in Kentucky in 2017, partnered with a China-based company specializing in industrial hemp-related products to establish the Bardwell operation. KRB licensed its partner’s patented extraction and crystallization process in West Kentucky. CBD isolate and full spectrum oil will then be sold in commercial quantities throughout the US and worldwide. People use CBD isolate for numerous health and wellness purposes.
Taylor noted Kentucky’s ideal conditions for the growth of hemp as a major influence in its decision to locate in the state, and the company has hired J.T. Workman IV, of Carlisle County, as its growing manager. Workman assisted the company to secure an agreement with local farmers to plant and harvest more than 1,000 acres of hemp.
KRB also has partnered with Andrea Schiavi of Lexington-based Schiavi Seeds LLC to provide hemp seeds certified through the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Schiavi Seeds received recognition in fall 2017 for becoming the first company since the 1930s to produce certified hemp seeds in the commonwealth.
“Kentucky’s nationally-renowned industrial hemp research pilot program continues to grow,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. “The number of processors is increasing, creating new market opportunities for our farmers and jobs for Kentuckians across the commonwealth. I’d like to thank Governor Bevin and the Cabinet for Economic Development for continuing to attract new and exciting businesses to Kentucky.”
Sen. Danny Carroll, of Paducah, expressed enthusiasm for the project.
“I’d like to congratulate and welcome Kings Royal Biotech to Carlisle County as it builds a $30 million facility that will create 140 jobs in Senate District 2,” Sen. Carroll said. “As a manufacturer of CBD, Kings Royal Biotech uses state-of-the-art methods that will help the commonwealth lead the nation in this fast-growing industry. I look forward to the completion of this project and the national distribution of its Kentucky products.”
Rep. Steven Rudy, of Paducah, welcomed the company to west Kentucky.
“This facility will be a tremendous asset for the Carlisle County region,” Rep. Rudy said. “Hemp production is a growing industry and the company will provide more than 100 great jobs in Kentucky. We welcome Kings Royal Biotech to the state.”
Carlisle County Judge-Executive Greg Terry said the project shines a light on the community’s ability to support new business.
“I am very proud of the work that the Carlisle County Industrial Development Board has done to show what a great place Carlisle County would be for this new CBD isolate facility,” Judge-Executive Terry said. “I look forward to working with Kings Royal Biotech during this process.”
KRB can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
A detailed community profile for Carlisle County can be viewed at http://bit.ly/CarlisleCo.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.
Gov. Matt Bevin today joined local officials and company executives from Maxim Crane Works LP, a nationwide crane rental and lifting services provider, to open a $4.71 million office that consolidates the company’s operations into Kentucky and is creating 100 full-time jobs.
“Maxim Crane Works has been a steady corporate partner in Kentucky for more than 80 years, and this latest investment showcases even further commitment to the commonwealth,” Gov. Bevin said. “Maxim Crane is a powerful name within its industry, and we are proud the company continues to strengthen its presence in our state. Congratulations to the company, the community of Wilder and the Northern Kentucky region on this incredible new endeavor.”
Before the ribbon cutting, Maxim executives toured guests through the new 17,000-square-foot office. The building brings together Maxim’s operations and leadership functions in Campbell County, where the company has operated a regional headquarters since 1937. Maxim bases about 400 cranes in Wilder for quick deployment to customers across the Eastern US. Its growth projections – including organic and via acquisition – helped bring the project to fruition.
“This is a project that clearly demonstrates the benefits of a pro-business government working together with the private sector to generate jobs and economic growth at a record pace,” said Frank Bardonaro, COO for Maxim. “We appreciate the support of the Governor and local leaders to provide Maxim the opportunity to bring more jobs and opportunity to the local community as a result of this tremendous joint effort.”
“I am honored to be able to present our employees, customers and the next generation of Maxim employees with this state-of-the-art facility,” added Bryan Carlisle, the company’s CEO. “We are extremely grateful to our employees for providing us with this opportunity to continue what started a few miles away in 1937 and has grown into the largest and most successful Crane Rental company in the USA.”
Maxim is a coast-to-coast provider of crane rental and lifting services. With over 50 locations across the country, Maxim provides services in every state and has consolidated more than 30 crane-rental companies.
Sen. Wil Schroder, of Wilder, noted the company’s prominence within its industry.
“On behalf of the citizens in the 24th Senatorial District, I’d like to welcome the nation’s largest provider of crane rental and lifting services, Maxim Crane Works,” Sen. Schroder said. “This $4.71 million investment and the creation of 100 jobs is yet another testament to Campbell County’s workforce. The 24th Senatorial District continues to be a leader of economic development in the commonwealth and I am proud to welcome this business to our region.”
Rep. Dennis Keene, of Wilder, said the local workforce has the skillset to meet any need and expressed gratitude for the company’s investment in the region.
“This announcement is just further proof that Wilder is a great place to do business and that its workforce is second-to-none,” Rep. Keene said. “I want to thank the leaders of Maxim Crane Works for being such an integral part of our corporate community for more than 80 years and for deciding to invest nearly $5 million more as it consolidates its in-state operations here. I also appreciate what our local and state economic development leaders have done to make today’s ribbon cutting possible.”
Wilder Mayor Stanley Turner commended the company on its steady growth.
“Congratulations to Maxim Crane on the completion of this expansion,” Mayor Turner said. “The City of Wilder is very proud to be the location chosen to support the continued growth of Maxim Crane’s corporate operations in our region.”
Kenton County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Board Chair Kris Knochelmann noted the company’s strong standing within the community.
“Maxim Crane is an excellent community partner in Northern Kentucky and we appreciate their ongoing investment into their facilities, employees and operations here,” Judge-Executive Knochelmann said. “We look forward to continued partnership in the years to come.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) a year ago preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
Maxim Crane also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on Maxim Crane Works, visit www.cranerental.com.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8), the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University announce the rescheduled Hack the Highlands event, the CDA’s first neighborhood-specific hackathon, this Saturday February 24th at Bellarmine University. Originally scheduled to occur in January, inclement weather forced the hackathon to be move to this coming Saturday.
The Civic Data Alliance is Louisville’s Code for America Brigade focused on being a force for open data, coding education, and civic engagement. A hackathon is an event at which coders and other stakeholders focus on using data to create software to solve problems.
“I’m excited and appreciative to partner with the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University to produce Hack the Highlands,” said Coan. “The event is part of my plan to build interest in civic engagement and make city business more accessible, interesting and participatory. I hope a number of students, neighborhood coders and urbanists will come out and join us.”
Since 2014, the CDA has hosted nearly a dozen hackathons around Louisville and produced innovative solutions to local needs, including creating tools for those who are visually impaired and supporting The New Dixie Highway project.
“The Civic Data Alliance is excited to work with Councilman Coan and Bellarmine University to host this hackathon,” said CDA event organizer Robert Kahne. “We hope that the work done on this day brings this corner of the city closer together and helps the Highlands as it faces unique challenges and embraces its unique advantages. CDA is always open and willing to work with any elected officials regardless of political party or office who wishes to support open data and technology for the public good. We commend Councilman Coan for reaching out to us and helping put this event together.”
Hack the Highlands will focus on using the city’s open data to solve problems specific to the Highlands, including reorganizing the area’s litter baskets to make the streets cleaner, tracking streetlight outages to make neighborhoods safer and analyzing the results of Councilman Coan’s 2017 “I Can Get You a Tow” campaign, designed to curb illegal rush hour street parking on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.
The event will be held Saturday, February 24th from 9am-5pm at Bellarmine, in classroom CNMH 081 on the ground level of Centro’s McGowan Hall. It is free and open to the public, and parking is available in Bellarmine lots.
“We’re proud to call the Highlands and District 8 Bellarmine’s home, so we’re delighted to host this data-driven session that will make our neighborhood an even better place to live, learn and work,” said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine’s president.
For more information and to RSVP, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/HackTheHighlands2-24
http://www.tinyurl.com/cmcoand8
Championship Tractor Pulls Each Day
The 53rd National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) kicked off it’s annual 4-day stretch yesterday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. At the show, more than 850 exhibitors and displays – from well-recognized names such as John Deere, Case IH, Mahindra, Blaster, and Perdue to upcoming companies – introduce attendees to the latest products as well as established staples in the agriculture industry.
If visitors to the NFMS are not in the market for new farm implements, the Gifts and Craft Market, located in the South Wing upper Mezzanine level, features everything from farm toys and locally made confections to belt buckles and mattresses. The Market is open during show hours.
In addition to visiting with the vendors at the show, visitors are invited to attend free seminars and television program tapings that cover everything from how to improve growing methods to the latest marketing trends in the industry.
Free programs are available at the show, with information also available in the free show app.
Doors open at 9AM each day of the show, which closes at 6PM daily. While admission to the show is free, Kentucky Exposition Center parking is $8 per vehicle at the gates. Concessions are available onsite from many different places, including a variety of Kentucky raised products.
Following the NFMS each evening, visitors can stick around and witness the noise and excitement of the Annual Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Sygenta. Spectators will see competitors from across North American in a variety of trucks and tractors – from souped up farm diesels to alcohol burners to specially-built monster machines featuring multiple V-8 engines bolted together on a frame – dragging a weighted sled down the dirt track to see who can pull it the farthest.
The associated Championship Tractor Pull celebrates its golden anniversary this year, marking 50 years of massive horsepower. The event starts each night of the NFMS at 7PM with an additional competition on Saturday at noon. Admission to the Championship Tractor Pull is not included with the NFMS. Tickets may be purchased online with prices starting at $20. Parking for the pull is also $8, but if you are already at the NFMS, you do not need to pay it again unless you leave and come back. It is recommended that visitors bring ear protection, as some of the pulling machines are very loud.
During show hours, visitors interested in the machines being featured in the truck and tractor pull can stop by Broadbent Arena to see the trucks and tractors up close and have the chance to meet some of the drivers.
If you’re looking for some family fun to be had this weekend, be sure to stop by the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Mayor Greg Fischer urged citizens, businesses and nonprofits to donate used laptop computers during the Computer Donation Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the new South Central Regional Library.
Donated laptop computers will have all data wiped and be refurbished by Fern Creek High School students in a program highlighted by Mayor Fischer on Jan. 4 in the annual State of the City address.
About 100 Fern Creek High students refurbish computers that are donated by companies, learning and practicing new career-oriented skills. The refurbished computers are provided to Metro Housing Authority residents, opening new opportunities for cost-savings, online education and career-seeking.
“Here’s a chance for citizens to make a difference with extra punch — you’re helping a student build skills that they’ll use through their careers, and citizens in need of more opportunities get a tool that’s become absolutely necessary in today’s economy,” Mayor Fischer said. “I urge every citizen to find that old computer and drop it off at our beautiful new South Central Regional Library.”
The Computer Donation Day will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, January 27, at the South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd. The program will only accept laptop computers at this time due limited storage space for the computers. For more information go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/events/used-computer-drive
Louisville Metro Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8), the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University are partnering to present Hack the Highlands, the CDA’s first neighborhood-specific hackathon, January 13.
The Civic Data Alliance is Louisville’s Code for America Brigade focused on being a force for open data, coding education, and civic engagement. A hackathon is an event at which coders and other stakeholders focus on using data to create software to solve problems.
“I’m excited and appreciative to partner with the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University to produce Hack the Highlands,” said Coan. “The event is part of my plan to build interest in civic engagement and make city business more accessible, interesting and participatory. I hope a number of students, neighborhood coders and urbanists will come out and join us.”
Since 2014, the CDA has hosted nearly a dozen hackathons around Louisville and produced innovative solutions to local needs, including creating tools for those who are visually impaired and supporting The New Dixie Highway project.
“The Civic Data Alliance is excited to work with Councilman Coan and Bellarmine University to host this hackathon,” said CDA event organizer Robert Kahne. “We hope that the work done on this day brings this corner of the city closer together and helps the Highlands as it faces unique challenges and embraces its unique advantages. CDA is always open and willing to work with any elected officials regardless of political party or office who wishes to support open data and technology for the public good. We commend Councilman Coan for reaching out to us and helping put this event together.”
Hack the Highlands will focus on using the city’s open data to solve problems specific to the Highlands, including reorganizing the area’s litter baskets to make the streets cleaner, tracking streetlight outages to make neighborhoods safer and analyzing the results of Councilman Coan’s 2017 “I Can Get You a Tow” campaign, designed to curb illegal rush hour street parking on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.
The event will be held Saturday, January 13 from 9am-5pm at Bellarmine, in classroom CNMH 081 on the ground level of Centro’s McGowan Hall. It is free and open to the public, and parking is available in Bellarmine lots.
“We’re proud to call the Highlands and District 8 Bellarmine’s home, so we’re delighted to host this data-driven session that will make our neighborhood an even better place to live, learn and work,” said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine’s president.
For more information and to RSVP, visit:
http://www.tinyurl.com/hackthehighlands
http://www.tinyurl.com/cmcoand8
