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Photo: Kentucky Cabinet For Economic Development
U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Governor Matt Bevin today announced a $2.55 million Abandoned Mine Lands Pilot Grant to restore and enhance the Portal 31 Exhibition Mine and create a scenic overlook and parking area at Black Mountain.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Abandoned Mine Lands awarded the grant to Harlan County Fiscal Court as part of the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot Program to revitalize the coalfields in Kentucky’s Appalachian region.
The project will involve refurbishing the electronics and controls of animated figures, upgrading audiovisual systems, lighting, and control functions of the Exhibition Mine Tour, and fixing drainage in the exhibition mine tunnels and making structural repairs to tunnel roof structures. In addition, adjacent mine areas will be cleaned to accommodate a new walking tour and an additional mantrip vehicle will be purchased.
The Black Mountain portion of the project will create a new parking area with a scenic overlook, which will lead to a new walking trail that will take visitors to the overlook at the summit of Black Mountain – the highest natural point in Kentucky. A proposed 40-foot –high observation tower will provide a scenic view of Kentucky and Virginia.
The Lynch Bathhouse/administrative building adjacent to Portal 31, will be renovated to increase office space. The renovation also will provide space for a planned dulcimer factory and other crafts, a planned coffee roasting company, and enlarge an existing mushroom growing operation.
Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin announced the grant Thursday at Benham Schoolhouse Inn, Benham, KY.
“We need to tell our story and celebrate our history in Eastern Kentucky on a larger scale, and this grant will highlight the rich heritage of coal production and the beauty of our mountains in Harlan County,” said Congressman Rogers, who has championed $80 million in federal funding for Kentucky through the AML Pilot Program since 2016, alongside U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“We need to cultivate our tourism economy on a broader spectrum by improving and marketing the qualities that make our region so unique, like Portal 31 and the highest point in Kentucky on Black Mountain. Thanks to the hard-working and resilient people of Harlan County, the future for our rural economy looks brighter every day.”
In addition to the AML Pilot Grant, the project has received $650,000 local/in-kind funds. When completed, it is expected to create 20 new permanent jobs and increase visitors to Lynch, KY and the surrounding area by 40 percent.
“When it was built more than 100 years ago, Lynch was the largest coal camp in the world, and the newly-announced resources will help restore and preserve this unique part of Kentucky’s history,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and a key negotiator in securing the funding for this program.
“In addition to its benefits for the local tourism industry, the Portal 31 Exhibition Mine displays both the historical significance and natural beauty of Appalachian coal country. I proudly join Congressman Rogers in strong support of the AML Pilot grants to encourage economic revitalization and new jobs to Eastern Kentucky, and I look forward to the success of this project.”
“This significant AML investment will enhance tourism and economic development opportunities in Southeast Kentucky,” said Gov. Bevin. “These grant funds will enable Harlan County to showcase to visitors the region’s rich mining history as well as the scenic natural beauty of Black Mountain — the highest point within the Commonwealth.”
Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely said restoration of the mine tour is worthwhile because, not only does it draw upon Kentucky’s rich mining culture, it shows how the region is transforming itself.
“I am pleased that this Cabinet is able to be a significant part of the region’s recovery through this grant,” Secretary Snavely said.
The AML Pilot Program, funded through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), is a joint effort by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Department for Local Government, the SOAR Initiative in Eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Abandoned Mine Lands.
Gov. Matt Bevin has joined 15 states in a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief supporting Second Amendment rights, in response to New York City’s restrictions on handguns kept for self-defense.
The brief was filed in response to the costly and restrictive “premises permit” required by the city to own a personal handgun for self-defense. The permit prohibits taking a weapon outside the home for any purpose other than to practice at a New York City shooting range and entirely prohibits leaving the state with the weapon. The costly “carry” permit is required to remove the weapon from the home for other purposes and is difficult to obtain.
“Citizens have the Constitutional right to ‘keep and bear Arms,’ and New York’s restrictive regulations set a dangerous precedent that heavily restricts this right and prevents responsible gun owners from protecting themselves outside of their home,” said Bevin General Counsel Steve Pitt. “Kentucky has a fundamental interest in ensuring that the Second Amendment is preserved for our citizens and that the Commonwealth is not harmed by the liberal policies of other states.”
The 16-state coalition urged the Supreme Court to review the case and provide clear guidance on the scope of the Second Amendment. The brief also calls upon the court to decide that self-defense is not limited to the home.
Kentucky joined the other states in arguing that while city and state governments have an interest in public safety and crime prevention, New York City offered no evidence that demonstrated its regulations actually enhance public safety and crime prevention. In fact, the brief argues that the restrictive regulatory scheme has the opposite effect by arbitrarily limiting a gun owner’s ability to become proficient with his or her own weapon.
The brief also points out the effect of the regulations on hunting and shooting sports, which could harm the tourism industry in states like Kentucky. “New York’s regulatory scheme discriminates against interstate commerce because it ‘deprives out-of-state businesses of access to a local market’ by forbidding its citizens from hunting and patronizing ranges outside the State with their own guns,” the states wrote.
Gov. Bevin was joined by the Governor of Mississippi in signing the brief. Fourteen states joined the brief through their Attorneys General, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the brief is available here.
Representatives from State and Local offices joined together to celebrate the completion of the Urton Lane Bridge in southeastern Jefferson County. Phase I of the Urton Lane Project was first funded in July 2011 through an appropriation by Councilman Stuart Benson, seeks to develop more than 400 acres of land located in the southeastern portion of the Bluegrass Commercial Park. When all phases of the project are completed, the Urton Lane Extension will grant a new access route to Taylorsville Road and the Gene Snyder for persons seeking to transport goods or commute to work.
“The completion of the Urton Lane Corridor will take time, but when completed will lead to approximately 10,000 new jobs for the area and nearly two million square feet of office and industrial space.The jobs created as part of this project are expected to pay higher than average wages and demand well trained workers while releasing few if any emissions. The Urton Lane Corridor project is a great example of cooperative efforts by public and private partners that will be an economic boon for our community.” – Councilman Stuart Benson
The total cost for the completed portion of the Urton Lane Extension is $1.5 million. Additionally, the bridge was constructed with multi modal pedestrian traffic needs in mind. The north and south approach ramps will be constructed as the many acres of adjacent land are developed.
“The bridge project gets us closer to completion of the Urton Lane Corridor, which has been talked about for years. And it’s time to make it a reality. Connecting this bridge to Urton Lane and completing the Urton Lane Corridor will help us add up to 10,000 new jobs.” – Mayor Greg Fischer
In addition to funds pooled by the nine Republican members of the Louisville Metro Council, additional funding for the project was included in the FY17 Mayor’s Budget Proposal through use of System Development Charges. This funding source seeks to improve transit in some of the fastest growing parts of Louisville Metro and comes from fees paid each time a new home, apartment or townhome is constructed in southeastern Jefferson County.
“Transportation projects like the Urton Lane Bridge provide vital connections to keep Kentucky’s economy moving, I applaud the efforts of Councilman Benson, who worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. By placing economic development ahead of partisanship, we are confident that there will be further opportunities for new development and jobs in Jefferson County and throughout the Commonwealth.” – Governor Matt Bevin
About the Urton Lane Bridge Project:
- Project funding starting in July 2011 with the final funding for the project added as part of the
FY18 Budget. - Construction started in May 2017 and was completed in early April 2018.
- Total Project Cost: 1.5 million.
- When complete, the Urton Lane Extension is expected to help develop over 400 acres of land adjacent to the Bluegrass Commerce Park and help create more than 10,000 jobs with an expected average salary greater than the average for Louisville Metro.\
- Constructing a bridge over an existing railroad corridor brought additional obstacles and levels of approval than most public projects.
- Project was managed by Louisville Metro Public Works, Mindel Scott & Associates and included work with outside stakeholders from Hollenbach-Oakley, Norfolk Southern, American Contracting, LLC, Qk4 and Louisville Metro Council District 20.
For more information on this event or the Urton Lane Bridge Project, please contact Stephen Haag, Jr at 574-1204 or steve.haag@louisvilleky.gov .
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.
Image: Operation UNITE
The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and Operation UNITE are launching a new substance abuse call center that will connect people across the state with drug treatment, Gov. Matt Bevin announced recently.
Starting December 1, Kentuckians struggling with a substance use disorder, either themselves or within their families, can call 1-833-8KY-HELP (1-833-859-4357) toll-free to speak with a specialist about treatment options and available resources. The specialist will conduct a brief screening assessment in order to connect callers with the most relevant treatment services as quickly as possible.
“This epidemic is gripping people in every corner of our state and every part of our society,” said Gov. Bevin. “If people don’t know about the ability to get help, then help is not going to be given to people. This phone number will connect callers to a live person who understands this exact issue and will link them to community resources that can help.”
Operation UNITE already fields about 1,000 inquiries each month from desperate residents seeking help with a substance use disorder. The new KY Help Call Center will provide referrals across the state to both public and private treatment providers.
Options will include everything from medication-assisted treatment to faith-based care, and the live specialist will help callers work through all the variables, such as location and cost.
“There are so many people across the commonwealth who have nowhere to turn when confronted with their own addiction or that of a loved one,” said Nancy Hale, President/CEO of Operation UNITE. “They are desperate for answers. They are desperate for help. This call center will guide people toward recovery. It will give them hope.”
The partnership with Operation UNITE is the latest initiative in the state’s “Don’t Let Them Die” campaign. Gov. Bevin unveiled that campaign earlier this year, encouraging all Kentuckians to take proactive steps to combat the lethal opioid crisis, which claimed more than 1,400 lives in 2016.
Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley said those in the grip of addiction often have brief moments of clarity when they are most receptive to help.
“We must seize on those rare opportunities to save lives,” Secretary Tilley said. “This call center brings us closer to on-demand treatment than ever before, and it allows callers to locate the resources that work best for them. The bottom line is that recovery happens, and I’m grateful that our state is leading the charge against this national pandemic.”
UNITE is staffing the KY Help Call Center with specialists in Prestonsburg, Ky., and the Kentucky Justice Cabinet is funding it through anti-drug appropriations in the current budget — approximately $500,000 per year for the next two years.
Callers can speak to a specialist from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday. During non-business hours, callers may leave a message and the call center staff will get back in touch with them.
More information is available at DontLetThemDie.com and OperationUNITE.org.
The Bevin administration released data showing new teachers enrolling in the defined contribution retirement plan, a 401(a) plan, can be wealthier at retirement than if they began in the defined benefits plan currently in law.
The estimate shows that a new teacher starting at age 24 and working until age 61 will start retirement with $1.59 million. If reinvested, this could translate into a payout of $5,400 per month with a yearly increase of 1.4 percent for inflation. This will also leave $876,000 for the teacher to pass on to family or charity. In contrast, the same teacher retiring at 37 years enrolled in the defined benefit plan currently in place would receive approximately $5,400 per month for life with no benefit to pass on to family or charity.
“New teachers who fully fund their new defined contribution retirement plan can retire with a substantial retirement benefit over which they will have complete control. The benefit can be a monthly payment or a large amount to satisfy an urgent need or desire. Plus, to the extent that funds are not used during retirement, money can be transferred to a surviving spouse, other family members, or charity,” said State Budget Director John Chilton. “Teachers and all public employees will have the comfort of knowing that a fully funded defined contribution plan can contribute significantly to a secure retirement.”
The defined contribution calculation above is based on 18 percent of payroll, for 37 years, invested at an expected 7.5 percent rate of return – the investment assumptions that the Teachers Retirement System currently uses in its projections. The calculation also assumes income replacement at 92 percent and a post-retirement investment rate of return at four percent for 30 years. If the teacher chooses to reduce the income replacement amount to 80 percent, which is the rate financial advisors recommend to maintain equivalent lifestyle, he or she would draw $4,700 per month with $1.435 million left to pass on to family or charity.
Both the defined contribution and defined benefits calculations are based off the current salary schedule published by Franklin County Public Schools for Rank II teachers with a starting salary of $42,000.
Critics of the “Keeping the Promise” plan argue that teacher recruitment will be negatively affected by the proposed pension reform, but the data provided directly refutes this talking point. “Keeping the Promise” will save Kentucky’s pension systems while simultaneously providing a stable financial foundation for incoming, current and retired teachers and public servants.
Gov. Matt Bevin congratulated local officials and executives from Logan Aluminum Inc. and its parent companies today on the opening of the aluminum plant’s phase I expansion in Logan County, as well as the groundbreaking of phase II of the project.
Together the expansions represent about $407.6 million in new investments, which are creating about 250 full-time jobs at the sprawling mill in southwest Kentucky.
“Logan Aluminum is a standard-bearer of growth and foresight in its industry, and we are grateful for its decision to expand in Kentucky,” said Gov. Bevin. “Logan Aluminum is no stranger to diversification, making large-scale investments to increase beverage-can sheet production, while simultaneously meeting an ever-increasing demand for automotive-grade aluminum sheet metal. Because of companies like Logan Aluminum, Kentucky is becoming recognized as the engineering and manufacturing center of excellence in America. We look forward to seeing how this company will continue benefitting the communities in and around Logan County.”
Officials today cut the ribbon on phase I of the expansion, a project originally announced in 2015. Logan Aluminum’s $240 million investment expanded the recycling/new ingot casting capabilities. A new 280,000-square-foot building will produce approximately 600 million pounds of cast ingot annually. The investment also increased capacities of its rolling mills, scalping and pre-heating operations. The company announced an additional $42.6 million investment would prepare the plant to manufacture thicker-gauge aluminum for other products including automotive sheet. The Phase I is creating approximately 190 jobs.
This past May, the company announced the project’s second phase, a $125 million, 65,000-square-foot cold rolling mill expected to create 60 full-time jobs. With the official start of construction underway today, the new mill will supplement existing cold rolling capacity by Spring 2019. The expansion will add capacity for both beverage can stock and heavier gauge rolled sheet for use in automotive body and structural panels.
“Almost two years ago to the day, we held our groundbreaking for the new DC4 Recycle Facility, and now we are here today for the ceremonial ribbon cutting of DC4, and for the groundbreaking of Logan’s new Cold Mill – CM4,” Logan Aluminum Plant Manger Ken Perdue said. “It’s an exciting time for aluminum and it’s a really exciting time for aluminum in Kentucky. It’s really happening here!”
Logan Aluminum began production in 1983 and is a joint venture between Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc., headquartered in Louisville, and Novelis Inc., based in Atlanta. The facility accounts for about 45 percent of North American aluminum beverage can production.
Tri-Arrows is a subsidiary of Tri-Arrows Aluminum Holdings Inc. (TAAH). TAAH was established in 2011, and is 75 percent owned by UACJ Corp., 20 percent by Sumitomo Corp., three percent by Itochu Metals Corp. and two percent by Itochu Corp.
Novelis was founded in 2005 when it spun off Alcan Inc., a Canadian mining and aluminum manufacturer. Novelis was acquired by Indian company Hindalco Industries in 2007 and is now part of the Aditya Birla Group.
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, of Hopkinsville, praised Logan Aluminum’s dedication to excellence and their commitment to the commonwealth.
“I am excited to congratulate Logan Aluminum on the completion of the Phase I expansion,” said Sen. Westerfield. “As we celebrate the groundbreaking of Phase II, I want to thank the company for investing over $400 million into our region, creating over 200 new Kentucky jobs. I look forward to the final completion of this project as Logan Aluminum continues to celebrate its successes.”
Rep. Jason Petrie, of Elkton, noted the company’s long history of success and continuous growth.
“Logan Aluminum has been a pillar of the Russellville business community for 34 years,” said Rep. Petrie, who serves on the Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee. “I congratulate Logan on their tremendous success with this exciting expansion and look forward to the nearly 250 jobs they are offering to the people of Logan County and surrounding communities.”
Logan County Judge-Executive Logan Chick expressed appreciation for Logan Aluminum’s continued investment and job creation in Logan County.
“Logan Aluminum is an outstanding corporate citizen, and we appreciate their faith and confidence in Logan County,” Judge-Executive Chick said.
Lewisburg Mayor Teddy Harper said the operation has a substantial impact on the community.
“Logan Aluminum’s continued growth and success means a great deal to Lewisburg,” Mayor Harper said. “Their world-class operation and employment helps the entire area.”
Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton said the region is fortunate to have Logan Aluminum providing employment opportunities.
“The presence of Logan Aluminum benefits Russellville and the rest of southcentral Kentucky,” Mayor Stratton said. “We are blessed to have a top-notch company of their quality in our community. We wish them continued success going forward.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $5.2 million for phase I and $6.5 million for phase II 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.
Additionally, KEDFA approved Logan Aluminum for up to $1.8 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) for phase I and up to $1.5 million for phase II. KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
Logan Aluminum 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 year 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
