Beshear discusses state's economic development successes with Paducah Chamber

Governor Andy Beshear became the first governor to address the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday as part of their Public Policy Series.

Beshear hit on the multiple successes in the economic development realm during his time in office, noting that over the last five years, over $35 billion in private investment has come into Kentucky. He highlighted a recent development on that front in western Kentucky with the announcement of the new Global Laser Enrichment facility to be built adjacent to the former site of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant.

Beshear said that not only will jobs come as a result, but that facility could develop its own supply chain, meaning more jobs and investment in the Jackson Purchase.

Beshear also talked about the Triple Rail site in western McCracken County. Couple that with the soon-to-be-developed RiverPort West and what the Governor described as one of the best pieces of land for development in the state. He talked about the waiting for movement on that site and said he isn't very patient. He said development will happen there. Beshear said he is committed to not only bring good jobs, but good jobs "where we live."

Governor Beshear handed out grants to Paducah and McCracken County totaling more than $4 million.

The City of Paducah was presented with a grant for $3.5 million for continued work and development of the Riverfront Commons project, which will include the new riverboat excursion pier and plaza. That was money approved by the General Assembly in last year's budget.

The city was also awarded a $50,000 cybersecurity grant from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to establish a cybersecurity governance program.

The McCracken County Fiscal Court was granted $500,000 toward extending sewers at the Triple Rail site, on top of $2.5 million already being invested to prepare that site for development.    

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce hosted over three hundred people from the area for the luncheon on the stage at The Carson Center.