Over a million dollars has been approved to develop sites and buildings across the commonwealth, including in Rowan County. Officials said these projects will support job growth and economic development in the region.
Governor Andy Beshear announced late last month $1.1 million would be shared between Rowan and Rockcastle counties to acquire and prepare land for industrial opportunities.
“It takes hard work, it takes investment. And I was proud two budgets ago when the general assembly and the executive branch came together and agreed that we should invest. That formalized our KPDI program, the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, that recognizes that it’s great to have a big announcement where jobs are going to come, but the next company needs a site and the one after that and the one after that and we can’t rest on our laurels,” said Beshear.
Beshear said the KDPI program has helped projects in counties all over the state. So far, over $60 million in state funding has gone to support the initiative.
Governor Beshear said making these sorts of investments in the Commonwealth will revitalize the Commonwealth’s economy.
“That next investment, and it needs to come to a county that’s looking for jobs, and we want to make sure that we are investing in their sites, getting the infrastructure to them, building the roads, running the water, making sure it has the power that’s needed to run whatever business would look their way,” said Beshear.
Rowan County officials said they are optimistic about the initiative and added that these sorts of projects are what help bring prosperity to the region. The grant money will be used in partnership with the Morehead-Rowan County Industrial Development Authority. It will acquire 80 acres identified by an independent site selection consultant as having potential for future investments.