Kentucky officials announced investment in several workforce initiatives. The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation approved funding for training 675 workers at Summit Polymers in Mt. Sterling. It’s part of roughly $19 million in funding and credits the BSSC approved this year for 104 Kentucky facilities to train more than 42,000 workers.
Governor Andy Beshear said he can attest to the importance of the program and its benefit to the economy.
“As it's one of the talking points we have with companies that are looking at Kentucky. When we are talking about not just how to bring them workforce, but ultimately how to train them,” Beshear said. “This is one of the most popular programs, and we are really proud of it. And it certainly benefits the people of Kentucky.”
The BSSC Board of Directors grants cash reimbursements for occupational and skills training of Kentucky businesses. They also offer a Skills Training Investment Credit program which gives state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs.
Beshear said the allocation and those like it cannot be understated because not only do they help draw in big business and industry, they also improve Kentuckians as individuals.
“Equipping our workforce is a huge part of our mission to build a better Kentucky. And we are making great progress thanks to this important support through the Bluegrass State Skill Corporation,” Beshear said.
Types of operations that qualified for this round of incentives include manufacturing, agribusiness, nonretail service or technology, headquarters operations, state-licensed hospital operations, or any form of energy production.