Beshear brings county more than $600,000 for economic development, park improvements

Gov. Andy Beshear was in Ohio County Tuesday morning with $635,180 in grant funds for economic development upgrades and park improvements in the county.

“We are making investments across Kentucky, ensuring that the economic win streak we are seeing reaches every family and every community,” said Gov Beshear. “The funding we announced today will bring new growth and opportunities to the people of Ohio County.”

Beshear brought checks totaling more than half a million dollars through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative and the Pilot Product Development Initiative programs to help with upgrades to the Bluegrass Crossings Business Centre. Pioneered by the Kentucky Legislature two budgets ago and formed through a partnership between the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, PDI provides competitive grants to Kentucky Economic Development organizations and local governments to supplement site and building improvement projects. Through this program, the state has committed over $222,500 to the Ohio County Fiscal Court and $300,000 to the Ohio County Industrial Development Authority, Inc. to help with improvements at the industrial site located on Old Liberty Church Road in Beaver Dam.

“These investments are bringing jobs here, which adds to the economy of our county,” said Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston. “The Governor and the state General Assembly have been very good to us here. It means a lot to us to have these jobs and to have this economic impact on our community.”

Ohio County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Jason Chinn said the money will be used to fund the electrical upgrades already made at the site and will also be used toward a new road into the park to open access to its “most visible parcels” which can be seen from the intersection of Interstate 165 and the Western Kentucky Parkway.

“Right now they are just getting bush hogged and rolling some hay on but they are our most visible and probably our most opportunist parcels we have left so this new road is going to open that up,” Chinn said.

In 2023, the Western Kentucky Distilling Company opened in the park with a $30 million investment and 35 new jobs. Beshear said the funds will help increase development in the industrial park.

“With these investments, we are seeing new opportunities come into Ohio County,” the governor said. “With these site improvements, we hope to land even more businesses like this one in Ohio County,” Beshear said.

Gov. Beshear also announced two city parks within the county would receive funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Land and Water Conservation Fund is a program that improves parks and outdoor spaces in Kentucky.

“It helps build playgrounds and walking trails in places where we make memories with our families,” he said. “It is one of my favorite programs to highlight, so today we’ve got some good news for Ohio County.”

The City of Hartford was awarded $87,680 to use to help install playground equipment, resurface a basketball court and renovate two baseball fields at Ellis Park.

The City of Centertown was awarded $25,000 to use to help add swing sets, a pavilion and walking trails to the city park.

“You ought to be proud. In Ohio county you have a whole lot going on – more economic development, more interest, more calls every day and great locations for businesses,” Beshear said. “Two parcels of property that you all have or are looking at are some of the best in the state.”