AGP Executive Report

Kentucky Business & Jobs: Gov. Andy Beshear announced $18.8M for 18 transportation accessibility projects, including Safe Routes to School sidewalk work in Columbia, with local governments reimbursed for 80% of costs. Small Business Incentives: Kentucky small businesses can now apply for the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit for up to $25,000 if they add net new full-time jobs and invest in qualifying equipment/technology. Education & Tech Policy: New AI rules are spreading across U.S. school districts, with some banning most student use as educators try to figure out what works. Data Centers & Community Pushback: A Kentucky family reportedly turned down a $26M data center offer, and Pikeville mayoral candidates discussed both data center plans and Flock camera concerns, promising more transparency and public input. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Florida moved to revoke Flock permits for license plate readers on state highways, citing misuse and privacy concerns. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Kentucky cities including Louisville and Lexington among the highest-reported scam locations statewide.

Aviation & Logistics: DHL has taken delivery of the first converted Boeing 777-200LR freighter for its intercontinental cargo network, with live tracking available—another sign Kentucky-area supply chains will keep leaning on widebody air freight. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Florida moved to revoke Flock license-plate-reader permits on state highway right-of-ways, citing privacy and misuse concerns; the fight is now showing up in Kentucky local politics too, with Pikeville mayoral candidates weighing data center and Flock camera worries. Energy Policy Watch: A national review of 2026 renewable siting bills found many proposals aimed to restrict projects, while most enacted measures were more permissive—researchers expect 2027 to bring even more pressure as data centers expand. Consumer Protection: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Kentucky cities including Louisville and Lexington leading state scam-report counts, while smaller cities like Lewisburg logged new online purchase losses. Workforce & Education: Kentucky CTE leaders honored Sen. Jimmy Higdon for long-running support of career and technical education, tying classroom training to the state’s future workforce needs. Kentucky Agriculture & Culture: The commonwealth mourned Wendell Berry, a longtime voice for small farms and land stewardship, who died at 92.

Food Safety: Walmart expanded an E. coli recall to Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend (10-ounce bags) sold in 16 states, including Kentucky, tied to the same Chilean supplier as earlier berry recalls; no illnesses reported for this specific product, but shoppers are urged to check lot codes. Energy & Industry: Kentucky bourbon makers are watching tariff fallout closely as Canada-U.S. trade tensions escalate, with experts warning consumers can feel the hit through higher prices and supply-chain costs. Transportation & Construction: KYTC began a new phase of I-69 mine-void stabilization near mile marker 111 in Hopkins County, shifting traffic to slow lanes while crews drill and grout abandoned workings; speed stays 55 mph. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Gov. Beshear announced $1.2M for Benton sidewalk connections to improve safe routes for pedestrians and school access. Workforce & Education: Russellville Independent Schools joined Dataseam, bringing IT training, apprenticeships, and Apple workstations tied into a statewide network supporting research and commercialization. Community & Culture: Kentucky mourns author Wendell Berry, a longtime voice for agrarian life and environmental ethics, who died at 92.

Food Safety: Walmart expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak, pulling Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz, UPC 7874211226, lot code 6040 01-6; best-if-used-by Feb. 9, 2028) shipped to select stores in 16 states including Kentucky, with no illnesses linked to this specific product lot. Public Health & Policy: Kentucky’s UK researchers are testing a “green solvent” approach to remove microplastics and nanoplastics from water, aiming to scale lab results toward real-world use. Energy Costs: Kentucky senators backed a new Public Service Commission probe into electric and natural gas rates, arguing affordability needs scrutiny. Education & Workforce Tech: Russellville Independent Schools joined Dataseam, adding Apple workstations and training tied to IT certifications and registered apprenticeships. Local Infrastructure: Gov. Beshear announced $1.2M for Benton sidewalk connections to improve safe routes for walkers and parents. Community Health Facilities: The Anchor Project in Bowling Green moved into a new construction phase for a regional mental health and substance-use intake facility. Campus & Construction: UK police urged fans to plan for heat and traffic changes for the season opener, with construction impacts around Kroger Field.

Nuclear Energy & Defense: BWX Technologies was selected to deploy its BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor tech for the U.S. Army’s Janus program, with the first deployment slated for Fort Campbell, Kentucky—another sign the Commonwealth is becoming a hub for advanced power. Data Centers & Jobs: TeraWulf told an Owensboro audience its Hancock County data center is expected to start coming online in the second half of 2027 and be fully operational the next year, projecting hundreds of jobs and more than $1.5B in state and local revenue over 15 years. Workforce & Manufacturing Training: Hopkinsville Community College celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its HOPFAME advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program, highlighting long-term partner stability and pathways into industrial maintenance roles. Small Business Incentives: Gov. Andy Beshear urged Kentucky small businesses to apply for the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit (up to $25,000 per year) by Nov. 1 to support new hires and qualifying equipment or technology investments. Education & Skills: UK’s TEK Faculty Fellows program named its 2026-27 cohort to help faculty build transdisciplinary courses tied to career-ready skills. Local Agriculture Policy: Scott County farmers weighed in on whether farm stands should be legalized through a simpler ordinance after zoning rules left the practice unclear. Community & Culture: The Louisville Orchestra launched its 2026-27 Creator Corps with two new composers, expanding neighborhood-based creation and collaboration. Industry Watch Kentucky: Kentucky bourbon demand is under pressure as broader U.S. drinking trends soften, with tariff tensions adding to the uncertainty.

Food Safety: Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend recall expanded to Kentucky and 15 other states after a Chilean supplier flagged possible E. coli O145 contamination; the affected 10-ounce bags (UPC 7874211226, lot 6040 01-6, “best if used by” Feb. 9, 2028) were tied to an earlier frozen blueberry recall. Economic Development: Gov. Andy Beshear announced nearly $5.3M in Kentucky Product Development Initiative site-development funding, including $905,336 for the Cadiz-Trigg County Industrial Development Authority to build out the I-24 Business Park gateway. Data Centers & Power: TeraWulf told an Owensboro audience its Hancock County data center could start coming online in late 2027, with full operations the next year, and projected major local tax impact. Manufacturing Jobs: GE Appliances and IUE-CWA highlighted a $1B Louisville investment to expand dryer and washer production, including shifting dryer manufacturing from Mexico to Kentucky. Public Safety & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Summersville logged one scam report in July, while Kentucky cities overall continue to report major losses from online fraud.

Manufacturing Investment: GE Appliances (Haier) and union IUE-CWA announced a $1 billion expansion at Appliance Park in Louisville, aiming to boost high-output laundry and dishwasher production and make the site the largest home appliance manufacturing hub in the U.S. Workplace Safety: A worker died in a machine-related incident at Astemo Americas’ Berea advanced auto plant, with the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance investigating. Energy & Grid: A new clean energy partnership is being framed as a way to firm up the West Virginia grid, while a Charleston church’s solar project shows how local groups are locking in long-term power costs. Agriculture Leadership: The Kentucky Soybean Association named Niki Ellis executive director, starting Jan. 1, 2027, as the checkoff organization looks to steer research, promotion, and market development. Data Centers & Taxes: Kentucky lawmakers and communities are debating whether data center tax breaks create real local benefits or get clawed back—while some areas consider moratoriums and others weigh potential windfalls. Public Health: The FDA says recalled iceberg lettuce tied to a Cyclospora outbreak is off the market and generally safe again. Business Risk: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach tied to its court case management platform, impacting Kentucky among other jurisdictions. Trade Pressure: Gov. Andy Beshear urged President Trump to rescind tariffs, arguing they’re raising costs and hitting Kentucky bourbon, coal, and farmers. Community & Growth: Mayfield hosted its first state tennis tournament in 15 years, using renovated courts and disaster-recovery momentum to draw visitors.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Gov. Beshear highlighted GE Appliances’ $1B investment in Louisville’s Appliance Park, aimed at boosting dryer output and adding new washer/dryer equipment, with union partners IUE-CWA tied to the expansion. EV Supply Chain: Astemo Americas is expanding in Berea with a $112M plan that includes new space and equipment for electric vehicle parts, while authorities are investigating a worker death in a machine-related incident at the plant. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army’s Janus program selected Kentucky’s Fort Campbell vendor BWXT for nuclear microreactors as part of a broader $2.2B effort across five bases. Workforce & Safety: Bullard and DuPont debuted a joint worker-safety collaboration at OGA 2026, pairing PPE garments with supplied-air respirators for oil & gas operations. Education & AI Skills: Hazard Community and Technical College instructors are teaching AI ethics and practical use so students can use tools without relying on them blindly. Agriculture & Food Tech: Kentucky State Fair showcased KSU research on indoor production, including aquaponics and soilless growing systems. Policy Pressure: Gov. Beshear sent Trump a letter demanding rescind of tariffs, saying they’re hitting Kentucky agriculture, bourbon, and coal. Local Utilities: A power outage affected about 3,000 Lexington customers in the Eastland Parkway area, with traffic signals dark at several intersections.

Amazon Antitrust/Consumer Protection: The FTC and 22 state attorneys general, including Kentucky, sued Amazon over allegations it secretly inflated search ad prices for more than seven years, using an “invented auction participant” to drive up costs for over a million brands and sellers. Energy Affordability: The Kentucky Public Service Commission opened an affordability investigation after data showed residential electricity costs rose 21.8% from 2020 to 2025, with a technical conference planned next year and public comments due by late September. Defense Manufacturing: Paligen Aerospace & Defense received a $30.84 million modification tied to the U.S. Army’s domestic TNT production facility in Graham, pushing cumulative contract value to $435 million with completion estimated for Feb. 15, 2029. Food & Hunger: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland reported food insecurity worsened in Graves County, rising from 18% (2023) to 19.6% (2024), with child food insecurity climbing to 26%. Local Industry/Jobs: MegaFit Meals announced a $9.25 million Marshall County expansion expected to add 40 jobs. Data Centers & Zoning: Winchester approved a one-year moratorium on data center development inside city limits while it studies impacts and gathers community input. Internet Access: Lyon County Judge-Executive Jaime Green-Smith said Spectrum’s fiber build is 68% complete and expected to finish by year-end, with some work possibly spilling into early 2027. Bourbon Waste-to-Value: UK researchers pressure-cooked bourbon stillage into hydrochar for supercapacitors, reporting up to 25x energy storage gains and strong cycle performance. Agriculture/Community: Kentucky mourns Wendell Berry, the agrarian writer and farmer who died at 92.

Defense & Energy: The U.S. Army’s $2.2B Janus program picked five vendors to build nuclear microreactors at five bases, including BWXT at Fort Campbell, aiming to keep installations powered even if the grid fails. Agriculture & Food Safety: Kentucky cattle farmers are pushing back on President Trump’s idea to let ranchers process and sell their own meat locally, saying fewer hurdles are fine but food safety can’t slip. Manufacturing & Workforce: Kentucky State University engineering tech students landed internships in advanced manufacturing and public utilities, working on real automation and monitoring projects. Consumer & Retail: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” schemes that inflated ad prices, with Kentucky listed among the plaintiffs. Public Health & Supply Chain: A tofu recall hit 29 states after ink from packaging was found to may have migrated into product. Local Economy: Barren County kept its property tax rate at 12.2 cents per $100 and adjusted senior housing lease agreements. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest diesel in Clinton County at $5.19/gal for the week ending Aug. 22.

Industrial Leadership: Meredith Wilson has been named executive director of the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority, with a background in land acquisition, industrial revenue bond incentives, and K-12 talent programs. Local Growth Planning: McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer outlined a Growth and Opportunity Plan built around working groups for water, housing, transportation, workforce, power, public safety, healthcare, land use, and finance—aimed at keeping up with major industrial expansion. Energy & Utilities: Kentucky’s Public Service Commission opened an affordability probe after electricity costs rose about 22% from 2020 to 2025, with a technical conference planned for 2027. Food Safety: Hodo Chili Crisp Lightly Fried Tofu was recalled in 29 states after ink from packaging may have migrated into the product. Consumer Tech/Regulation: The FTC and 22 state AGs sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing, with Kentucky included among the plaintiffs. Transportation/Infrastructure: KYTC named Jason Looper chief district engineer for District 1, covering 12 western Kentucky counties. Public Finance: Scott County lowered 2026 property tax rates and approved reimbursement for pad-ready sites at Lanes Run Business Park. Agriculture & Culture: Wendell Berry, the Kentucky-born writer and farmer, died at 92.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states, including Kentucky, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing in Sponsored Products/Brands/Display auctions, claiming advertisers were misled about “second-price” bidding and overcharged by more than $20B. Kentucky Energy Costs: The Kentucky Public Service Commission opened an affordability probe after residential electricity prices rose 21.8% since 2020, with attention on factors tied to fossil fuels and data centers. Hemp Rules in Flux: A House funding bill could delay a federal THC cap on hemp-derived products until Dec. 11, keeping gummies and drinks legal longer while lawmakers debate regulation. Industrial Growth Leadership: Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority named Meredith Wilson executive director, tasking her with recruiting and expanding employers across Franklin and Simpson counties. EV Supply Chain: Louisville-based Anthro Energy broke ground on a domestic electrolyte plant aimed at supporting solid-state battery production. Agr Safety: Harvest season coverage highlights farm safety and road-sharing tips for motorists and equipment operators. Local Business/Community: Visit ShelbyKY won the Kentucky State Fair “Pride of the Counties” Best Exhibit Award. Food Recall: FDA issued a Class I recall for Whole Foods Mild Guacamole Dip over possible salmonella contamination sold in Kentucky and other states. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker flagged Kentucky cities like Cave City and Forest Park with recent scam reports.

Nuclear Power & Defense: The U.S. Army’s Janus program has picked five companies for up to $2.2B to build and run nuclear microreactors at five bases, including Fort Campbell in Kentucky (BWXT Advanced Technologies), with the first reactor targeted to start operating in September 2028. Local Business & Jobs: Spark Dealer Group says it will acquire Louisville Outdoor Turf Products, a regional outdoor power equipment dealer, with a planned close in Q3 2026. Energy Policy: Kentucky’s House Speaker David Osborne urged lawmakers to judge data center tax incentives by whether they deliver a return for taxpayers, not in isolation—while Gov. Beshear has called for ending those incentives. Tech, Environment & Community: A report highlights growing noise pollution from data centers, pointing to xAI’s campus expansion near the Memphis-Mississippi border as a sign of what Kentucky communities may face. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker updates show small-town scam activity continues across the region, with multiple Kentucky-area cities appearing in low-but-present counts. Social Media Regulation: Meta’s multistate settlement over addictive design for teens includes limits like two hours per day and a night ban, with Kentucky listed among the states involved.

EPA Fight: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Biden-era EPA air quality rule, arguing it would raise costs for manufacturers, utilities and farmers and could stall new projects. Manufacturing Push: Apple and Corning are expanding in Central Kentucky—Corning’s Harrodsburg glass operation will add 200 permanent production jobs and grow engineering roles, plus a new innovation center tied to future hardware. Workforce Training: Kentucky Recovery Vocational (KRV) in Russell Springs hit 500 workforce certificates, partnering with MSSC to train people for production jobs. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy price reports show Kentucky fuel remains uneven by county—Taylor regular hit $3.47 (lowest), Greenup diesel $4.99 (lowest), and Campbell County diesel as low as $4.87. Local Fraud Alerts: BBB Scam Tracker updates show Kentucky cities with ongoing online purchase scams, including Burnside (two reports, $84.98 total) and broader statewide concerns about fraud losses. Regulatory/Industry Context: FCC fee changes and a court ruling affecting lowest unit rates for certain political uses could impact broadcasters’ planning.

Energy & Fuel Prices: Diesel hit a new low in Kentucky’s Lewis County at $5.09/gallon for the week ending Aug. 22, with the county average at $5.19 and the statewide average rising to $5.15. Public Health & Coal: Black lung advocates are pushing the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to lift its hold on a 2024 silica dust rule after new data showed projected disease rates as high as 32.5% for miners with 25+ years underground—levels not seen since the late 1970s. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data put Olive Hill among Kentucky cities tied for 57th in July with one reported scam, while national fraud losses continue to climb. Kentucky Agriculture & Youth: Franklin County High School FFA students won the Kentucky State Fair School Garden Cooking Challenge, and the school’s wildlife team placed fourth statewide. Community & Inclusion: Marshall County opened a new Miracle League playground at Mike Miller Park, backed by local and regional support, including a TVA donation for fencing.

Medical Cannabis Expansion: Kentucky hit a major retail milestone as the 24th licensed dispensary opened in Lebanon, putting half of the state’s 48 authorized dispensaries into operation. Agriculture & Research Funding: Sen. Mitch McConnell highlighted $26.7 million in federal support for UK’s Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit, aimed at boosting farming and livestock research. Food Security: Feeding America’s latest data shows Kentucky’s Heartland is seeing rising need, with 211,370 people facing food insecurity in 2024—up 23,200 year over year. Public Safety & Utilities: Kentucky’s PSC opened an investigation into affordability concerns tied to rising electricity and natural gas costs. Infrastructure & Commuting: KYTC District 3 released its Aug. 28–Sept. 4 traffic impact plan, including major downtown and highway closures that will affect drivers and commercial transport. Local Business & Jobs: A Kentucky Career Center job fair is set for Sept. 1. Community Agriculture: Franklin County FFA students brought home top honors at the Kentucky State Fair, including first place in the School Garden Cooking Challenge.