AGP Executive Report

Public Safety & Local Infrastructure: Bowling Green Police is renovating a former Sherwood’s Guns building into a new East Precinct on Shive Lane, a project expected to improve response times; the city bought the site for $3.1M and awarded a $500K+ renovation contract to Windsor Construction. Food Supply Chain: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, adding Great Value organic blueberries and triple berry blend plus Trader Joe’s frozen organic mixed berry blend, sold in Kentucky and many other states—consumers are urged not to eat and to return for refunds. Energy & Economic Development: Data center plans are heating up in Frankfort and Lexington as lawmakers weigh rules and incentives; Lexington leaders are set to hear public input Oct. 6 before drafting local regulations. Manufacturing & Jobs: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods says it will cut 168 NJ jobs and shift frozen-food production to Kentucky, with a new corporate office planned for early 2027. Industry Policy Watch: Kentucky hemp THC producers are bracing for a federal ban that could upend the market, with operators warning even low-milligram caps would effectively end some product lines.

Hemp & Regulation: Kentucky’s Cornbread Hemp says a proposed federal “hemp THC” cap of 0.4 mg would effectively shut down the business, warning lawmakers the limit would wipe out even some non-impairing products. Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded a recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people and hospitalized six; Kentucky is among the affected states. Manufacturing & Jobs: Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods plans to cut 168 jobs at its New Jersey plant and shift production to Kentucky, with a new corporate office planned for early 2027. Forestry & Agriculture Tech: UK entomologist Lynne Rieske-Kinney is developing RNA-based pest control targeting emerald ash borer and southern pine beetle, aiming for a more targeted alternative to insecticides. Community & Economic Development: Bowling Green Area Chamber honored 29 businesses at its Targeted Business Awards, citing $178M in investment and 740 new jobs across South Central Kentucky. Public Funding: Gov. Beshear announced $21.9M in FEMA reimbursements for Kentucky communities and utilities tied to multiple disaster years. Workforce/Training: Nelson County’s UP Center officially opened after renovations, bringing back CTE programs like automotive, welding, IT, and carpentry.

Diesel Relief Push for Farmers: Kentucky Ag Commissioner Jonathan Shell asked Gov. Andy Beshear to temporarily allow untaxed, dyed diesel on public roads to blunt sky-high fuel costs hitting the 2026 fall harvest. Power & Industry: Big Rivers Electric told regulators it plans to keep its coal and natural gas plants running past 2050, betting on reliability upgrades instead of retirement. Data Center Backlash at Frankfort: Lawmakers heard concerns from across Kentucky about hyperscale data centers—especially farmland loss, ratepayer protections, transparency, and tax breaks. Road Work That Hits Commuters: KYTC is accelerating a Twin Bridges traffic crossover in Henderson, with lane changes starting Monday and a monthlong repair tied to damage found in a support beam. Ag Research in the Field: Kentucky State University reported third-year results on biochar for soybean soils, finding small nutrient upticks but limited overall change so far. Workforce & Solar Jobs: Perry County leaders hosted a hiring-focused event tied to a planned 80-megawatt Bright Mountain Solar project promising about 200 local jobs. Manufacturing Jobs in Rural KY: Speed Kentucky announced a new UTV facility in Owsley County, targeting 60 jobs. Food Safety Recall: Ineligible Colombia-made potato chips with chicharrón were recalled after showing up in U.S. retail.

Workforce & Training: Barren County launched the CPR Works Initiative, a TVA Workforce Invest-funded program for people 90+ days into recovery, pairing recovery life skills with a 36-hour employer-soft-skills academy and career pathways at Southcentral Kentucky CTC. Freight & Infrastructure: Louisville is rolling out a Freight Mobility Action Plan to steer trucks onto routes that fit their loads, improve clearances (including the “can opener” low-clearance CSX bridge area), and use traffic-calming where trucks don’t belong. Retail & Local Economy: Publix held a sneak peek for its first Owensboro store, highlighting partnerships with the Tri-State Food Bank; a second Owensboro location is under construction. Energy & Utilities: Kentucky Power plans an open house on Muskie Data Center transmission improvements in Boyd County. Public Policy & Compliance: Kentucky agriculture commissioner Jonathan Shell urged Gov. Beshear to pause restrictions on untaxed diesel for farmers. Health & Safety: CDC reported measles cases rising to 3,887 nationwide as of Oct. 1, with Kentucky among reporting jurisdictions. Legal & Courts: A federal judge dismissed a $1B coal export terminal lawsuit against Oakland, citing bankruptcy-related court discretion. Education: Kentucky State University’s Board of Regents academic affairs committee will consider an Agricultural Business Data Science certificate.

Fuel Relief Push: Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner Jonathan Shell is urging Gov. Andy Beshear to declare an energy emergency and temporarily allow untaxed, dyed diesel on public roads to protect the 2026 fall harvest as diesel prices squeeze farmers. Data Center Backlash: At a Frankfort listening session, Kentuckians demanded limits and protections as lawmakers weigh the impact of hyperscale data centers, including electricity and water concerns and long tax breaks under HB 775. Flood Insurance Gap: A new report highlights how only 2.1% of properties in the 2022 Kentucky flood areas had federal flood insurance, far below the risk level—underscoring a major coverage gap. Aviation Safety/Utilities: Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport won $1.75M for water supply expansion and fire hydrants, plus safety upgrades tied to planned infrastructure work. Manufacturing Demand Matching: Reshore Technologies launched a platform to connect U.S. import demand with domestic manufacturers using real import data and production capabilities. Nuclear Education: Lewis County will host a come-and-go nuclear energy education fair Saturday for residents to meet experts and learn about safety and economic opportunities. Health/Drugs: Kentucky is part of a multistate push for court approval of a $400M Sandoz settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing.

Energy & Investment: Kentucky is watching a major South Korea–U.S. energy push as Trump touts up to $200B for eight nuclear plants, a Texas gas project, and an Alaska LNG pipeline—while Seoul says the LNG decision still isn’t final. Data Centers & Power Planning: Kentucky lawmakers and local officials are wrestling with how to site and regulate hyperscale data centers without overloading the grid or shifting costs to existing ratepayers; Mercer County rejected data-center zoning near a coal plant, and Frankfort backed a $7B data center plan. Local Land-Use Fight: Lexington residents pushed back on a proposed 10-story student housing complex near UK, citing affordability and neighborhood disruption. Workforce & Industry Growth: Owensboro named Emily Lester director of marketing and special projects, and Lexington highlighted pharma/life-sciences growth with a new BCTC advisory council. Food Safety: Raw milk cheese recalls expanded after an E. coli outbreak sickened 13 people. Agriculture & Education: UK students collected eclipse data for NASA, and Farm Bureau Ag Day brought rural/ag learning to Trimble County fourth graders.

Energy & Investment: Trump unveiled South Korea’s U.S. investment plans tied to lower tariffs, including a Texas gas-fired power plant, eight nuclear plants, and an Alaska LNG project—moves that could reshape Kentucky’s power and construction pipeline. Freight & Safety: Kentucky ranked 8th for fatal interstate large-truck crashes (2020-2024), underscoring ongoing pressure on logistics safety along major corridors like I-65. Public Health & Food Supply: A nationwide recall hit raw milk cheese after an E. coli outbreak sickened 13 people across nine states, including Kentucky—another reminder of risk management for dairy producers and retailers. Weather & Infrastructure: Kentucky Mesonet added its 87th site near Owensboro, expanding real-time weather and soil monitoring for farmers and emergency planning. Manufacturing Jobs: Speed Kentucky will open a $1.47M UTV facility in Owsley County, creating 60 full-time jobs. Consumer Pressure: Consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low as prices squeeze households ahead of midterms, while gas prices stayed volatile in Kentucky counties. Agriculture: USDA reported a big weekly rise in broiler sets, pointing to higher production ahead. Policy & Data Centers: Mercer County officials rejected a data-center zoning amendment, adding to the fight over how hyperscale projects affect rural infrastructure.

Defense & Manufacturing: Raytheon won a $247.1M sole-source contract to produce, upgrade and overhaul Phalanx close-in weapon systems for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, with about a third of the work in Louisville through 2030. Weather & Agriculture Tech: Daviess County cut the ribbon on a new Kentucky Mesonet station, adding real-time weather and soil data for farmers, emergency managers and the public. Veterans & Healthcare Facilities: Bowling Green opened the Robert E. Spiller Veterans Center, a new 80,000-square-foot skilled nursing facility with 60 beds and 152 jobs. Food Safety: Graziers raw milk cheeses were recalled nationwide after an E. coli outbreak sickened 13 people, including Kentucky cases. Housing & Consumer Finance: Kentucky Realtors reported August 2026 sales volume of $1.33B (down 14.9% YoY) while median price rose to $285,000. Public Policy & Elections: A new AP-KFF poll finds most rural voters say Trump’s healthcare policies haven’t helped their communities, even among MAHA supporters. Community & Local Economy: Kentucky’s Ag Tag Program raised $941,630 in 2026, topping $2.8M since 2024.

Transportation Funding: U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers announced an $85M INFRA grant for Somerset’s Northern Bypass, bringing total federal support to $167M and clearing the way for the next development phase on the 8-mile route. Public Works: Louisville’s KY 864 Beulah Church Road widening will expand from two to five lanes in phases, with detours and at least one long closure expected to last about 18 months. Ag & Community Safety: Kentucky’s Ag Education Week and National Farm Safety and Health Week highlighted year-round farm safety, including grain-bin prevention after a Ballard County death. Local Agriculture Innovation: Kentucky State University rolled out pawpaw outreach across Kentucky and Ohio, drawing thousands and sharing growing, processing, and marketing guidance. Education Leadership: Warren County Public Schools named Dr. Pauletha Butts principal of Summit View Elementary, citing past instructional and culture gains at Alvaton Elementary. Energy Workforce: The National Gas Rodeo & Expo crowned overall champions from PG&E and Fabick Cat at Turfway Park in Florence. Food Safety: FDA/CDC investigations continue into a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese, prompting nationwide recalls. State Economic Signals: Kentucky State also showcased Ag Roundup programming for about 1,600 students across seven counties.

Data Centers & Local Control: Scott County Fiscal Court extended a moratorium on new data centers through March 13, 2027, giving residents more time to weigh a draft ordinance after public pushback. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA issued a nationwide recall of Sierra Nevada Graziers raw-milk cheeses tied to a multistate E. coli outbreak that sickened 13 people and hospitalized eight, including Kentucky. Agriculture & Distribution: Scott County Schools’ summer feeding program distributed 323,000+ meals, with USDA Sun Meals reimbursements totaling about $1.4 million. Energy Costs: States moved to blunt high gas and diesel prices as AAA reported national averages around $4.48 regular and $6.45 diesel, with Kentucky drivers still feeling the squeeze. Fraud Prevention: Kentucky AG Griffin’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit kicked off with 800+ registrants, focusing on scams, benefit fraud, crypto fraud, and robocalls. Music Economy: Gov. Beshear created a Governor’s Office of Music to support Kentucky artists, venues, and festivals, including a new Kentucky Music Industry Directory. Healthcare Policy Debate: A Kentucky-focused discussion highlighted proposed 2027 health insurance rate increases and the push for Medicare for All.

Road & Construction: KYTC crews are working on KY 90 and U.S. 31-E in Barren County, with temporary lane closures starting Sept. 30 for a culvert replacement and a longer closure planned Oct. 5, plus daytime lane impacts on U.S. 31-E for drainage, minor widening, and a new turn lane at Windy Hills Road. Food Safety: Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is recalling Graziers raw-milk cheeses (medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño Jack, Monterey Jack) after an E. coli outbreak sickened 13 people across nine states, including Kentucky. Auto Safety: About 880,000 SUVs and trucks have a factory-coated rear subframe paint defect that can strip to bare steel, accelerate corrosion, and potentially fracture rear suspension mounting areas. State Economic Development: Gov. Andy Beshear opened the Governor’s Office of Music to support Kentucky artists, venues, festivals, and music businesses, including a new kymusic.ky.gov directory. Workforce & Education: Ford is launching “Future Builders Labs” in Kentucky high schools with 3D printing, laser cutting, coding, and robotics to build skilled-trades pipelines. Local Government: Mayfield won the Kentucky League of Cities City Government of the Year award for rebuilding after the 2021 tornado destroyed municipal buildings. Retail/Logistics: BJ’s is reportedly seeking nearly $30M to expand an Orlando distribution facility into a logistics headquarters, adding jobs over five years.

Data Centers & Ethics: Carroll County residents are filing ethics complaints over a hyperscale data center deal, alleging council members voted despite conflicts tied to LG&E-KU income. Manufacturing Investment: GE Appliances is investing $1B in Louisville’s Appliance Park, expanding washer and dryer production and bringing dryer manufacturing back from Mexico, with no layoffs expected. Energy Infrastructure: Indiana received $175M in federal funding to ease a regional electricity “choke point” that spans into Kentucky, aiming to cut congestion and lower ratepayer costs. Surveillance Debate: Kentucky-linked national pushback continues over Flock-style traffic camera surveillance, with critics calling it too intrusive and supporters citing public safety. Film & Tourism: Kentucky’s film incentives are drawing more productions, including a new thriller (“The Spiral Down”) filming in Louisville and beyond. Ag Education: State officials highlighted “All In for Ag Education” in Murray, expanding access to agriculture learning. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Kentucky regular prices averaging about $4.11 for the week ending Sept. 19, with notable low points like $3.79 in Laurel County.

Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Kentucky drivers still see uneven costs: Shelby County’s lowest premium hit $4.54/gal (week ending Sept. 19), Boone County’s lone E15 station was $4.79, Kenton County’s lowest regular was $3.94, and Lincoln County’s lowest diesel was $5.69. Workforce & Visas: USCIS data shows Kentucky approved 2,268 H-2B workers tied to Kentucky worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, 2026, with a 100% approval rate in the reported dataset. State Economic Development: Gov. Andy Beshear launched a new Kentucky Office of Music to support musicians, venues, and festivals, including a new kymusic.ky.gov directory and a “Kentucky: Sounds Like Home” specialty license plate. Local Governance: Grant County’s fiscal court held a first reading on repealing the 1993 ordinance that created the solid waste board/109 Board, with board leadership pushing back on the proposed dissolution process. Transportation Updates: KYTC District 3 published its road work schedule through Oct. 2, warning of lane closures, detours, and speed reductions across south-central Kentucky. Industry & Business: Furniture Fair is moving into the former Burke Furniture site in Lexington, planning an 82,000-square-foot showroom with a December ribbon cutting.

Kentucky Music Industry: Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new Governor’s Office of Music to back musicians, venues, festivals, and related businesses, citing a $6.9B arts-and-music impact and 51,000+ jobs statewide. Energy & Waste: Rumpke opened the Estill County landfill to the public after taking over in February, aiming to address odor and trash complaints and show residents the landfill gas-to-energy and monitoring upgrades. Transportation Infrastructure: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun marked completion of I-69 Ohio River Crossing Section 3, clearing the way for the bi-state bridge work connecting Evansville to Henderson, KY. Food Safety: FDA/CDC reported an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese, with 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations, prompting recalls and consumer warnings. Workforce/Health Policy: Kentucky’s broader labor-health concerns echoed as black lung enforcement delays drew renewed attention, while Kentucky’s own policy push continues around public health and safety.

State Economic Development: Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky’s new Governor’s Office of Music, aiming to support musicians, venues, festivals, and related businesses, with reported $6.9B in arts/music economic impact and 51,000+ jobs statewide. Energy & Infrastructure: Kentucky’s fuel market stayed volatile in late September, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest regular gas at $3.43 in Daviess County and $3.54 in Muhlenberg County (week ending Sept. 19), while diesel remained higher—like $5.69 in Boyd County. Agriculture & Logistics: Superior Ag broke ground on a new Ohio River fertilizer terminal in Indiana, built to serve farmers across southwestern Indiana and northern/central Kentucky, targeting late-2026 operations. Public Safety & Policy: TikTok agreed to pay Alabama at least $100M and adopt teen time limits and other restrictions, echoing similar safety terms tied to state settlements. Business & Compliance: Ex-Kentucky Derby trainer Mick Ruis was indicted in a San Diego Navy scaffolding fraud case involving alleged small-business eligibility and contract schemes. Sports (Local Interest): Kentucky football beat South Alabama 45-21 after a second-half surge.

Social Media & Youth Safety: Alabama reached a settlement with TikTok/ByteDance, requiring at least $100M to the state and teen-focused limits like a two-hour daily cap, pauses after 15 minutes, midnight-to-6 a.m. restrictions, stronger age checks, and a less personalized feed—avoiding a first-in-the-nation trial that could have exposed platform practices. Public Health: The FDA and CDC are investigating an E. coli O26:H11 outbreak tied to Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese; 13 people in nine states are sick, including Kentucky, with hospitalizations and hemolytic uremic syndrome reported. Energy & Agriculture: Diesel prices are hitting record highs in Kentucky (AAA cites about $6.35), squeezing farmers and the food supply chain as higher fuel costs ripple from field work to trucking. Local Industry & Community: Kentucky Wesleyan College named Scott D. Sims senior director of development and alumni relations, a move aimed at strengthening fundraising and alumni engagement. Civic Recognition: Mayfield won the Kentucky League of Cities “City Government of the Year” award for its rebuilding after the 2021 tornado.