AGP Executive Report

Consumer Protection: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman says the commonwealth is set to receive about $10M in debt relief and restitution as part of a $694M multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over predatory auto loans, with new consumer protections and “off ramps” starting Nov. 2. Energy Leadership: Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón was elected chair of the Southern States Energy Board for 2026–27, highlighting grid resilience and generation upgrades. Workforce & Industry: Kentucky Career Center plans a larger job fair Sept. 24 at the McCracken County Public Library, listing openings from logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and banking. Ag Education & Safety: Jessamine County fifth graders got an ATV emergency safety demo for All In for Ag Week, while Lawrence County students will teach younger kids farm safety at Ag Day at the Fairgrounds Sept. 22. Manufacturing: Flottman Company expanded in Northern Kentucky with a Heidelberg SM 102-2-P press to boost high-precision commercial and regulated-sector printing capacity. Local Development: Kenton County broke ground on the 225-acre Fox Ridge Park, converting the former Fox Run Golf Course into trails, climbing, and a fishing pond. Healthcare Business: Onco360® was selected as a participating specialty pharmacy for Bristol Myers Squibb’s ZENBEXUS™ for multiple myeloma.

Immigration & Housing: An AP analysis finds many Venezuelans leaving Miami for Utah suburbs, drawn by newer housing, job prospects, and growing immigrant communities—an economic development signal Kentucky planners will recognize. Energy & Costs: AAA/EIA data puts Kentucky regular gas around $4.17 a gallon (up sharply year over year), while diesel averages about $6.44—pressure that’s hitting Kentucky trucking and livestock. Infrastructure Fight: Boone County’s sewage pipeline dispute is headed to the Kentucky Supreme Court after courts backed Sanitation District 1’s eminent-domain plan affecting a Burlington woman’s land. Construction & Equipment: Develon expands in the Southeast with three new full-service dealerships, boosting parts, rentals, and service for contractors across Central Kentucky. Local Government & Business: Kentucky lawmakers grilled business advocates on the state’s housing shortage, framed as a drag on job growth and workforce attraction. Kentucky Horse Racing: Churchill Downs’ “Downs After Dark” saw a multi-jockey crash and the humanely euthanized horse Lutkenhaus. Water Law: A guide breaks down groundwater rules farmers face, highlighting how state systems shape what’s legal to pump and when.

Kentucky Housing & Workforce: Kentucky lawmakers grilled business advocates on the state’s housing crunch, with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce warning the shortage could threaten economic development and arguing the gap is tied to slower homebuilding since the Great Recession. Churchill Downs Safety: Downs After Dark at Churchill Downs saw a multi-rider crash that sent several jockeys to UofL Hospital and led to the humanely euthanized of a horse after a catastrophic leg injury. Road Construction Impacts: KYTC District 3 laid out south-central Kentucky lane restrictions and traffic shifts through Sept. 25, including widening work and alternating lanes that could slow commutes for drivers and commercial traffic. Medical Cannabis Industry: Kentucky’s medical marijuana businesses gathered in Lexington for the Kentucky Cannabis and Wellness Expo, pushing education as the program continues to roll out statewide. Local Business Expansion: Axiom HRS announced it’s entering the Nashville market with payroll and HR outsourcing options for growing employers.

Kentucky Politics & Policy: Gov. Andy Beshear says the next Democratic presidential nominee should be a Democratic governor, pointing to Kentucky’s leadership as a model. U.S. Immigration: A detained Kentucky-area man released after “Operation Midway Blitz” says freedom didn’t end his legal limbo, with deportation still hanging over him. Defense & Federal Presence: Paducah’s Chamber is sending a near-90 person D.C. delegation to press the Department of Energy on cleanup and reindustrialization priorities tied to the Paducah site. Medical Cannabis: The Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance held its first expo in Lexington, touting rapid market growth and offering $25 patient certifications on site. Manufacturing & Industry: Bowling Green Assembly opened to the public to mark 45 years as the Corvette’s exclusive manufacturing home. Transportation & Construction: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans shoulder-widening work in Pembroke starting Sept. 21, with alternating traffic expected. Horse Racing: Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale Book 3 resumed with strong seven-figure results, while Churchill Downs reported a Downs After Dark crash that sent multiple jockeys to the hospital and led to a horse euthanized. Community & Workforce: Special Olympics Kentucky Truck Pull in McCracken County raised more than $35,000 for local athletes.

Kentucky Cannabis Industry: The Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance held its first expo in Lexington, offering on-site patient certifications and panels for the state’s growing medical market (about 26,000 patients; 24 dispensaries opened in the past year). Education Funding: Seven Kentucky school projects are stalled because districts are still waiting on the final 50% of promised state money, with lawmakers urged to deliver about $102.9 million so construction can finish and schools can open on schedule. Bourbon Industry: The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame announced its 24th class of inductees in Louisville, spotlighting major contributors to Kentucky’s $10.6B bourbon economy. Legal/Tech Oversight: Kentucky AG officials briefed lawmakers on the state’s Meta settlement, including a guaranteed $358.16M and potential additional funds tied to conditions. Public Safety/Policy: A Bourbon County judge sentenced former Gov. Matt Bevin to 60 days after his Sept. 3 arrest, with the ruling appealable and possible relief tied to “demonstration of improvement.”

Energy & Logistics: Diesel hit a record $6.45 a gallon nationally, squeezing truckers and Kentucky’s freight-heavy economy—costs are expected to ripple into agriculture and everyday prices. Nuclear & Materials: The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking industry input on moving surplus critical minerals from federal cleanup sites, including Paducah, for manufacturing, advanced tech, alternative energy and defense. Manufacturing & Industry Events: Birla Carbon will highlight sustainable carbon solutions for tires and mechanical rubber goods at Global Polymer Summit 2026 in Louisville. Food Safety: Saratoga Potato Chips recalled J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar bags in Kentucky and several states due to an undeclared soy allergen; a separate jalapeño recall was upgraded to Class I over Salmonella risk. Local Infrastructure: Paducah held a grand opening for its Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project, funded through a federal BUILD grant, adding walking paths, green space, and a riverfront pier/plaza. Workforce/Business: Lexington Herald-Leader layoffs reportedly left journalists in limbo, underscoring pressure on Kentucky newsrooms.

Data Center Policy: Hopkinsville planners kept tightening draft zoning rules for large-scale data centers ahead of a Sept. 28 public hearing, including changes to setbacks, clustered-facility limits, and modular data center guidance. Energy & Logistics Costs: Record-high diesel prices are squeezing Kentucky’s truckers and livestock producers as supply-chain strain and Middle East disruptions push fuel toward $6.50 a gallon. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a multistate jalapeño recall affecting 27 states to a Class I action over Salmonella risk. Attorney General & Privacy: Kentucky’s legal fight over pharmacy benefit manager practices got a boost as the 6th Circuit sent the PBM conspiracy case back to federal court. Public Safety & Health Infrastructure: Northern Kentucky broke ground on a new medical examiner’s office and crime lab facility, aiming to restore regional autopsy services by early 2028. Manufacturing Growth: Camco Chemical broke ground on a 130,000-square-foot Northern Kentucky distribution expansion. Workforce & Training Grants: Gov. Beshear announced $6.6M in AMLER funds for Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties, including hospital equipment and manufacturing/welding training. Transportation Incident: A fatal I-64 crash in Woodford County killed a Versailles woman after her SUV struck a tractor-trailer.

Auto Manufacturing: Ford is moving ahead with a new $1 billion paint shop at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, aiming to replace the current facility and boost cleaner, more efficient coating while supporting environmental sustainability. Retail & Commercial Development: Canewood Commons in Frankfort Pike’s area is under construction as a $3 million, 7,200-square-foot retail center, with Jersey Mike’s leading the tenant lineup and space designed to flex for additional storefronts and medical users. Workforce & Economy: Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary August unemployment rate held at 4.7%, with the labor force and employment both rising, according to KYSTATS. Education & Community Programs: McCracken County schools approved LifeWise Academy for three more schools, expanding “moral instruction” options under Kentucky’s 2025 process. Agriculture & Water Quality: A Fulbright U.S. Scholar project brought UK hydrology and water-quality research to Ireland, focusing on how agricultural practices affect water as it moves through the landscape. Policy & Public Debate: New footage of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s return to the Senate has sparked online claims of “elder abuse,” fueling a fresh national argument over how he’s being supported.

Consumer Finance Crackdown: Kentucky lawmakers and the state AG’s office briefed legislators on a Meta settlement expected to bring at least $358 million to the commonwealth, with Meta required to tighten age-assurance and youth detection tools for under-18 and under-13 users. Predatory Lending Relief: Kentucky is also tied to a $694 million multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation, aimed at car-loan practices regulators say harmed consumers who couldn’t afford the loans. Energy & Data Centers: The U.S. House advanced a Ratepayer Protection Act to shield electricity bills from nearby AI data centers, a move Kentucky’s energy and industry stakeholders will be watching closely. Agriculture & Supply Chains: Kentucky’s farm policy spotlight is back as Sen. Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate and voted to advance the farm bill. Construction & Housing: The Parade of Homes is underway in south-central Kentucky, highlighting local builders and current building trends. Transportation & Commerce: The Corps of Engineers is dewatering Barkley Lock on the Cumberland River for routine maintenance, with reopening planned for Oct. 1. Business & Health Tech: Onco360 was selected as a national pharmacy partner for AstraZeneca’s Etcamah, expanding access to a new breast cancer option. Local Industry Culture: Churchill Downs priced a $500 million senior secured term loan, signaling continued financing for Kentucky’s entertainment and racing economy.

Manufacturing Expansion: Toyotetsu Mid America will invest $41M to expand in Owensboro, adding nearly 640 jobs and upgrading equipment/automation through a 2028 completion. Printing Capacity: Flottman Company in Northern Kentucky installed a Heidelberg SM 102-2-P press to expand high-precision commercial, pharma, and medical-device literature printing. Workforce & Training: UK Cooperative Extension opened applications for its 12-week Extension Internship Program, pairing students with county offices and agriculture, 4-H, and family/consumer sciences projects. Local Industry & Logistics: Louisville mover Horsepower Moving and Storage launched a redesigned website with online estimates and expanded Kentucky/Southern Indiana coverage. Energy & Data Centers: Daviess County’s data-center moratorium is still dragging, with residents and neighbors pushing for clear rules before hyperscale projects move in. Community & Public Safety: Winchester residents held a forum on AI data centers and Flock license plate readers, pressing for privacy and data-sharing answers. Policy Watch: The House passed Russia/Iran sanctions legislation backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, while Democrats push to block a Saudi nuclear deal. Food & Consumer: Walmart recalled more than 2M sour candy bottles over a choking hazard. Agriculture Politics: McConnell’s return helped advance the Senate farm bill after a long absence.

Workforce & Retail Layoffs: A rapid-response event at the Kentucky Career Center in Hopkinsville is helping about 60 displaced O’Charley’s employees after the Fort Campbell Boulevard location closed as part of 47 nationwide shutdowns. Manufacturing Jobs: Tyson Processing Services says it has topped 400 employees in Bowling Green and will receive a $250,000 state-funded grant, with the plant now running all lines and hiring. Healthcare Logistics: Gov. Andy Beshear joined officials to cut the ribbon on Medvantx’s expanded Louisville distribution facility, a nearly $27M project creating 122 jobs to expand prescription distribution across Kentucky. Energy Costs for Farmers: Rising diesel prices are squeezing Kentucky farm margins as harvest ramps up, with fuel costs “trickling right down” to day-to-day operations. Food & Corrections Contract Scrutiny: UNITE HERE Local 11 urged Yavapai County officials to reconsider Aramark for detention center food service, citing alleged billing and food-safety concerns. Policy & Emergency Comms: The House passed a bill to require AM radio devices in automobiles, aiming to keep emergency broadcast access available when broadband fails. AI & Chemicals Watch: Campaigners warn the AI data-center boom could drive a “tidal wave” of PFAS (“forever chemicals”), including a Kentucky-linked expansion tied to data-center cooling demand. Data Center Development: A Frankfort plan for a scaled-back data center moves forward after earlier county opposition.

Kentucky Industry & Infrastructure: Ford is signaling long-term commitment to the Bluegrass with a $1B investment in a new paint shop at its Louisville truck plant, a move tied to keeping high-volume production humming. Local Services & Community: St. Vincent de Paul broke ground on a new Erlanger headquarters, expanding space for outreach, food pantry operations, and donation services. Housing & Construction: Bowling Green commissioners approved added funding and design work for Riverfront Park phases, including expanded plans for white-water rapids. Energy & Costs: Gas prices jumped overnight in the Cincinnati/NKY region, with AAA reporting higher averages and diesel staying at record levels. Public Health & Workforce: Lexington’s heat relief and outreach efforts are strained by a record number of unsheltered people, with shelters at capacity. Politics With Kentucky Ties: The U.S. House voted again to limit Trump’s Iran war powers, with Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie among the Republicans backing the measure. Agriculture & Skills: Kentucky’s State Fair 4-H results highlighted top youth projects in crops and foods, with division and class champions moving through the Cloverville showcase. Business Tech: Eclipse Bank selected Lumin Digital to upgrade its digital banking platform for retail and commercial customers.

Truck & Logistics Zoning: Bullitt County’s Board of Adjustments upheld a stop to a proposed northern Bullitt truck parking facility after a zoning mix-up left the site classified as residential instead of light industrial. Public Works & Water: Boone County neighbors rallied behind a Burlington woman fighting a Sanitation District 1 sewage pipeline that would take a 20-foot easement through her land via eminent domain. Education & Workforce: Pike County says construction at the Millard Area Technical Center is back on track, with brickwork, roof completion, and windows delivered ahead of a planned 2027-28 opening. Energy & Environment: Kentucky Nature Preserves is offering a free webinar on its Kentucky Biological Assessment Tool to help energy developers identify rare species and meet environmental requirements. Auto Manufacturing: Ford recalled 223,472 F-150s over fuel tanks that can come loose and fall off, with free strap inspections and replacements planned. Policy Watch: Sen. Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate after a health-related absence; Gov. Beshear says he still owes Kentuckians answers. Data Centers: A Kentucky-related data center debate continues as states weigh incentives versus moratoriums/bans amid grid and water concerns.

Manufacturing & Recycling: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) set its Super Recycling Day for Oct. 23-24, with Scott County residents able to drop off household hazardous waste, electronics and documents for destruction. Healthcare Tech: Louisville-based Waystar is exploring options including a potential sale, with sources saying it hired Evercore and that an auction could test investor appetite. Energy Policy: The Trump EPA is abandoning Biden-era CO2 limits for coal power plants, a move Kentucky energy advocates and environmental groups are already framing as reliability vs. higher-pollution tradeoffs. Agriculture: Kentucky cattle farmers are pushing back on a “perfect storm” of pressures—shrinking herds, farmland loss and beef import changes—while pointing to the need for supportive farm policy. Public Safety & Consumer Health: A Louisville mother is urging a federal ban on retail nitrous oxide sales after her son’s death; Kentucky already restricted retail sales earlier in 2026. Transportation Infrastructure: Paducah officials are reviewing safety around a new Exit 16 roundabout after two crashes since it reopened Sept. 4. Local Economy: Ford announced a $1B paint shop for its Kentucky Truck Plant, part of broader modernization plans. Business & Housing: A new analysis argues rental screening based on pay stubs misses affordability realities, a potential pressure point for Kentucky renters.

Manufacturing Jobs: Toyotetsu Mid America will expand its Owensboro operation with a $41 million investment, aiming to complete upgrades by 2028 and retain nearly 640 full-time jobs, as the company adds equipment, automation, and production capacity. Energy & Industry Policy: The EPA moved to repeal coal-and-gas power plant greenhouse-gas limits and proposed steps to curb future climate regulation, a shift that could reshape how Kentucky’s utilities plan compliance and costs. Agriculture & Federal Funding: Kentucky agriculture groups are watching the Farm Bill closely as Sen. Mitch McConnell’s return (after a June fall) becomes pivotal for Senate Agriculture Committee votes and timing, with the bill set to expire at month’s end. Local Safety & Infrastructure: A Lexington hit-and-run killed a pedestrian on High Street, renewing calls for speeding and street-safety fixes like crosswalk placement. Food Retail Scrutiny: A nonprofit report alleges Kroger price-verification failures in parts of Ohio, while separate reporting says Kroger is phasing out Boar’s Head items at some locations. School Budgeting: Shelby County Public Schools’ board reviewed its fiscal-year 2027 working budget under new Kentucky timing rules, with staffing still the biggest expense. Tech & Logistics Research: Kentucky State University research finds Amazon FBA sellers tend to earn better reputations via customer ratings, highlighting how fulfillment and logistics shape food-market trust.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Ford is moving ahead with a $1 billion investment at its Kentucky Truck Plant, including a new paint shop in Louisville—another signal that big auto suppliers are still betting on Kentucky production. Transportation Infrastructure: New closures and detours are in effect along the Brent Spence corridor as the bridge project continues, with KYTC coordinating traffic changes that could affect commutes and local business access. Energy & Agriculture Costs: Harvest is underway in western Kentucky, and diesel prices are hitting farms hard—one Daviess County producer says tanker costs are about $14,000 higher than last fall. Public Safety & Consumer Impact: Kentucky’s PSC is promoting its Lifeline Program during Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, pushing discounts for low-income residents to stay connected for jobs, health care, and emergency help. Local Economy & Fraud: Louisville leads Kentucky cities in scam reports, with BBB Scam Tracker showing 56 reports in August—online purchase scams were the most common. Agriculture Outlook: A Federal Reserve Beige Book update says Corn Belt farm conditions improved slightly, with crops generally in good shape but still facing stress from heavy rains and flooding. Horse Industry: Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale is drawing optimism from sales leaders, with barns reporting strong traffic heading into the 12-day run.