AGP Executive Report

Auto Manufacturing Expansion: Toyota Kentucky kicked off all-new RAV4 Hybrid production in Georgetown and broke ground on a next-gen paint facility aimed at cutting carbon emissions 30% and saving about 1.5 million gallons of water annually, while also backing workforce training with a $500,000 grant to BCTC. Workplace Safety: A new report highlights how extreme heat is putting Kentucky workers at risk across construction, agriculture, shipping and more, calling for stronger heat-safety protections and better on-the-job education. Local Energy & Industry: A guest column argues Kentucky should prioritize reliable, affordable power, pointing to coal and natural gas as the backbone of the state’s electricity supply. Public Spending Watch: Kentucky’s rainy-day fund helped bankroll nearly $2B in one-time projects for towns and counties, including major local infrastructure and community upgrades. Financial Fraud Prevention: UK Credit Union is rolling out IllumaSHIELD voice authentication to reduce AI-driven voice fraud and improve member security across contact center and self-service channels. Consumer Alerts: The BBB warns of online shopping scams during Prime Day, urging shoppers to avoid suspicious ads and risky payment methods. Transportation Update: KYTC says the I-24 Ohio River Bridge reopened after a multi-vehicle collision, with continued work-zone caution for drivers. Manufacturing/Jobs: Mayfield candle maker Premier Candle U.S. Corp. cut its workforce after a Canadian acquisition, citing market conditions and future alignment.

Workforce & Logistics: Paducah-area workforce agencies held a rapid-response session for laid-off Precision Parcel Logistics (PCLG) employees, offering free training and help filing for unemployment. Auto Manufacturing: Toyota began making the 2026 RAV4 at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant to ease a supply crunch, though dealers may still see tight inventory. Agriculture Finance: Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. approved $2.92M in 16 loans, including infrastructure and beginning-farmer support. Ag Development Grants: The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board backed nearly $3.69M for diversification and rural projects statewide. Public Health & Environment: USDA says more than 1,800 invasive wild pigs were eradicated from Land Between the Lakes, aiming to protect visitors, crops, and cultural sites. Water & Utilities Oversight: A West Virginia PSC order to compel targets Williamson over missing documentation tied to a Mountain Water District rate complaint. Sports & Local Economy: Ellis Park set its 2026 summer Thoroughbred meet, with a July 31–Aug. 2 stakes showcase and major purses. Legal/Consumer Tech: Kentucky AG Tim Griffin sued Roblox and Discord over alleged child-safety failures. Labor Market: Kentucky’s preliminary May unemployment rate rose to 4.5% (from 4.3% in April).

EV Battery Supply Chain: Bridgnorth Aluminium signed a five-year battery-grade aluminium foil agreement with Lotte Aluminium Materials USA in Elizabethtown, extending Kentucky’s role in next-gen EV and energy storage production. Transportation & Historic Preservation: KYTC is seeking public comment on a draft Kentucky Section 106 Programmatic Agreement for how federally funded highway projects protect historic resources, with comments due July 16. Regional Infrastructure: Kentucky and Ohio unveiled the design for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor’s new companion bridge, a cable-stayed independent deck bridge aimed at improving safety and keeping commerce moving. Agriculture & IPM: UK will host a Pest Management Field Day June 25 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton for grain producers, focusing on weed, insect, and disease management in corn and soybeans. Energy & Storm Impacts: Severe storms moved through the WAVE viewing area with tornado warnings, and outages were reported across parts of Kentucky and Indiana. Public Safety Tech: Cities including Kentucky truck stops are testing wastewater monitoring to track illicit drug use and help target overdose response. Legal/Regulatory: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman sued Kalshi, Polymarket, and VGW, alleging illegal gambling operations in the state.

Kentucky Gambling Crackdown: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman sued Kalshi, Polymarket, and VGW, arguing their sports prediction markets and sweepstakes casino operations are illegal and seeking court orders to stop the contracts and activity in the state. Public Health & Water Testing: Kentucky is among places using wastewater testing to spot illicit drug trends early, aiming to reduce overdoses by alerting responders and communities. Construction & Risk: A Louisville man’s near-fatal collapse under a construction site highlights how negligence questions can linger after workers’ compensation, with settlement talks now in focus. Local Tourism & Heritage: Marion’s Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is pushing a new marketing push and leadership push to grow western Kentucky’s mining-history tourism. Environment & Water Quality: Kentucky researchers are studying why freshwater mussel populations are declining, warning that fewer mussels can mean less natural water filtering. Utilities & Infrastructure: Kentucky American Water is investing $3 million in Owen County water upgrades, while other local infrastructure updates continue across the region.

Prediction Markets Clash: Kentucky Attorney General Griffin sued Kalshi, Polymarket, and VGW over alleged illegal gambling, escalating a broader fight over how prediction markets and sweepstakes are regulated. Data Center Debate: TeraWulf laid out its Muskie Data Campus plan in eastern Kentucky, promising major local tax revenue and jobs while residents and officials raised concerns about power, water, pollution, and tax exemptions for tenants. Tourism & Local Economy: Boyle County tourism kept rolling in 2025, with visitor spending and tax revenue edging up even as tourism-supported employment dipped slightly. Ag Costs: The Fed’s Beige Book says fertilizer and fuel prices stayed elevated across the Corn Belt, pressuring farm costs and influencing planting decisions. Health Spending Watch: Medicaid Durable Medical Equipment billing in Florence jumped to $271,934 in 2024, up sharply from 2023. Public Safety/Services: Grant County’s ambulance district board continued organizing and budgeting steps, while Kentucky communities also reported storm-related outages and infrastructure work.

Medicaid Spending Watch: Florence providers billed $271,934 for Durable Medical Equipment in 2024, up 32.2% from 2023—an affordability and access signal for Kentucky’s health system. Tourism & Local Economy: Boyle County tourism stayed strong in 2025, with visitor spending rising to $84.5M and tax revenue up to $6.7M, though tourism-supported jobs dipped slightly. Chamber Leadership: Chandler Ladd was named president/CEO of the Hopkins County Chamber, moving from Christian County’s chamber role. Education Planning: Christian County Public Schools approved a new five-year strategic plan through 2031, built around six pillars including achievement and facilities. Data Center Debate (Eastern KY): TeraWulf outlined its Muskie Data Campus proposal in Boyd County, targeting a 1 gigawatt buildout and promising construction jobs, while residents raised concerns about power, water, and impacts. Retail Expansion: Dollar General plans about 450 new stores in 2026, leaning into rural and small-town growth. Weather: Storm chances return late Sunday into Monday, with a higher risk west of I-65.

Chamber Leadership: Hopkins County’s chamber has named Chandler Ladd its new president and CEO, bringing five years of chamber experience from the Christian County Chamber. Education & Workforce: Christian County Public Schools approved a new five-year strategic plan through 2031, built with broad stakeholder input and focused on accountability, achievement, aptitude, assets, alliances and appreciation. Local Governance & Compliance: Central City Mayor Tony Armour resigned, and council members say they plan to investigate alleged state-law violations tied to city roofing repair work. Animal Services & Community Resilience: Hopkins County Humane Society received a $50,000 grant from Humane World for Animals to support renovations for a temporary shelter after last year’s tornado. Labor Market: Kentucky’s preliminary May unemployment rate rose to 4.5% (from 4.3% in April), with fewer people reporting they were employed. Infrastructure & Industry: Kentucky American Water is investing about $3M in Owen County water upgrades, including main replacements and a new booster pump station. Data Centers Watch: TeraWulf outlined plans for a 1,000-megawatt data center in Boyd County, drawing both interest and skepticism from residents. Food & Retail Business: Yum Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B, with the U.S. chain going to LongRange Capital and China to Yum China.

Hemp & Consumer Education: Kentucky-based Bluegrass Hemp Oil is expanding free consumer education on full-spectrum CBD, labeling, and third-party testing as scrutiny grows around cannabinoid transparency and synthetic products. Public Health & Safety: USDA APHIS eradicated more than 1,800 invasive wild pigs from Land Between the Lakes, citing safety risks, cultural site damage, and impacts on crops and wildlife. Local Business & Food Retail: Food City promoted Eric Hozouri and Brad Holt to district managers, part of a broader leadership reshuffle that elevates produce, floral, and food service executives. Transportation Costs: Louisville bridge tolls rise nearly 4% July 1, with RiverLink prepaid crossings $2.79 and non-prepaid $5.57, as bond repayment timelines continue. Workforce & Training: BCTC, Toyota, and UK’s engineering technology department launch a Fujio Cho Smart Manufacturing Summer Academy for grades 6–8 focused on robotics, automation, and digital production. Sports & Community: Covington Catholic names Tara Leen as the first head coach for its new boys volleyball program, starting in 2027. Industry Watch Kentucky: Kentucky’s Supreme Court ruling also opens a path for some gun owners to seek medical cannabis access after SCOTUS said casual use can’t automatically trigger firearm charges.

Prediction Markets Crackdown: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman sued Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged illegal sports betting, arguing the platforms function like unlicensed sportsbooks and bypass consumer protections and state tax rules. Storm Recovery in the Tri-State: Tornado-warned storms tore roofs, snapped power poles, and left debris across Northern Kentucky and nearby areas, with crews assessing damage and restoring service. Local Environmental Research: University of Louisville researchers met in Grand Rivers to update residents on air-quality and health-hazard work under the BEACON study, including local air monitoring and community input. Data Center Rules Take Shape: Murray City Council held a first reading of an ordinance to regulate data centers and pause new applications while the measure moves toward a public hearing. Transportation Projects: Louisville’s I-65 Central Corridor bridge demolition is complete and rebuilding is underway, while Algonquin Parkway shifts from four lanes to two as construction begins. Industry & Manufacturing: Bridgnorth Aluminium signed a five-year battery-grade aluminum deal with Lotte Aluminium Materials USA in Elizabethtown, supporting the EV and energy storage supply chain. Public Health Oversight: FDA reported one company in a Daviess County city received citations after a 2025 inspection, tied to blood component recordkeeping and deviation reporting. Sports Business Watch: Maryland exercised its right of first refusal to match an $85M bid for Preakness IP rights, countering Churchill Downs’ purchase plan.

Kentucky energy & infrastructure: Storms are still snarling the region. More than 57,000 Kentucky customers are without power, with outages reported across Northern Kentucky and parts of Fayette, while Florence-area damage includes downed lines and roof impacts and Boone County officials routed some 911 calls to Kenton County during outages. Roads & construction: The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced a major closure on U.S. 68 at I-24 Exit 16 in McCracken County starting June 22 for up to 120 days as roundabouts are built, with detours for passenger and commercial traffic. State business & regulation: Kentucky’s attorney general is suing prediction market and online casino operators, alleging illegal gambling and consumer-protection violations as a new sports wagering law takes effect July 15. Local economy & industry: Southeast Kentucky’s chamber leadership is changing—Jordan Gibson is stepping down and Tiffany Coleman will take over July 1. Agriculture & community: Tourism in Simpson County hit a record $96.4M in direct visitor spending in 2025, and the Logan County Fair returns June 20 with a lineup built around the area’s agricultural roots. Energy prices: GasBuddy reports Kentucky’s average regular gas around $3.63, with the national average slipping below $4 as oil prices react to a U.S.-Iran framework deal. Environment: Longtime Kentucky environmental journalist James Bruggers died at 68; his reporting helped drive major air-pollution reductions tied to the STAR program.

Prediction Markets Crackdown: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman filed three lawsuits against Kalshi, Polymarket, and VGW, arguing they’re running unlicensed sports betting and illegal sweepstakes-style gambling, while also alleging weak problem-gambler protections. Local Governance & Data Centers: Lawmakers and cities are moving in parallel—Rep. Adam Moore is drafting a 2027 bill aimed at hyperscale data center transparency and local control, while Versailles City Council approved a moratorium on data center development through Dec. 31, 2026. EV Charging Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear announced new fast-charging EV stations at Love’s in Elizabethtown and Shepherdsville, adding four 400-kilowatt ports per site under the NEVI program. Workforce & Education: Murray State University earned national recognition from Colleges of Distinction, and state workforce training funds were announced for thousands of Kentuckians. Business & Growth: Yum Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B, and Shipley Donuts signed a three-unit Ohio franchise deal with local Kentucky family ties. Community & Weather: Severe storms and tornado watches are in play for the Louisville/Cincinnati region, while hundreds joined the annual “Clog the Patoka” float trip.

Data Centers & Local Control: A Democratic Kentucky lawmaker is drafting next-year legislation aimed at hyperscale data center impacts, including electricity ratepayer protections and concerns that local officials signed non-disclosure agreements that limit what communities learn. Prediction Markets Clash: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman filed lawsuits against Kalshi, Polymarket and VGW, calling their platforms unlicensed and illegal, as the state also faces a coalition challenge to its 14.25% prediction market tax. Tourism Boom: Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky tourism hit a record $14.6B economic impact in 2025 for the fourth straight year of growth. Rural Health Funding: Kentucky lawmakers heard CMS awarded nearly $213M to support a five-year rural health transformation plan, with deadlines tied to showing progress. Broadband Expansion: Kenergy’s Connect fiber network reached 15,000 subscribers across western Kentucky, adding thousands of fiber miles as construction continues. Food & Retail: Yum Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B, splitting operations between LongRange Capital (outside mainland China) and Yum China (mainland). Community & Industry: Henry County’s planning panel approved zoning for two large industrial warehouses on a 217-acre farm, requiring traffic and stormwater studies.

Data Center Governance: Murray’s Planning Commission advanced a revised data center ordinance to City Council after residents raised concerns about noise, water use, and environmental impacts. County Oversight: Calloway Fiscal Court’s committee asked for more details before regulating data centers, pointing to utility and TVA power pathways. Industrial Growth: Owensboro commissioners moved a Massie Property rezoning forward toward light industrial use as the AirPark’s available acreage shrinks. Western Kentucky Policy: U.S. Rep. Andy Barr highlighted housing supply, AI infrastructure, and Social Security as key issues for the region. Food & Franchise: Yum! Brands will sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B in two deals—LongRange Capital for most markets and Yum China for mainland China—signaling a major portfolio reshuffle. Workforce Support: Paducah-area rapid response services are set for Precision Parcel Logistics layoffs, connecting workers to unemployment and job-search resources. Telecom Consolidation: Grain Management is combining Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications into Rightfiber, aiming to serve 300,000 homes across a 20-state fiber footprint. Local Recycling: Covington will host an e-waste, foam recycling, and paper shred event June 20.

Tourism Leadership: Prestonsburg Tourism named Brooke LeMonds its new executive director, bringing her back after a short stint leading Paintsville Tourism; she’ll transition at the end of the month. Restaurant Industry Shakeup: Yum! Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B—$1.5B to private equity LongRange Capital for non–mainland China operations and about $1.2B to Yum China for mainland China—aiming to refocus the portfolio as Pizza Hut sales lag. Energy & Power: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and two new plants, using Defense Production Act authority; Duke Energy Kentucky is listed among project recipients. Electric Co-op Exec Change: Farmers RECC (Glasgow) selected Chuck Bishop as next president and CEO, succeeding Tobias “Toby” Moss, with Bishop starting July 17. Food Safety: FDA issued a Class I recall for a pasta sauce (Alfredo) distributed across 41 states due to Salmonella contamination. Local Water Crisis: Casey County and the town of Liberty ordered water conservation amid extreme drought, with officials discussing options like pumping water from the Green River to Lake Liberty.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: Lexington residents packed a city meeting to challenge new data center plans after the former Lexmark site was bought by DartPoints, with speakers pushing back on environmental and infrastructure impacts and asking for real limits. Local Governance: In eastern Kentucky, Sen. Robin Webb says she’s still seeking details on a proposed TeraWulf data center in her district, while Gov. Andy Beshear argues facilities must cover their own power costs. Housing & Affordability: Kentucky Realtors report the median home sale price hit $276,400 in March 2026, up 4.3%, and buyers are also overlooking add-on costs like internet service. Utilities & Big Load Negotiations: Utilities are driving negotiations with large data centers in the absence of new state legislative action, raising questions about who ultimately pays. Workforce & Training: Trucking employers are increasingly building talent through CDL training and apprenticeships instead of waiting for experienced drivers. Energy Prices: AAA says gas prices are trending down in Kentucky as oil prices ease amid the Iran conflict outlook. Agriculture & Food Industry: A Kentucky tobacco farm must attend a DOL visa-rule hearing after a judge rejected its bid to block the case.

Energy & Power: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and new coal builds, including Kentucky-linked projects, arguing it boosts grid reliability while critics call it an uncompetitive subsidy. Data Centers & Local Policy: More Kentucky counties and cities are moving toward moratoriums and zoning limits on data centers, with residents citing water use, noise, and rising electricity demand from AI. Agriculture: Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell declared June as Dairy Month, spotlighting the state’s dairy producers and milk output. Food & Retail: KFC rolled out its “next chapter” plan—more sauces and beverages, refreshed branding, and restaurant modernization—starting in the UK/Ireland before expanding. Health: A University of Louisville-led study links synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes to abnormal heartbeats in lab models. Workforce & Training: UK hired J Batt as athletics director/CEO of Champions Blue, a major leadership move for the state’s sports business ecosystem. Community & Youth: A Crittenden County FFA student was elected unanimously as state vice president for the 2026-27 Pennyrile area.