Beshear says Kentucky reaches $50 billion in investment, 70,000 new jobs under administration
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
KENTUCKY (KBSI) – Andy Beshear on Wednesday highlighted what his administration called the strongest first quarter for economic investment in Kentucky history, bringing the total investment announced during his tenure to more than $50 billion and more than 70,000 projected jobs.
According to the governor’s office, Kentucky has secured $29 billion more in private-sector investment than any previous administration in state history. Officials also said the state posted its highest three-year average for new wages, with the average incentivized wage for 2025 nearing $30 per hour and the 2026 average through April reaching $31.50 per hour.
“While the national economy is struggling due to rising prices and bad policy decisions, we’re reigniting the American Dream in Kentucky and creating good-paying jobs for our people,” Beshear said in a statement.
State officials said Kentucky recorded more than $7 billion in announced and approved investments from January through April 2026. Projects highlighted by the administration include a $1.76 billion uranium enrichment facility planned by Global Laser Enrichment in McCracken County expected to create 240 jobs, and a $142 million agricultural waste-to-energy facility planned by Green Energy Parks in Arlington.
Other projects include expansions and new facilities in Perry, Bullitt, Boone, Warren, Hardin, Shelby and Scott counties.
The administration also pointed to other economic indicators, including a record $50.6 billion in exports in 2025, declining unemployment rates across all 120 counties between December 2024 and December 2025, and multiple state credit rating upgrades from Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Beshear also recently announced a statewide initiative called “New Kentucky Home,” aimed at boosting economic development, workforce growth and tourism.
