LEXINGTON, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear highlighted major economic achievements and public safety initiatives during his Team Kentucky update on Thursday, announcing record-breaking investment in the commonwealth and new grant funding to prevent juvenile crime.

According to the Governor's office, Kentucky experienced its best first quarter for investment in state history, with more than $4.4 billion in approved investment, according to the state's economic development initiatives. Over $3 billion of that investment has been finalized and announced, with Beshear announcing an additional $3 billion in potential investment this week alone.

The economic development momentum includes a $1.76 billion project announced by Global Laser Enrichment to develop the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility, described as the single largest capital investment in Western Kentucky history. The facility is expected to create 240 new high-wage positions in McCracken County. Additionally, Steuart Nutrition announced plans to establish its company headquarters and manufacturing operation in Erlanger with an $11.4 million investment creating 93 full-time Kentucky jobs.

On the law enforcement front, Beshear reported significant progress in training and staffing. Since taking office, 2,698 law enforcement officers have graduated from basic training at Kentucky's law enforcement academies, with 30 additional officers set to graduate this month from the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond. The governor noted that 937 school resource officers currently protect Kentucky's public schools, while 1,202 telecommunicators have completed training since December 2019.

The governor announced that applications will open March 27 for more than $386,000 in federal funding to prevent youth crime across the commonwealth. The Title II Formula Grants Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, supports state and local delinquency prevention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Earlier this year, the governor announced nearly $884,000 in additional federal grant funding aimed at reducing crime and violence.

Beshear also provided updates on other initiatives, including progress on capping orphan wells across the commonwealth, driver licensing operations, and scam prevention efforts targeting Kentuckians with fraudulent text messages impersonating state agencies.