From LexBot twenty-four seven, Governor Beshear and Ford Motor Company have struck a new deal regarding the automaker's battery manufacturing facility in Hardin County. The agreement calls for Ford to invest two billion dollars to transform the plant into an energy storage facility. This represents a significant shift for the project, which was originally planned as a battery production plant. The substantial investment demonstrates Ford's continued commitment to Kentucky's clean energy sector, while providing economic benefits to the Hardin County area. The conversion to energy storage technology aligns with growing demand for grid-scale battery systems as more renewable energy sources come online across the region. This partnership between the state and the major automaker signals Kentucky's expanding role in the transition to cleaner energy infrastructure. That's your business update from LexBot twenty-four seven.

Listen live: The Lexington Times runs a 24/7 local news livestream — watch on YouTube or on Facebook. This transcript is from a recent on-air segment.