Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, Pre-K for All, Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, funding for local communities, Career and Technical Education Month, and funding to clean up open dump sites. The Governor named hockey player and Louisville native Chyna Taylor as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star.
Economic Development
The Governor highlighted Toyota’s announcement that the Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky facility in Georgetown will be manufacturing the all-electric 2027 Highlander. This is the company’s first battery-electric vehicle for the U.S. market and its first battery-electric vehicle assembled in the United States. This follows Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Georgetown announced in 2024.
The Governor also highlighted success at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The airport celebrated its third busiest year on record in 2025. Last year, nearly 4.59 million passengers flew in or out of Louisville-Ali International.
Pre-K for All
Gov. Beshear provided an update on Team Kentucky’s Pre-K for All initiative by highlighting four pieces of legislation filed by members of the General Assembly to expand pre-K access in Kentucky: House Bill 572, sponsored by Rep. Tina Bojanowski; House Bill 574, sponsored by Rep. Anne Gay Donworth; Senate Bill 165, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Neal; and Senate Bill 166, sponsored by Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong.
Legislators joined the Governor to express support for Pre-K for All:
“Right now, too many Kentucky kids start kindergarten already behind. Some kids come to school not even potty trained,” said Rep. Bojanowski. “Let’s give every student the strong foundation they deserve. Pre-K for All will help children start kindergarten ready to learn, paving the way for a lifetime of success.”
“The support for Pre-K for All has been overwhelming and widespread – from parents and educators to business leaders across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Donworth. “Pre-K for All isn’t an expense, it is the most critical infrastructure investment we can make: investing in the next generation.”
So far, 93 school superintendents, 46 local and regional chambers of commerce, 63 county judge/executives, 35 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators have endorsed Pre-K for All. Additionally, over 66,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators asking them to support expanding pre-K access.
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
The Governor highlighted that Feb. 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in the commonwealth. Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect. About 40,000 children are born with CHD in the United States each year, and many require surgery before their first birthday. Representatives from Kerrington’s Heart, a nonprofit organization supporting Kentucky children with heart defects, joined the Governor.
“To the parents of young ones with CHD: The pain and stress you’re dealing with is unimaginable for most of us. But know that we are with you every step of the way,” said Gov. Beshear. “Together, we can raise awareness, increase early detection, and continue to fight to increase access to affordable health care for our families so we don’t lose any more children to congenital heart defects.”
“By signing this proclamation, you are sending a powerful and affirming message to Heart families across Kentucky that we are seen, we are valued and our voices matter,” said Margaret Chism, board representative at Kerrington’s Heart. “On behalf of Kerrington’s Heart and the Heart families here today and all across the commonwealth of Kentucky: Thank you, Gov. Beshear, for standing with us and for recognizing Congenital Heart Defects Week every year.”
Community Funding Awards
Gov. Beshear announced $3.4 million in Community Development Block Grant awards to support four community projects.
- The city of Clinton will receive $850,000 to support the construction of a new fire station.
- Marshall County will receive $850,000 to renovate the county’s Senior Citizens Center. The center is currently closed, and this project will help reopen it.
“Thank you to Gov. Beshear and the Department for Local Government,” said Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs. “This grant is so exciting for Marshall County senior citizens. It will allow us to totally renovate the center that they’ve not been able to occupy for the past four years. We are so excited to get started on the project.”
- The city of Millersburg will receive $850,000 to stabilize and remove blighted conditions of two deteriorating buildings on Main Street. Both buildings were destroyed in a fire in 2022.
- Trimble County will receive $850,000 to help the county build an urgent care and primary care clinic along U.S. Highway 42.
Career and Technical Education Month
The Governor recognized February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in the commonwealth. Since the beginning of Gov. Beshear’s administration, Team Kentucky has invested nearly $300 million to renovate and rebuild career and technical centers in high schools across the commonwealth. Representatives from the Department of Education and students at career and technical schools joined the Governor.
“We have the jobs of tomorrow. Now we need to help make sure our kids are ready to fill them when the time comes,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our career and technical education schools train students in high-demand professions like construction, engineering, manufacturing, health care and more. For so many of our students, these schools are where their future really comes into focus.”
“Career and Technical Education is hands-on, relevant and connected to real careers,” said Department of Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher “CTE blends academic knowledge with employability and technical skills students need to succeed after graduation. CTE also plays a critical role in building Kentucky’s future workforce. Programs are aligned to high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers supporting economic growth and competitiveness across our commonwealth.”
Open Dump Site Cleanup Funding
The Governor announced more than $763,500 to clean up 77 illegal open dump sites across 17 counties. This fund is generated through a $1.75 fee on each ton of garbage disposed of at Kentucky municipal solid waste landfills. Since the creation of this grant program, more than 3,000 illegal open dump sites have been removed statewide.
Team Kentucky All-Star
The Governor named hockey player and Louisville native Chyna Taylor as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star, as she was named 2025 Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year.
“Congratulations, Chyna,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thanks for representing Kentucky so well. We’re always cheering you on from your home state. One day, we hope to see you play in the Winter Olympics!”
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