Beshear Abramson :: Tested : Trusted : Tough

Union County Livestock creates 25 jobs in Uniontown

The Lane Report reported that Union County Livestock will add 25 new jobs and expand its Uniontown plant.

Governor Steve Beshear today announced Union County Livestock will add a new product line at its Uniontown plant. The expansion will allow the company to create 25 new, full-time jobs and will entail a capital investment of $860,000 in the commonwealth.

“More than two dozen people will have new employment opportunities as a result of Union County Livestock’s expansion,” Gov. Beshear said. “Projects like this one demonstrate the successful partnerships we’re creating with our local communities and existing industries to create jobs for Kentuckians and bring in new investment to the state. I congratulate Union County Livestock on this exciting expansion.”

Read more at the Lane Report>>

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Steve Beshear

Governor Steve Beshear’s steady and pragmatic leadership continues to guide Kentucky through one of the most difficult times in the state’s history. The Commonwealth has been tested over the last three years by multiple natural disasters and the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Governor Beshear fought to not only help Kentuckians survive the turmoil, but to also position the state for future success.



Beshear has consistently been a strong, fiscally conservative governor, balancing the budget eight times in three years without raising broad based taxes. He also has worked across party lines to solve some of the Commonwealth’s most pressing problems. And he continues to focus on his top priority – creating and retaining jobs for Kentuckians and increasing opportunities for businesses across the state.

Learning his values in a small town through faith and family

Governor Beshear learned his values growing up in Dawson Springs -- a small town in western Kentucky. His father and grandfather, both Baptist ministers, instilled in him a responsibility to God and family. His mother, who found time to give back to her community while raising five children, inspired him to serve his community and state. 

At the University of Kentucky, where he received his undergraduate and law degrees, he served as president of the student body. That experience drew him to serve in the U.S. Army reserve as an intelligence analyst and also perform duties in the Judge Advocate General’s office.

While at University of Kentucky he met his wife, Jane, to whom he has been happily married for more than 40 years. They have two sons, Jeff and Andy, and three grandchildren.

Jeff is a veterinarian and small business owner. He, his wife Emily and their son Nicholas live in Virginia. Andy, an attorney, resides in Louisville with his wife Britainy and their two children, Will and Lila.

An honest leader committed to Kentucky

Beshear’s work in both the public and private sectors offer Kentucky a unique leadership style that has improved the lives of his fellow Kentuckians.

As a State Representative, he drafted and sponsored legislation that helped modernize and more than double the neonatal capacity at the University of Kentucky Hospital.

As Attorney General, Beshear saved taxpayer dollars by successfully cracking down on statewide food stamp fraud. He also gave citizens the opportunity to file consumer protection complaints in their respective communities, rather than facing the burden of old policies and bureaucratic delays.

And as Lt. Governor, he worked with Governor Martha Layne Collins to bring Toyota to the Commonwealth, creating thousands of jobs across the state. He also developed and headed the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission to identify the challenges that Kentucky faces and recommended solutions to create a vision for tackling them -- many of the recommendations were later adopted.



Following government service, Beshear returned to the private sector as a respected attorney and senior executive of a multistate law firm. He became a managing partner at Stites & Harbison PLLC in Lexington, helping the office to grow and develop into one of the most successful practices statewide. While at Stites, numerous state and national companies sought Beshear’s counsel. His advice guided many clients into successful ventures. 



These professional experiences, as well as his work in community banking, allowed Beshear to gain invaluable insight into the intricate details of business. He has applied his expertise of business and finance as Governor, allowing him to be a responsible steward of tax dollars and aid in the development of new job creation and retention programs. He continues to be a steady hand in these difficult times.



A Governor that Stands up for Kentucky Families

Governor Beshear left a successful private sector career to serve the people of Kentucky once again, this time as governor. He was sworn in as the state’s 61st Chief Executive on December 11, 2007. 



Since the day he was sworn in, Kentuckians have entrusted Governor Beshear to do what is right for them and their families. As Governor, he takes that trust seriously, upholding his promise to put Kentucky first and tackling the difficult challenges facing the Commonwealth. 



Governor Beshear is proud to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky. But he knows there is more work to do, and looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of Kentuckians.  
 

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Jerry Abramson

Jerry Abramson grew up working in his father’s three-aisle grocery store on South Preston Street in Louisville. There, he learned the importance of hard work, selfless service and community pride while stocking shelves and delivering groceries to his neighbors. These values continue to influence his career in public service.



After earning a business degree from Indiana University, serving in the Army, and receiving a law degree from Georgetown University, Abramson put his skills to practice in his hometown of Louisville. His passion for public service quickly led voters to elect him as mayor of Kentucky’s largest city by the time he was forty years old.

Visionary Mayor of Louisville

In twenty-one years as Louisville’s mayor, Jerry helped turn a struggling river city into a vibrant economic center. He understands that by working together and partnering with business, good paying jobs for Kentuckians will be created and retained. His unbounded enthusiasm for economic development became his calling card when recruiting companies and jobs.



Jerry served three terms as leader of the City of Louisville in the 1980's and 1990's, and then led the successful effort to unify city and county governments into a single, more efficient government. He was elected the first Mayor of Louisville Metro in November 2002 with nearly 74 percent of the vote, and represented its 700,000 citizens for two full terms.



Those eight years were marked by dramatic progress that helped Louisville earn the notable designation, "Most Livable Large City in America" from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
 

Record of Creating Jobs

Jerry’s record on job creation is unparalleled as Mayor. He led a $700 million expansion of the Louisville International Airport, which enabled the city to attract the package-sorting hub that supplies 23,000 jobs for the region and has transformed Louisville’s airport into the nation’s third busiest cargo port.



Over the last three years, Jerry has worked with Governor Beshear to continue to bring jobs and investment to Louisville and Kentucky. This includes working with Governor Beshear to create and retain jobs at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant and Louisville Assembly Plant, as well as at General Electric’s Appliance Park. Thousands of employees have good-paying jobs thanks to their efforts.

Improving Life for Kentuckians

Jerry has worked to improve various aspects of life in Louisville throughout his years of public service. He reduced the size of government by nearly twenty percent while improving the delivery of basic services; made citizens safer by connecting police, fire, EMS and other emergency responders in the region; transformed downtown into a vibrant, economic and tourism attraction; invested in parks and trails to help keep Louisvillians healthy; and rehabilitated multiple neighborhoods so citizens could have quality, affordable housing.



As lieutenant governor, Jerry would bring this same energy, passion and vision to the Capitol to help create a brighter future for all Kentuckians.



Jerry is currently an executive in residence at Bellarmine University and lives with his wife Madeline in Louisville. They have a son, Sidney.

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Jane & Madeline

Jane Beshear

In her many roles as a businesswoman, educator and community leader, Jane Beshear, First Lady of Kentucky, has dedicated her life to the service of others throughout the Commonwealth. Her work over the last three years reflects that passion for improving the lives of Kentuckians.

Horses and Hope, one of Mrs. Beshear's first and most successful initiatives, has helped educate Kentuckians about breast cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in our state. Horses and Hope targets Kentucky's horse industry workers and their families, who often lack access to quality health care. In the last three years, the program has educated over 283,000 horse show and race track fans on the subject of breast cancer, and has screened more than 350 equine workers.

As a life-long equine enthusiast and advocate, she has served on a number of industry-related boards of directors. Most recently, she was a member of the World Equestrian Games Foundation Board, which successfully hosted in 2010 the first ever FEI World Equestrian Games outside of Europe, an event that attracted more than half-a-million attendees from around the globe.

As a former teacher, Mrs. Beshear is passionate about education. To tackle the school dropout problem in the Commonwealth, she organized Graduate Kentucky: A Community Approach. This initiative focuses on drop-out prevention and increasing graduation rates in Kentucky public schools. Summits were held across the state to gather ideas to help give students of all ages every opportunity to succeed.

Her additional efforts include: annually hosting the Shop and Share program to collect donated goods from Kroger stores to benefit Kentucky Domestic Violence Association shelters; serving on the board of the Recovery Kentucky program, which assists those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction with leading normal, healthy lives; and the Governor's Garden effort to increase awareness about the benefits of locally grown produce.

Mrs. Beshear's motto is "Personal Responsibility." She has received numerous awards reflecting her active pursuit to lead by example and her commitment to serving Kentuckians.

Madeline Abramson

Madeline Abramson has a passion for public service. Over the years, she has served as a leading community volunteer in organizations dedicated to the arts, social services, health care, young people and education.

Madeline currently serves as board chair of the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and she has long led the board at Maryhurst, a Louisville-based organization that offers residential and treatment programs for young women who have experienced abuse and neglect. Her efforts also include serving on the boards of the state Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and Jewish Hospital/St. Mary's Foundation. In addition, she recently completed a two-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, Louisville Area Chapter, and continues to serve on its board.

In recognition of her work, Madeline received a series of awards in 2010: the Maryhurst Shepherd's Heart Award for Volunteer Service; the Hannah G. Solomon Award for community service from the National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section; the Women4Women "Heart of the Community Award;"and an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Spalding University. She was also recognized that year with the Family Scholar House Lucy Award for her commitment to post-secondary education and equity for women.

Much of Madeline's work has taken her to communities across the state where she has helped improve tools and resources for local organizations, ensuring more effective and efficient operations. Her efforts with the American Red Cross, Governor's School for the Arts and Maryhurst have allowed her to connect with men and women who share her commitment to the enriching the lives of Kentuckians. Madeline enjoys serving Kentuckians across our Commonwealth with these and other organizations as a dedicated volunteer and public servant.

When time permits, she enjoys reading and gardening. A native of Louisville, she lives with her husband, Jerry, the longest-serving mayor in Louisville's history; and their son, Sidney Robert, who is currently attending Bellarmine University.

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Creating Jobs for Kentucky

Steve Beshear and Jerry Abramson know how to bring business and government together to create jobs for Kentuckians. Each has a long, successful record of attracting companies to the state, as well as helping existing businesses grow and thrive. Their collective experience is what Kentucky needs to lead us out of the recession.

Governor Beshear took a stand for hard-working Kentuckians in the summer of 2009 when he persuaded the General Assembly to overhaul the state’s economic development programs.  Called Incentives for a New Kentucky, the modernized and streamlined economic incentives toolbox established a more business-friendly environment in Kentucky.

Since then Beshear has helped bring hundreds of projects totaling more than $3.4 billion in potential investment into the Commonwealth. The proposed developments also represent nearly 27,000 jobs created or saved.

Learn more about how we are creating jobs in Kentucky

-  Economic Development Highlights
-  Beshear Helping Small Business Create Jobs
-  Full list of Job creation projects

Helping Small Business Create Jobs

Governor Beshear understands that economic revitalization must come from the ground up, so he developed and expanded a series of initiatives designed to increase resources for small businesses. Most community businesses are locally-owned, employ local workers and recycle dollars within the community. Small businesses are increasingly relied upon to help lead us out of the recession. Therefore, these are some the most critical investments the Commonwealth can make.

• The Small Business Development Credit Program helps companies create jobs and make critical investments they need to prosper. It provides tax credits to businesses that create, fill and maintain one or more new, eligible jobs while investing in equipment or technology.
• The Kentucky Export Initiative is a statewide program aimed at expanding opportunities and increasing resources for small- and medium-sized businesses in Kentucky seeking to establish international trade relationships.
• Gov. Beshear expanded the Kentucky Micro Enterprise Loan Program to 25 counties. Microloans offer businesses a small loan and allow them to make critical investments in order to survive, change directions and grow. With this expansion, small businesses in all 120 Kentucky counties have an alternative to conventional funding mechanisms.
• The Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certification Program increases the ability of Kentucky companies businesses that are at least 51 percent owned by women or racial or ethnic minorities to qualify or compete for work in other states that require certification by a statewide entity.

Economic Development Highlights

Governor Beshear has led several significant job creation and retention efforts in Kentucky over the last three years. His leadership has brought new, exciting opportunities to the Commonwealth, as well as saved the jobs of thousands of Kentuckians. These opportunities include:

• Proposed, pushed and passed legislation designed to attract legacy tourism projects. As a direct result, Kentucky will host its first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Kentucky Speedway in 2011. The race is expected to have an economic impact upwards of $150 million.
• Helped develop the National Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center. The venture is a collaboration between the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Argonne National Laboratory, the country’s leading federal lab for transportation-related research and development. Kentucky has a reputation for manufacturing quality vehicles, but with the arrival of Argonne, the state can also be a leader in creating advanced battery technology for the cars of the future.
• Worked closely with Mayor Abramson and General Electric on two major announcements at Appliance Park that happened within a six month period. In all, the company’s commitment to open three new product lines amounts to a more than $150 million investment that created approximately 850 jobs.
• Appointed an Appalachian Regional Commission Economic Development Coordinator to coordinate efforts in Eastern Kentucky by the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Department for Local Government.
• Joined with Mayor Abramson and Ford Motor Company in announcing an overhaul of its Louisville Assembly Plant into one of the most flexible automotive manufacturing sites in the world. The facility’s transformation and modernization will enable it to simultaneously build up to six vehicles. It is a $600 million investment that will create 1,800 jobs over time.
• Overseeing the final phase of the Base Realignment and Closure transition of Fort Knox. This multi-year project is the most significant economic development happening in Kentucky, with the expectation of nearly 8,000 new jobs, an increase in the payroll at Fort Knox of well over a billion dollars and a massive influx of families. The state has invested millions of dollars for transportation, water, sewer and facilities infrastructure to support the rapid growth of the region.
• Helped Kentucky successfully host the World Equestrian Games, an international event never before held outside of Europe, and the 2008 Ryder Cup tournament at Valhalla.
• Launched Kentucky’s Adventure Tourism initiative, which seeks to develop more trails in Eastern Kentucky for hiking, biking camping, boating, fishing, hunting, off-roading and horseback riding. The initiative creates direct and indirect jobs through small businesses and increases tourism in the area.
• Fighting to protect Kentucky’s equine industry, which is critical to the overall economic health of our state. This part of our agriculture sector alone employs upwards of 100,000 Kentuckians, and makes a $4 billion economic impact on our state each year. As the state’s signature industry, it is critical for Kentucky to maintain its title of “Horse Capital of the World.”

Creating Jobs for Kentucky

Steve Beshear and Jerry Abramson know how to partner with business to create jobs for Kentuckians. Each has a long, successful record of attracting companies to the state, as well as helping existing businesses grow and thrive. Their collective experience is what Kentucky needs to lead us out of the recession.

Governor Beshear took a stand for hard-working Kentuckians in the summer of 2009 when he persuaded the General Assembly to overhaul the state’s economic development programs.  Called Incentives for a New Kentucky, the modernized and streamlined economic incentives toolbox established a more business-friendly environment in Kentucky.

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Fiscal Responsibility

Kentucky families have been battered by a national recession born of greed on Wall Street and reckless spending in Washington. Yet they bear the heaviest burden of these tough times. Families pour over their bills at night trying to make the money work. They work harder, spend less and fight to stretch every dollar as far as they can.

Under Governor Steve Beshear, state government has shared in their sacrifice. Just like families across the Commonwealth are doing, he tightened Kentucky’s budget belt. He slashed more than $1 billion in spending, making government leaner and more efficient. The Executive Branch is now the smallest it has been in decades.

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Helping Kentuckians in Tough Times

The last few years have been unpredictable for Kentucky families. While many faced financial uncertainty because of the recession, natural disasters – from snow and wind storms to flooding and severe drought – plagued communities across the Commonwealth. Each disaster increased monetary strain on many of Kentucky’s already stretched and struggling families.



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Investing in Education and our Future

A quality education is essential to leading a successful life. It inspires careers, opens minds and increases job opportunities for individuals as well as for the state as a whole. Preparing the next generation for the future is a great responsibility – one that can seem even more daunting with our current budgetary challenges.

Governor Steve Beshear understands how a quality education can change someone’s life. That’s why, despite cutting over $1 billion from the state budget, he has protected SEEK, the primary funding formula for Kentucky’s classrooms, from any budget cuts. Throughout the last three years, he has implemented critical reforms, developed new programs and collaborated with education leaders on several initiatives. 

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Leading an Ethical and Open State Government

As a former state representative, attorney general and lieutenant governor, Steve Beshear served each office with integrity. He left politics to spend more time with his children and work in the private sector, but a widespread corruption scandal called him back to public service. In his 2007 run for governor, he offered Kentuckians a break from ‘politics as usual,’ promising fresh leadership and a more open government.



Since he has been elected governor, Steve Beshear has upheld his pledge to govern with honesty and integrity by running one of the most accessible administrations in the state’s history.



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Keeping Kentuckians Safe and Secure

No one could protect Kentucky families from the uncertainty and instability of the recession. Worrying about their jobs, their homes, their children and their futures became routine for many across the Commonwealth. The mental, emotional and even physical hardship of the anxiety took its toll.

Governor Beshear sought to reduce their stress by giving them peace of mind in their homes and on the streets. Many states across the country slashed public safety funds and programs because of the tight budget situation. Beshear protected critical public safety programs and tightened public safety laws.

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Affordable Health Care for Kentucky's Working Families

Every Kentuckian wants access to quality health care, regardless of if they live in a rural or urban community. It is essential for children to receive a healthy foundation in life and for adults to lead happy, productive lives. Unfortunately, many Kentuckians face overwhelming barriers that prevent them from receiving the care they need, including ever-increasing costs. And of course, the current national recession has put too many basic necessities out of reach for too many hard-working Kentucky families.

Governor Steve Beshear has worked to expand access to health care to Kentuckians in every corner of the state. He reduced barriers to care and pushed for critical infrastructure to improve care in the Commonwealth.

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Support for Service Members & Veterans

Kentucky is home to more than 339,000 living veterans. They are neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. Across the ocean, our sons and daughters are at war, upholding a proud Kentucky tradition of service that dates to the War of 1812.

As a military veteran himself, Governor Beshear is ensuring that every Kentucky veteran receives the respect they deserve. And he is establishing support resources for active duty military to make their time away from home easier and their life outside of the military a success.

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Vision for Energy Independence

Kentucky’s demand for energy is expected to grow by 40 percent in the next 15 years. Our nation's dependence on foreign oil means the United States controls neither energy prices nor supply and demand.  This reality puts our nation at risk not only of a shortage of energy supplies, but also to our overall national security.

Governor Beshear believes that, with our coal reserves, our agricultural and forestry resources and a foundation of cutting-edge energy research, Kentucky is well-positioned to be a leader in energy technology and energy production. He has championed research and development ventures at our universities, implemented programs to reduce our carbon footprint and laid a foundation to create more green jobs across the Commonwealth.

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