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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear signs bill funding Bluegrass Station project
Project will create 105 new jobs for the Commonwealth
FRANKFORT, Ky.—Gov. Steve Beshear today signed House Bill 302 authorizing the sale of $4 million in bonds to build a hangar at Bluegrass Station, formerly Lexington Army Depot, and create 105 new jobs. This facility is managed and maintained by the Department of Military Affairs as a business complex.
“Even in tough economic times, we must find ways to invest in our communities, in our businesses and in our military,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s precisely during these times that we must be especially aggressive in encouraging and enabling these kinds of growth, particularly the kind of growth that creates jobs. This project will create 105 new jobs in addition to the 660 new jobs that we’ve created at Bluegrass Station within the last year.”
The bill passed the Kentucky Senate on a 38-0 vote last week and won easy passage in the House late last month.
“I’m really proud of the way Governor Beshear and the legislature made this happen as quickly as we did,” said Rep. Don Pasley, of Winchester. “More than 500 Clark Countians work at Bluegrass Station, so this new law will help preserve those jobs and add more than 100 new ones. This legislation could not have come at a better time.”
“With this bill, not only are we aiding the cause of our national defense but we are creating jobs as well,” said Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, of Lexington.
“This bill sets up a win-win scenario for everyone involved,” said Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general for Kentucky. “Not only does it mean more than one hundred new jobs for Kentucky, but it has zero impact on the General Fund because of the Department of Defense lease payments.”
Located in Fayette County, Bluegrass Station has a payroll of $100 million and employs nearly 2,700 people.
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