Beshear hints at future in conversation with Kentucky businesses

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky’s business community had an extended sit-down with Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday. Many in the room came to hear more about how Kentucky continues to grow and what is being done to make Kentucky competitive for the next business to locate here.

“What we’re told over and over that we’re the very best at is speed to market. So if you are a new business or you have a major expansion, we will get you up and running faster than any other state,” Beshear said.

In the hour-long conversation hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky’s workforce participation, housing needs, energy demands, and more were all issues on the table for Beshear to give a status report.

“Why did we fight so hard for the battery plants? Because that is where automotive is going. Even if it takes a little longer. GM just announced they had doubled their EV sales. And so while it’s not as aggressive as an uptick as people once expected, it is still expected to be the dominant future of that industry,” Beshear said, addressing market uneasiness around electric vehicles.

Beshear was critical of recent moves happening in DC, like tariffs, noting Kentucky’s status as a major player in exports. Trade data from the Office of the US Trade Representative shows Kentucky is the 13th largest state exporter in the country, and exports make up 17 percent of the state’s GDP. However, Beshear also credited the Trump administration with a solid FEMA response to recent disasters.

As Beshear’s national spotlight grows, from a recent Vogue magazine feature to last week’s trips to South Carolina, many more ears are perking up when the governor mentions national politics.

“Right now, I’m speaking out because I believe we need a reasonable, common-sense, common-ground, get-things-done type of voice that is out there,” Beshear said, answering a question about his future.

Beshear said he “doesn’t want to leave a broken country” to his kids when he decides what’s next after office.