FRANKFORT — Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced nearly $322,000 in Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) funding to support land and building development and encourage economic growth and quality jobs across two sites in Martin and Daviess counties.

“When it comes to setting up Kentucky for continued and future long-term economic success, this program is crucial,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am thrilled to see Daviess and Martin counties receive approval to make these site and building improvements in their communities. These sites will not only attract quality businesses, they will also generate well-paying jobs for Kentuckians.”

The Martin County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Martin County Economic Development Authority Inc., will be improving and renovating an existing industrial building located in the Eastern Kentucky Business Park. The $220,000 project was identified by an independent site selection consultant as having the potential for a future economic development project and was approved for $110,000 in state support.

Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive and EDA director Carolea Mills announced in a Fiscal Cout meeting Sept. 21 that the Martin County EDA would match the county’s $110,000.

The city of Owensboro, on behalf of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, will complete due diligence studies on the 184-acre Massie property, the planned new industrial development site in Daviess County. The $423,500 project was approved for nearly $212,000 in state funding through the KPDI program. Matching funds will be provided by the city of Owensboro and Daviess County Fiscal Court.

The KPDI program was established in 2022, and to date, 39 site and building development projects statewide have been approved for over $21.8 million in state funding.