SENATOR STORM CELEBRATES FUNDING

AWARDS BENEFITING ROCKCASTLE COUNTY

From the Office of Senator Brandon Storm

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 5, 2024) – Sen. Brandon Storm could not attend a celebration on Monday in Rockcastle County regarding the ribbon cutting for Grateful Bread Food Pantry's upgraded facility and state and federal award funds benefiting economic development and career-ready education endeavors. Rockcastle County Schools Superintendent Carrie Ballinger delivered remarks on Storm's behalf. The remarks were as follows:

"I regret I could not be with each of you this morning to celebrate various awards that will make a positive difference for Rockcastle County and the region we call home. First, thank you to the Christian Appalachian Project and Grateful Bread for blessing so many seniors, children, and families who depend on your philanthropy. Your work is deserving of support. I am unashamed to pronounce my Christian faith, and I want to thank you for being a living example of the life our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, asks each of us to live.

"I am excited today for future opportunities for Rockcastle County and surrounding areas. My colleagues and I in the Kentucky General Assembly remain committed to robust economic growth. Through proven business-friendly policies and tax reform contributing to making days like today possible, we want to ensure we make the most out of the natural blessings we have here in our region and as Kentuckians.

"With the commonwealth's vast highways, waterways, railways, strong aviation industry, central geographic location, four seasons, incredible people, and signature industries—Kentucky epitomizes "BUILD-READY."

"However, being content with our innate blessings is not enough. We must seize the opportunity to ensure Kentucky shines like the jewel we know it is. With trusted individuals on the ground in our communities, my colleagues and I allocated $200 million through House Bill 1 in 2022 to support build-ready sites like here in Rockcastle County. I am grateful to see these available awards reaching our communities. Taxpayers, whom we should each stand up today and thank for making this possible, can rest assured the funds are in good hands.

"The state efforts mentioned above will only be boosted because the same is true for the nearly $1.5 million in federal funds to help advance career-connectedness through exciting individualized postsecondary career plans, dual credit courses, local hands-on work experience, and industry-recognized credentials.

"Recently, my colleagues and I have emphasized strengthening career and technical education through various policy enactments like Senate Bill 59, which focused on postsecondary readiness, and HB 680, to increase Kentucky's economic competitiveness in technology and computing employment. We allocated $140 million for operating costs in the most recently enacted budget for Local Area Vocational Education Centers. The education our area technology centers provide is critical because Kentucky continues to face workforce challenges and will need a prepared workforce to fill the available and will-be-available high-paying skilled jobs.


"I thank each of you for your role and service in improving Kentucky. Representing Rockcastle, Lincoln, Laurel, and Casey Counties in the 21st state Senate District is an honor. I am working hard for you in Frankfort, focusing on growing the state's aviation and aerospace industry to support the continued growth that celebrations like today will rely on. God bless each of you, and thank you again."

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BACKGROUND

Economic Development - Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) Awards

KPDI is a statewide effort to support upgrades at industrial sites throughout the commonwealth and position Kentucky for continued economic growth. KPDI, authorized by lawmakers through a collaborative effort by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, included $100 million in state funding toward site and building upgrades across the state. There was a total of $100 million to support approved mega-development projects of at least $10 million allocated to each of Kentucky's 120 counties based on population. After a first round of grant awards from the counties' fund, the remaining funds are pooled for a second round of grant awards.

The Rockcastle County Fiscal Court, representing the Rockcastle County Industrial Development Authority, conducted a comprehensive examination and secured land to establish a regional industrial park. An independent site selection consultant recognized the project's potential for future investment or as a location for an economic development initiative. A budget exceeding $1.6 million was approved in enhancements, including more than $800,000 from state funds, with more expected but not officially announced as of this release. Financial support for the project will come from Rockcastle and Garrard Counties, with Lincoln County endorsing the endeavor.

Christian Appalachian Project's Grateful Bread Facility Expansion Ribbon Cutting

The Grateful Bread food pantry has been around for many years and will more than double its facility size to support the nearly 200 seniors living in isolation and provides food backpacks for elementary school students on the weekend who may not have enough food at home when not receiving free or reduced lunch at school. The upgraded facility will provide dignity by allowing residents to shop rather than be handed food. It will also have a drive-thru for colder months.

According to its website, Grateful Bread provides monthly free and nutritious food to eligible families in Rockcastle County. Many families cannot afford the most basic groceries and must often choose between purchasing food and providing safe, warm, and dry homes or health care for their families. CAP helps fill the gap to ensure everyone can access essential food and necessities. For people living in need, Grateful Bread provides our participants with a welcome respite from the constant stress of worrying about feeding their families. We are helping put food on the tables of our most vulnerable people.

The Grateful Bread food kitchen is part of the Christian Appalachian Project, which for over 50 years, has served the people of Appalachia by building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love. The organization's website details how Rev. Ralph W. Beiting, a Catholic priest from northern Kentucky, was assigned to pastor a large portion of east-central Kentucky. Through his outreach, he witnessed tremendous poverty in Appalachia. He saw children weak from hunger, families beaten down by hardship, seniors living in fear and isolation, and communities desperate for hope. With the help of family and friends, he provided food, clothing, and other essentials to neighbors in need. What started small quickly grew, and the Christian Appalachian Project was founded in 1964. Through donor support, dedicated volunteers, and a selfless staff, CAP now touches the lives of more than 1 million people each year. By working with other local food banks and humanitarian service providers, our reach extends to parts of all 13 states of the Appalachian region, including Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Find out more and learn how to donate to the organization's cause HERE.

"Rockcastle Ready" awarded federal funds through the Perkins Innovation and Modernization Career-Connected High School Grant

Rockcastle County Schools and Allen County Schools received $1.475 million each as a part of a federal initiative to advance career-connected high schools. According to Ballinger, the grant will be for three years, totaling over 4.4 million in grant funds awarded to Rockcastle County Schools. The funds result from a $25 million grant pool. Issued by the U.S. Department of Education, the investments aim to enhance the capacity of education and workforce systems to collaborate with businesses and industries. The grant will also serve to aid students with exam fees, work-based learning enhancements, and financial assistance. Learn more about the federal grant HERE.

Visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senator Brandon Storm and details on the ongoing 2024 Legislative Session.

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Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, represents the 21st Senate District, including Casey, Lincoln, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties. He recently graduated from the esteemed Henry Toll Fellowship and was the only Kentuckian to participate in the 2023 program. Senator Storm serves as a Senate member of the Interim Joint Committees of Banking and Insurance; Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Judiciary; Local Government; State Government; Transportation; and Tourism, Small Business and Information Technology. He also serves as the co-chair of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee; a member of the Jail and Corrections Reform Task Force; and a member of the Multimodal Freight Transportation System Improvement Task Force.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Storm, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=121.