Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles is applauding the Kentucky General Assembly for overriding Gov. Andy Beshear’s vetoes on a pair of agriculture-related issues, including one that stemmed from a failed Christian County economic venture.
House Bill 390 specifically directs the Cabinet for Economic Development to give notice to the agriculture commissioner when the cabinet receives information about an agricultural-related economic development opportunity.
The notice would allow the department to participate in plans, discussions, and meetings to allow the state full advantage in agriculture-related endeavors.
Quarles said the bill was created in direct response to the loss of a meat processing plant that considered locating in Christian County last fall.
The county was being considered for a 500,000 square-foot American Food Group beef processing plant on John Rivers Road termed “Project Groot” by the South Western Kentucky EDC. The $300 million investment was expected to employ between 1,200 and 1,400 people. The location of the plant near Pembroke drew some opposition from residents as well as State Representative Myron Dossett and Christian County Magistrate Phillip Peterson, who represents the district.
The Pembroke Board of Commissioners also adopted a resolution against the proposed processing plant.
In early October, American Foods Group, which has factories in seven other states, announced they were not coming to Christian County. A month later, they announced plans to build the plant in Missouri.
One person left out of much of the meat plant negotiations was Quarles, who testified before the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue several weeks later. He told them perhaps his office hadn’t been brought along expeditiously for company overtures.
click to download audioQuarles said the bill received bipartisan unanimous approval in the House and the Senate before being vetoed by Beshear.
Another veto override dealt with reorganizing the Fair Council and the Agritourism Advisory Council to reflect designees allowed for certain positions in their absences and adjusts the number of seats on the councils. The bill also clarifies the duties of the Office of State Veterinarian are to maintain the health of welfare of agricultural industries for livestock, poultry, and fish.
Both of the bills go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session which is scheduled to wrap up this week.
