Kentucky's Capitol
(2010-08-18)
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Gov. Steve Beshear says even small plant openings like Mountain Valley Recycling in Frankfort are helping Kentucky dig its way out of the recession. Recently, 1,000 people showed up at the new plant when the company announced it was hiring 360 people.
Photo by Tony McVeigh (Click image to enlarge)
FRANKFORT, KY (Kentucky Public Radio) - Kentucky's jobless rate remains in the double digits, at 10 percent in June. But as our Tony McVeigh reports, Gov. Steve Beshear is hoping a plant opening in Frankfort is indicative of better days ahead.
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In yet another example of the hard times in which we live, 1,000 people recently showed up when Mountain Valley Recycling announced it was hiring 360 people in Frankfort. Now, Gov. Beshear has helped cut the ribbon on the $9 million plant, which recycles plastic waste into resins that will be used for new products.
"I'm very proud to tell you that across this commonwealth, community by community, job by job, company by company, we're digging our way out of this recession," said Beshear.
And Beshear says these are green jobs that will reduce the amount of plastic waste going into landfills. Company officials say for every 50 million pounds of resin processed at the facility, 275,000 barrels of oil will be saved.
DIGGING OUT
Beshear says even small plant openings like this are helping Kentucky dig its way out of the recession.
"Jobs put bread on the table, put a roof over our heads," said Beshear. "Jobs create the revenue with which myself as governor can render the services to the people of the state, that they need. Jobs help advance a business' bottom line, which is what it's all about in the private sector."
One million dollars in state incentives helped convince the company to locate a manufacturing facility in the capital city.
IRONIC TWIST
Less positive news could be coming for some state workers. Gov. Beshear is still weighing his options regarding the elimination of possibly hundreds of non-merit jobs in the administration. Job cuts are expected to be announced any day now, as Beshear continues looking for ways to reduce state spending.
"We're looking at making appropriate reductions that are going to help us hit that $131 million target that we've got to hit in efficiencies, and we're looking at it position by position," Beshear told reporters after the MVR ceremonies.
Beshear has already ordered merit and non-merit state employees to take six furlough days this fiscal year. The first unpaid day off is September 3rd. A lawsuit filed by six state employees aims to halt the furloughs, but the suit remains under judicial review.
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