WQXE News

BlueOval SK External Affairs Director Keli McAlister says the company is aware that the EV market has not grown as quickly as originally projected, but with sales seeing an 11 percent increase in Quarter One the company is confident their operation is part of a “growing, emerging market.”

“In a nutshell, this year it is estimated that one in four new vehicles that are sold in the United States will be electrified in some way,” McAlister said. “That means they will be full electric vehicles, they will be plug-in hybrids, or a traditional hybrid.”

McAlister gave an update on the company at the Hardin County Fiscal Court’s meeting Tuesday. She discussed common questions the company has received including the potential impact of tariffs and the current status of the Kentucky Two plant, which is still on pause.

“The construction for the most part is completed,” McAlister said. “It has met all safety requirements, and it is shelled out. The interior is empty, and the market will determine when that building is ready.”

When discussing safety, McAlister said after an investigation that lasted about a month, the root cause of the April 27 fire at the plant was determined.

“There was a misalignment of a shaft within a pump,” McAlister said. “The misalignment was likely due to the fact that our equipment is made to run 24/7. It’s supposed to stay on all the time. We’re in what’s called a testing phase right now, so our equipment is turned on and off, on and off.”

When asked about rumors regarding Nissan potentially joining Ford at the plant, McAlister reiterated the company’s previous statement that their parent companies are “always looking for new business opportunities” but Ford is currently their only customer, and she said any news on a new customer would come directly from BlueOval SK.

McAlister said about 1,400 employees have been onboarded, and full production is still on track to begin in the second half of this year.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

The fiscal court approved the county budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. Eighth District Magistrate Kenny Muse said he was voting against the budget because he was frustrated with the use of reserve funds to balance it.

“Each year, we say we’re going to do better, and we probably have done better, but we’re still not there with, I guess it’s $2 million over,” Muse said.

The council also approved an ordinance amending the 2024-2025 budget to account for receipts from road aid and asphalt funding, and a resolution approving step in grade for the new budget and a one percent cost of living adjustment was approved.

Lincoln Trail District Health Department Public Health Director Sara Jo Best provided an update on services the health department provided in Hardin County. Best said total visits for the current fiscal year as of April are 14,856, which with two months left is already ahead of the 10,915 visits seen last fiscal year.

Hardin County Emergency Management Director Joey Scott said federal Disaster Survivor Assistance staff have contacted more than 5,100 homes in the county since April storms and flooding hit the area. The deadline to register with FEMA for Individual Assistance has been extended to July 25.

“Almost $3 million has been recovered so far from claims from Hardin County, so that’s encouraging news that some money is coming back to our community to help people during this time,” Scott said.

FEMA’S Disaster Recovery Center is located at Kentucky State Police Post Four.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet June 24.

The City of Elizabethtown Events staff kicks off the 2025 Lawn Party at the Lake concert series Wednesday night.

The headliner for the show at the Freeman Lake Park bandstand is 94.3 The Wolf’s own Kevin Jaggers.

“The band, I don’t get to bring them around E-Town as much as I’d like to, so this is going to be one of those shows that we’re rocking full force, and we’re really excited about that,” Jaggers said. “We’re going to do a lot of the covers that get people up dancing, moving, shaking, all the good things, and then we’re going to do some originals as well.”

Priscilla Scarborough with the city’s events staff says all are welcome to come out for the free show.

“He’ll be taking the stage at 6:30 with his band over at Freeman Lake Park at the bandstand,” Scarborough said. “We’re going to have food trucks and some lawn games. Come and hang out. It’s just going to be a great time.”

Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles says parking at Freeman Lake Park will open at 5:30.

“Come in the Blue Heron Way entrance to Freeman Lake Park,” Pyles said. “The folks there will direct you where to park. Bring your lawn chair. It is festival-style seating. We will have some picnic tables, but there’s never enough for everybody. We do ask that you don’t bring coolers.”

Visit www.etownevents.com for more information on the Lawn Party at the Lake series.