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Meade County sees unemployment decrease while rest of Lincoln Trail District sees slight increase

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Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District saw another slight uptick in January compared to the year prior.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates rose in 115 counties from January 2023 to January 2024, with the state unemployment average for January 2024 reported at 4.8 percent.

Six counties in the Lincoln Trail District saw unemployment rates in January that were higher than both December 2023 and January 2023. Nelson County’s unemployment rate for January 2024 came in at 4.1 percent, which is even with January 2023. Meade County was one of only three counties in the commonwealth where unemployment fell, going from 5.1 percent last January to 4.9 percent this January.

The unemployment rate for Hardin County in January 2024 was reported at 4.7 percent. That’s an increase from the 4.3 percent rate reported in January 2023 as well as the 3.9 percent rate from December 2023.

Washington County posted the lowest unemployment rate in the district at 3.6 percent, while Grayson County posted the highest rate in the district at 5.7 percent.

Visit the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet online for more information.

Remember to drink responsibly this Saint Patrick’s Day

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As folks get ready to put on their green and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day this weekend, officials are reminding Kentuckians: buzzed driving is drunk driving.

“In the wake of the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day holiday, I want to remind those who choose to consume alcohol to please do so responsibly, and have a sober driver in place prior to taking the first sip of their green beverage of choice,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Denham.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says alcohol consumption at Saint Patrick’s Day is higher than average, which means the risk of dangerous situations on roadways is increased. The KYTC says over the past three years 43 crashes due to a drunk driver have been reported across the commonwealth on Saint Patrick’s Day, resulting in 24 injuries and six deaths.

If you are planning on consuming alcohol, always designate a driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. If you have friends that are drinking, take away their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely. If you think you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Visit the KYTC on the web for more tips and information.

Hardin County Extension Homemakers hosting Spring Bazaar Saturday

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The Hardin County Extension Homemakers invite you to their Spring Bazaar, which will be held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Office, located at 111 Opportunity Way in Elizabethtown.

More than 40 vendors will be on hand with crafts, gifts, and unique homemade items for sale. Stop in for lunch with soups, sandwiches, and baked goods available. Admission is free, and all proceeds benefit local students.

For more information, contact the extension office at 270-765-4121.

Federal, state, and local officials on hand for ANP ribbon cutting

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Several high-profile guests were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Advanced Nano Products Enertech facility in Elizabethtown Wednesday.

“We’re here to see Advanced Nano Products’s nearly $50 million investment for a facility that will produce parts for EV batteries,” said United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. “It’s part of a boom in EV-related investments in Kentucky, and those are part of the massive investments in manufacturing and clean energy being made across the country.”

The secretary credited state incentives along with incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act with helping to bring the facility to Elizabethtown.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was also on hand for the ceremony. Beshear called Wednesday a banner day, and credited the hard work of local officials.

“When we made the announcements, we were excited,” Beshear said. “We knew it changed everything, but the reality is coming. And Mayor (Jeff Gregory), this right here, this city, this county, is becoming the center of our EV universe. Thank you for all of your work, and everybody, no matter what you did, you played a role.”

Korean Ambassador to the United States Hyundong Cho said the work of local officials to create partnerships with Korean companies makes developments like ANP no surprise.

“It’s not a coincidence that ANP chose to build their plant in Hardin County,” Cho said. “Governor Beshear and your local officials have sought out foreign investment and taken the necessary measures to bring factories and good jobs right here.”

The ANP facility is due to open in May.