>> THE AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAMS LEAK THIS, THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR AN OFFICER TO BE PATROLLING THEIR COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE BODY ARMOR TO PROTECT THEM.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE GETTING AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION.

>> I'VE SAID FOR A LONGTIME IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES TO TELL YOUR STORY PROUDLY.

>> Renee: WE'RE ON THE ROAD IN SOMERSET A TOWN MAKING CREATIVITY HAPPEN.

>> THE FESTIVAL WAS FORMED TO BRING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE TO RURAL KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS OTHERWISE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND THAT IS STILL OUR MISSION TODAY.

>> Renee: A MUSIC FESTIVAL IN SOMERSET IS THE TALK OF THE MUSIC WORLD.

>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" FOR THIS THURSDAY, JULY THE 10TH I'M RENEE SHAW WE THANK YOU FOR SPENDING SOME OF YOUR THURSDAY NIGHT WITH US.

WE ARE CONTINUING OUR ON THE ROAD SERIES FROM SOMERSET IN PULASKI COUNTY TODAY WE ARE INSIDE THE CENTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH SERVES 45 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.

HERE THERE ARE PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY, ARTS AND CULTURE, LEADERSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY.

IT ALSO SERVES AS A FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER FOLLOWING DEADLY TORNADOES THAT HIT THE REGION BACK IN MAY.

COMING UP, WE'LL GO ONE-ON-ONE WITH MAYOR ALAN KECK AND TAKE A TRIP TO NEARBY WAYNE COUNTY TO SEE HOW MONTICELLO IS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY IN THAT COMMUNITY.

NOW, FIRST TO THE NEWS TODAY.

Governor Andy Beshear is again asking President Donald Trump to approve public assistance for parts of Kentucky affected by storms in April and May.... including the tornadoes that hit Laurel and Pulaski Counties.

President Trump DID approve help for individuals, affected by those storms.

But he hasn't acted yet on public assistance for state, city, and county governments.

The governor says if the state gets federal help for cleanup and rebuilding effort, the state's share of the cost would be tens of millions of dollars.

He says WITHOUT federal help.... the state would pay hundreds of millions.

During his news conference today, the governor said other states are getting help.... as they should.... but Kentucky needs that help as well.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: NOW, WHILE I DID NOT THINK THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD APPROVED ANY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SINCE FEBRUARY, HE DID APPROVE IT FOR TEXAS AND I'M GLAD HE APPROVE TO DO FOR TEXAS QUICKLY.

I HOPE WHAT THAT MEANS IS THIS OPENED THAT PROGRAM BACK UP.

THE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN DENIED.

I WILL BE COMMUNICATING WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION THAT GONE TO BAT FOR US A NUMBER OF TIMES.

ABOUT THAT.

ABOUT OUR NEED FOR IT.

AND WHAT IT MEANS.

AND I KNOW POLITICS WILL NEVER COME INTO THESE DECISIONS BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT LAUREL COUNTY VOTED FOR THE PRESIDENT 85% OF ALL VOTERS, SOMERSET 80 PLUS PERCENT, I MEAN THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE COUNTING ON THE PRESIDENT THAT THEY VOTED FOR AND MY HOPE IS HE WILL COME THROUGH WITH THE SAME HELP PROVIDED IN HIS FIRST TERM AS WELL AS UNDER THE LAST PRESIDENT.

NO TIME FOR POLITICS WHEN WE WILL ARE SUFFERING AND I HOPE WE CAN GET THIS ASSISTANCE.

>> Also today....

Governor Beshear announced that the state property tax rate will go down for the fifth year in a row.

He says for 2025, it will be ten-point-six cents for every 100 dollars of assessed value.

It was ten-point-nine cents..... in 2024.

The governor says every little bit helps, as Kentuckians continue to deal with high prices.

YESTERDAY WE TOLD YOU HAD ABOUT THE BODY ARMOR GRANT PROGRAM THAT EXISTS TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH EQUIPMENT LIKE BULLET-PROOF VESTS TONIGHT WE HAVE MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT'S AFFECTING POLICE FORCES ACROSS THE STATE.

EMILY SISK WAS IN COVINGTON YESTERDAY AND HEARD FROM STATE LEADERS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTS.

>> I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE AS OF TODAY, THAT WE HAVE ACCRUED NEARLY 2,000 ITEMS OF BODY ARMOR VESTS.

>> THAT WAS THE NEWS FROM KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN ACCESS TO PROTECTED EQUIPMENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BODY ARMOR GRANT PROGRAM CREATED LAST YEAR AFTER THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDED $15 MILLION.

STATE LEADERS AND REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GATHERED IN COVINGTON TO CELEBRATE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

SENATOR CHRIS MCDANIEL WHO REPRESENTS NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND CHAIRS THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SPOKE ABOUT THE MISSION BEHIND THE PROGRAM.

>> SOMETIMES, IN THE MOST EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CALLED UPON TO ACT ON OUR BEHALF, THEY HAVE TO DO SO AT THE POINT OF A GUN.

WHEN THAT OCCURS, THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING PEACE NEED THE BEST PROTECTION THAT WE CAN OFFER.

>> IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY 19 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR BODY ARMOR THROUGHOUT BOONE, KENTON AND CAMPBELL COUNTIES.

FLORENCE'S POLICE CHIEF SAYS THE EQUIPMENT COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME.

>> WE BECAME AWARE OF THE PROGRAM, THE GRANT, AT AN IDEAL TIME FOR US.

WE HAD SEVERAL OFFICERS THAT WERE WEARING ARMOR THAT WAS GETTING READY TO EXPIRE AND IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING SEVERAL NEW OFFICERS.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL COLEMAN SAID LAST YEAR, 20% OF KENTUCKY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE EITHER NOT WEARING A VEST OR WERE WEARING ONE THAT WAS EXPIRED.

BULLET-PROOF VESTS EXPIRE EVERY FIVE YEARS WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAW THE NEED FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM.

>> THE AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR AN OFFICER TO BE PATROLLING THEIR COMMUNITY WITHOUT APPROPRIATE BODY ARMOR TO PROTECT THEM.

>> FOR CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF, MIKE JANSEN THE DEVELOPMENT HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

HIS BROTHER ANTHONY JANSEN WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO.

HE WAS ONLY 25.

ANTHONY WASN'T WEARING BODY ARMOR AT THE TIME BUT A VEST WOULD HAVE COVERED WHERE THE BULLET HIT.

>> I CAN REMEMBER SITTING IN THE KITCHEN WITH MY PARENTS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING A VEST, GETTING A VEST.

BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD.

>> BODY ARMOR BACK THEN AND TODAY IS EXPENSIVE.

TODAY EACH VEST COSTS ABOUT $800.

BUT AS SHERIFF JANZEN SAID IT'S THE LEAST THAT CAN BE PROVIDED FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO RISK THEIR LIVES ON THE JOB.

>> ALL DEPUTIES AND OFFICERS DESERVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE KNOWING THEY RETURN HOME SAFELY TO THEIR LOVED ONES AFTER EACH SHIFT THAT IS PRIORITY ONE GUYS, PRIORITY ONE.

>> THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EQUIP EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE STATE WITH A VEST.

THEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS TO INVEST IN SHIELDS AND HELMETS.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M EMILY SISK.

>> THANK YOU.

CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF MIKE JANSEN'S FAMILY WAS THERE FOR YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDING HIS NEPHEW WHO WAS CONTINUING HIS FATHER'S LEGACY BY SERVING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

>>> STATE LAWMAKERS A MIXED RESPONSE AS LLC OF HOPKINSVILLE ASKED FOR STATE HELP TO FINISH A $2 MILLION PROJECT TO MAKE REPAIRS ON A FERTILIZERS AG PORT IN EDDYVILLE IT HELPS SUPPLY 100,000 TONS OF DRY AND LIQUID FERTILIZER TO FARMERS.

THE COMPANY INSISTS THE NEW FACILITY WOULD BE A BOON TO WESTERN KENTUCKY FARMERS.

HERE IS THE REACTION THAT WAS HEARD IN THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE.

>> THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE EXISTING PORT THAT WOULD PICK THAT UP, IF THE FERTILIZER FACILITY CEASED TO EXIST.

SO YOU HAVE TO REBUILD THIS OR ANOTHER ONE BUILT ON ANOTHER RIVER IF WE DO THAT THE FARMERS ON THE SOUTHERN TIER, CHRISTIAN, TODD, LOGAN, GRACE, CALLOWAY THEIR FERTILIZER PRICES WILL GO UP BECAUSE THERE'S MORE FREIGHT INVOLVED TO TRUCK IT DOWN FROM THE OHIO RIVER DOWN TO IT.

I'M NOT NECESSARILY IN FAVOR OF THIS.

BUT AS I THINK WE'VE GOT TO QUIT NURSING ALONG PRIVATE BUSINESS.

WE'VE GOT TO QUIT AS A GOVERNMENT WE'RE NEVER GOING TO CONTROL GOVERNMENT SPENDING IF WE DO NOT GET THIS UNDER CONTROL BY HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE IT.

>> OUR COMMONWEALTH HAS MADE MANY INVESTMENTS IN RECENTLY, IN INDUSTRIES THAT ARE UNPROVEN, THAT ARE UNRELIABLE THAT RELY ON FOREIGN SOURCES, THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AS YOU KNOW IS PROVEN.

THE JOBS ALREADY EXIST.

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALREADY THERE.

AND ONLY POISED FOR MORE GROWTH.

I AM IN FAVOR OF IT.

>> Renee: THE CURRENT EDDYVILLE AGRICULTURAL PORT FACILITY WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2015 AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE FOLLOWING DAMAGE TO THE PRIOR BUILDING FROM SEVERE WEATHER.

[♪♪] FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, THE MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL HAS BEEN BRINGING SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD TO SOMERSET AND IT HIGHLIGHTS THOSE WHO ARE MASTERS AT THEIR MUSICAL GENRES.

THE ONCE SMALL EVENT CONTINUES TO DRAW BIGGER CROWDS AND BIGGER NAMES EVERY YEAR AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARES IT WAS A GAMBLE ON ONE MUSIC LEGEND THAT PUT THEM ON THE MAP.

[♪♪] >> THE FESTIVAL WAS FORMED TO BRING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE TO RURAL KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS OTHERWISE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND THAT IS STILL OUR MISSION TODAY.

THE LAST 32 YEARS WE'VE FOCUSED MOSTLY ON FOLK LINEUP BUT WE ADD A LITTLE BIT EXTRA TO AT THAT TIME WHETHER THAT'S BLUES, ROCK, REGGAE, CELTIC, THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING LATIN POP.

WE LIKE TO ADD A DIFFERENT GENRE IN THERE IN SOME OF THE SPOTS BUT IT'S MOSTLY COUNTRY, AMERICANA AND FOLK MUSIC.

THIS YEAR JAMIE JOHNSON IS THAT AT WILL COUNTRY GUY WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG FOLKS THAT ARE EXCITED ABOUT HIM COMING.

WE HONOR A MASTER AND THIS YEAR IS DYLAN AND ONLY KENTUCKY HEAD HUNTERS AND WE'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THEM FOR A LONGTIME AND IT'S TIME TO GIVE THEM THE CREDIT THAT IS DUE.

THEN WE HAVE BUFFALO WOLVES AND THE PRICEVILLE HUSTLE OUT OF OHIO FRIDAY NIGHT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SOMERSET ARTISTS ON OUR LINEUP THIS YEAR.

HUNTER PLAN AND CODY ARE TWO FAMOUS LOCAL MUSICIANS RIGHT NOW.

AND WE'RE GIVING THEM VERY BIG SPOTS ON THE MAIN STAGE RIGHT BEFORE THE TWO HEADLINERS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A COOL MOMENT FOR OUR HOMETOWN U THIS IS MY 15TH YEARBOOKING THE FESTIVAL.

I'VE GOTTEN EVERYBODY THAT I'VE WANTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER UNLESS THEY ARE WAY OUT OF OUR LEAGUE.

[♪♪] WE DECIDED TO GO AFTER WILLIE NELSON IN 2013.

BEFORE THAT, OUR HEADLINER BUDGET WAS 25% OF WHAT WILLIE COSTS.

SO WE TOOK A HUGE LEAP OF FAITH TO GET HIM AND BROUGHT ON NEW SPONSORS AND WAS ABLE TO DO IT AND THAT YEAR ENDED UP BEING AMAZING.

LOOKING BACK LOVE WE'VE HAD WILLIE NELSON AND PEOPLE WEAR THAT LIKE A BADGE OF HONOR AND ANOTHER JOHN PRAWN WE HAD HIM BEFORE COVID AND BEFORE HE PASSED.

AND JUST I'LL NEVER FORGET HIM DANCING ON THE STAGE TO PARADISE AND IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS I'M GOING TO REMEMBER THIS FOREVER.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> FOR ME PERSONALLY WINONA JUDD BEING A LITTLE GIRLIESENING WITH MY MOM AND GRANDMA DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY WHERE WE LIVED SINGING THOSE SONGS AND FULL CIRCLE BEING THE DIRECTOR AND BRING WINONA BACK TO THIS AREA AND THAT WAS A REAL COOL MOMENT FOR ME.

IT IS A BIG GAMBLE TO SAY I WILL PICK THIS ARTIST AND PAY THEM SIX FIGURES AND THEN JUST COUNT ON YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR FAN BASE TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THAT UP.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC WELL TO TAKE THAT KIND OF LEAP.

WE SEE ABOUT 7500 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE TWO DAYS AND WHETHER THAT'S TICKET HOLDERS, SPONSORS WE HAVE A HUGE SPONSORSHIP CONTINGENCY BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE AFFORD TO KEEP OUR PRICES LOWER THAN MOST FESTIVALS.

AND THAT IS WHERE OUR NONPROFIT MISSION COMES IN WE WANT TO MAKE OUR FESTIVAL AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE.

WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMERSET COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS A PARTNER.

THEY HAVE COINED RIGHT BEHIND US FESTIVAL FIELD.

AND IT SAYS IT ON ALL OF THEIR SIGNS THAT IS REALLY COOL THAT WE HAVE A HOME THERE.

[♪♪] >> THE STATE TELLS US THAT WE MAKE A $3 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE TWO DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL.

WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

WE USE THAT NUMBER A LOT WHEN WE'RE MARKETING TO BUSINESSES TO HELP SPONSOR AND IT REALLY HAS BECOME PART OF OUR MISSION, TOO.

IT STARTED OFF TO BRING ARTS AND CULTURE HERE.

BUT WE HAVE ADDED THAT IN THAT IT IS A HUGE ECONOMIC DRIVER.

EVERYBODY THAT IS TRYING TO RECRUIT BUSINESSES HERE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN SAY LIKE YOUR EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE AIATE QUALITY OF LIFE BECAUSE LOOK AT THIS FESTIVAL THAT THEY CAN BE A PART OF.

>> Renee: THE MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL IS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND IN SOMERSET.

THAT FESTIVAL IS JUST ONE OF MANY ATTRACTIONS THAT LURE VISITORS TO SOMERSET ALONG WITH LAKE CUMBERLAND.

TOURISM IS BIG BUSINESS IN THIS REGION.

SOMERSET MAYOR ALAN KECK BOASTS OF MORE THAN OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ARTS BUT A THRIVING DOWNTOWN AND MAJOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

I HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH MAYOR ALAN KECK AT CITY HALL.

>> THE COVER STORY HEADLINE SAYS SOMERSET PULASKI COUNTY CHARGES AHEAD AS ONE OF KENTUCKY'S LEADING ECONOMIC ENGINES AND TALKS ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE BECOME SO NOT BY WAITING FOR CHANGE BUT BY CREATING IT.

>> THAT IS PRETTY GOOD.

>> I LIKE THAT.

I DO LIKE THAT.

>> HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

>> WE'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY INTENTIONAL FOR ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME AND OUR COMMUNITY, WE TALK A LOT ABOUT OUR STORY.

AND I'VE SAID FOR A LONGTIME THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES TO TELL YOUR STORY PROUDLY.

TO BE PROUD OF WHO WE ARE AND NOT APOLOGIZE.

WE'RE SELLING OURSELVES.

NOT JUST REGIONLY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND SPECIFIC TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE'VE SEEN VICTORIES FROM COMPANIES FROM FLORIDA TO CALIFORNIA LITERALLY CHOOSING SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY SOMERSET AS THEIR HOME AND WE'RE PROUD AND WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> Renee: YOU ARE IN YOUR SECOND TERM WHEN YOU INHERITED THIS OFFICE AND EARNED THIS OFFICE, WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DID THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PICTURE LOOK LIKE THEN?

>> STALE AND STAGNANT.

WE WERE NOT INTENTIONAL AT ALL.

WE WOULD GET THE THINGS COMING TO US ORGANICALLY.

GOOD THINGS WERE STILL HAPPENING WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE A GREAT COMMUNITY WE ARE LOCATED IN A STRATEGIC SPOT IN A GREAT STATE.

KENTUCKY IS HAVING A LOT OF WINS BUT WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING PROACTIVELY.

WE HAD GIVEN UP ON WHAT I CALL THE HEART BEAT OF SMALL TOWN AMERICA WHICH IS YOUR DOWNTOWN.

AND WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF FOCUS ON ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF PLACE AND TELLING THAT STORY OF WHY IT IS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO LIVE.

NONE OF THAT WAS HAPPENING.

I DESERVE A LITTLE CREDIT BUT CANDIDLY, WE HAD A COMMUNITY THAT WAS BUBBLING AND I TOOK THE LID OFF AND LET'S LET OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST SHINE AND UNLEASH THE POTENTIAL AND BEING AGGRESSIVE.

>> Renee: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND THAT LENT ITS TESTIFY TO HAVE THE BOLD POSTURE.

>> I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR AND BUSINESSMAN AT HEART.

MY FATHER IS AN ENTREPRENEUR MY GRANDDAD WAS AN ENTREPRENEUR.

WOULD MOVE TO LAKE COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOP SMALL RESORTS AND SELL LAND.

HE WAS A VISIONARY IN THAT ERA.

HE WAS A SIMPLE MAN.

AND DIDN'T LIKE ANY ATTENTION.

WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A RECLUES.

BUT I LEARNED A LOT.

I LEARNED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT FROM MY FATHER WHO HAD AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF GRIT AND PERSEVERANCE STRUGGLED FOR A LONGTIME.

LEFT A NICE CAREER TO START HIS OWN THING.

AND I GOT TO WATCH THAT JOURNEY.

IT DID A LOT FOR ME, ONE TO APPRECIATE HOW HARD THAT CAN BE AND TO LOOK NOW IN THIS ROLE, TO JUST BE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WILLING TO INVEST THEIR TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, NOT JUST THE MONEY CAPITAL BUT THE EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IT TAKES TO INVEST IN THE BUSINESS.

AND I THOUGHT MAN, IT COULD BE SPECIAL IF I COULD TAKE THOSE LESSONS MY PRIVATE SECTOR LESSONS AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE EVERYDAY AS MAYOR.

NOT JUST FROM A GRATITUDE OF APPRECIATION BUT A REAL UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE JOBS AND POLITICIANS LOVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW MANY JOBS THEY'VE CREATED.

WE SHOULDN'T CREATE ANY.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR CREATES JOBS WE CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT CREATES JOBS.

>> Renee: AND DOWNTOWN REVISITTIZATION HAS BEEN THE THING WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT AND PEOPLE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE DOWNTOWN.

IT'S QUITE IMPRESSIVE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M SUPER PROUD OF IT.

I LOVE IT.

AND I LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU.

I'VE ADMIRED YOU FROM AFAR FOR A LONGTIME.

I AM A GIRL DAD AND I LIKE TO TELL THAT BECAUSE MOST OF THE NEW BUSINESSES ARE FEMALE OWNED AND OPERATED IN SMALL TOWN AMERICA IT WAS NOT ALWAYS THAT WAY.

I TRULY BELIEVE REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, BACKGROUND EVERYONE BELIEVES THEY HAVE A CHANCE IF THEY INVEST THEIR HEART AND CAPITAL TO SUCCEED AND THAT'S COOL.

IT'S INSPIRING I GET GOOSE BUMPS TALKING ABOUT IT MY GIRLS CAN SEE THAT THEY CAN POINT TO.

AND I LOVE TO FREQUENT MOST OF THESE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES AS WELL AND SUPPORT THEM.

>> Renee: WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?

THIS SOUNDS GREAT, BUT LET'S TALK MONEY HERE DOLLARS AND CENTS?

>> WE'VE BROKEN TOURISM RECORDS EVERY YEAR I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE EXCEPT COVID THAT IS A HUGE CREDIT TO OUR TOURISM ECONOMY.

OUR POPULATION GREW IN THE LAST DECADE IT DOUBLED THE STATE AVERAGE.

WE WERE ONE OF THE ONLY TWO COUNTIES IN THE ENTIRE DISTRICT THAT GREW AND WE GREW FASTER THAN THE COUNTY BY TWO X AS WELL.

MORE PEOPLE ARE LIVING HERE.

MORE JOBS CREATED.

HALF A BILLION IN INVESTMENT IN FIVE YEARS.

FOR SMALL TOWN KENTUCKY THAT IS STAGGERING.

AND WHAT IS COOL ABOUT THAT NUMBER, IT WASN'T ONE COMPANY AT 450 MILLION AND LITTLE ONES.

WE'VE SEEN EXISTING BUSINESS EXPANSION, MULTIGENERATIONAL BUSINESSES EXPAND AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FROM CALIFORNIA WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HORSE SOLDIER BOURBON WITH THEIR INVESTMENT.

PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO THIS AND WE CAN QUANTIFY IT REVENUE AT THE CITY IS UP 4 MILLION A YEAR.

AND WE PASSED AN OCCUPATIONAL TAX INCREASE THAT DOESN'T AFFECT THAT INCREASE.

$4 MILLION OF NEW MONEY COMING INTO CITY HALL WITHOUT A RATE INCREASE.

THAT IS POWERFUL STUFF.

AND IT'S PROVED TO OTHER TOWNS THAT THIS CAN WORK EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE.

BE PROUD OF IT AND TELL THAT STORY BOLDLY.

>> Renee: AS YOU WILL RECALL, THE MAYOR RAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION IN 2023 UNSUCCESSFULLY.

WILL HE SHOOT HIS SHOT AGAIN FOR HIGHER OFFICE?

MONDAY I ASK HIM ABOUT HIS ASPIRATIONS GOING FORWARD.

TUNE IN MONDAY TO HEAR THIS ANSWER.

>>> KNOWN AS THE HEART OF LAKE CUMBERLAND MONTICELLO IN WAYNE COUNTY HAS FIVE MILLION VISITORS A YEAR.

BUT THE SMALL TOWN WANTS TO BE KNOWN FOR MORE THAN JUST THE LAKE AND THEY HOPE THEIR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION EFFORTS WILL HELP THEM DO JUST THAT.

>> MONTICELLO IS A PRETTY PERSONAL TYPE TOWN.

WE GOT A MIXTURE OF PEOPLE HERE.

WE'RE IN-BETWEEN RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF APPALACHIA.

WE HAVE THE MOUNTAINS TO THE EAST AND STARTS FLATTENING OUT AND RUN INTO THE LAKE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE NOTICED IN MONTICELLO IN THE PAST IS A LOT OF PEOPLE COME AND THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND GO TO COLLEGE AND MOVE AWAY AND DON'T COME BACK.

WE WORKED AS A COMMUNITY TO CHANGE THAT CULTURE AND MINDSET.

WE WANT TO STAY SMALL TOWN BUT WE WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN COME BACK TO.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE THINGS OF THE BIG CITIES BUT WE HAVE THINGS THAT BIG CITIES DON'T HAVE LIKE OUR OLD TOWN POOL HALL, AND MOM AND POP STORES THAT HAD LEFT SOUTHERN AMERICA.

AND WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US GOING.

>> OVER THE LAST FIVE TO TEN-YEARS THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE THAT MADE AN EFFORT I WANT TO BE DOWNTOWN.

AND I THINK WE CAN OFFER SOMETHING AND WE CAN MAKE IT DWO ARE THAT WAY.

>> WE HAVE LIVED HERE OUR LIVES AND FOR A LONGTIME THE ONLY THING TO DO WAS GET A POOL HALL BURGER.

EVERYTHING WAS ABANDONED OR APARTMENTS THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO DOWNTOWN.

SO JUST IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, HAVING SIX NEW BUSINESSES POP-UP HAS BEEN A BIG GAME CHANGER FOR DOWNTOWN.

>> IN 2019, WE DECIDED WE WANTED TO ADD-ON AT OUR HOUSE TO MAKE MORE SPACE FOR OUR PROJECTS AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE WERE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE AND COVID HIT AND EVERYTHING SKYROCKETED.

SO INSTEAD OF BUILDING A NEW GARAGE WE SAID LET'S FIND AN OLD BUILDING AND RENOVATE IT AND WE HAD FRIENDS AT THE BOOKSTORE AND OTHER PEOPLE DOWNTOWN THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE AREA, TOO.

SO IT ALL HAPPENED AT ONCE WITHOUT US EVEN KNOWING.

>> WE OPENED UP HAPPY HOPPERS COFFEE AND MORE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.

AND WE WANT TO HELP BUILD AND GROW OUR DOWNTOWN IN MONTICELLO.

SO THE EMPLOYEES CREATED AN OFFSPRING OF HAPPY HOPPERS AND WE CALL IT THE LILLEY PAD.

THE LILLEY PAD IS A SMALL GRAB AND GO SHOP IT HAS COFFEES FROM HAPPY HOPPERS AND IT CARRIES SOME TREATS SOME CANDIES.

>> WE HAVE STARTED THE MONTICELLO MARKET DOWNTOWN EVENT WHICH IS A VENDORS EVENT DOWNTOWN THAT DRAWS IN VENDORS, ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD TRUCKS, A DIFFERENT THEME EACH MONTH.

LIKE A CAR SHOW, A JEEP SHOW.

KIDS FEST, AGRICULTURE.

AND THOSE THINGS BRING DOWN TOURISTS OFF THE LAKE AND INTO TOWN.

IT IS A GOOD CULTURE INCREASE OR CULTURE BOOST FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

SO WE'VE BEEN DOING THINGS LIKE THAT FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT WE WORKED TOGETHER BETWEEN THE TOURISM COMMISSION, THE COUNTY AND THE CITY, THE CITY DOES A GREAT JOB AT MAINTAINING DOWNTOWN.

THEY HUNG THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER POTS THE LOTS DOWNTOWN.

LOCAL BUSINESSES PARTNERED WITH TOURISM AND ARTS COUNCIL TO DO THE MURALS DOWNTOWN.

IT IS A BIG JOINT EFFORT.

>> WE HAVE WORKED ON THE ALL THE MURALS WE'VE FUNDED THEM AND GOT SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO THEM OR DONE THEM OURSELVES.

WE'VE GOTTEN THE LAKE ONE ON THE SIDE AND CITY HALL WE GOT THE STAGECOACH FUNDED AND THE RETAINING WALL ON THE BACK OF OUR BUILDING THERE IS ATWO AND THE DANCE STUDIO HAS ONE.

WE'VE TRIED TO BRING BACK AS MUCH LIFE TO DOWNTOWN AS WE CAN.

>> WE'RE PROUD OF THE DOUGH BOY.

IT IS A BIG PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

IT REPRESENTED THE SOLDIERS THAT WENT OFF TO WORLD WAR I AND THERE'S BLACKS COMMEMORATING THE PEOPLE.

>> YOU CAN COME THROUGH AT NIGHT AND YOU SEE THE LIGHTS AND THE SEE THE DOUGH BOY SITTING THERE.

THE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE A GAME-CHANGER ON THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NOW.

SO PEOPLES ALREADY TRAVELING TO SEE THAT THEY ARE GETTING READY TO DO A REVITALIZATION OF THAT BUILDING AND THE HISTORIC MILL SPRINGS WE HAVE A MILL THAT GROUNDS CORN THAT IS A BIG DRAW AND OF COURSE THE LAKE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO PULL FROM THAT TO BRING THEM INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND IT KEEPS OUR SMALL BUSINESSES GOING.

>> Renee: THE TOWN IS NAMED AFTER THOMAS JEFFERSON'S HOME PRONOUNCED MONTICELLO THAT IS ITALIAN FOR LITTLE MOUNTAIN.

[♪♪] IF YOU LIKED PETE, CHERRY AND BLACKBERRY ALE 8 GET SET FOR PAW PAW.

IT WILL BE PUTTING OUT A PAW PAW VERSION OF THE CLASSIC SOFT DRINK IN AUGUST AND THE WINCHESTER COMPANY PARTNERED WITH KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY TO DO IT.

KSU RESEARCHERS DID THE PAW PAW RESEARCH TO MAKE THE DRINK POSSIBLE.

THE PAW PAW IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE KENTUCKY BANANA.

KSU IS HOME TO THE ONLY PAW PAW RESEARCH PROGRAM IN THE WORLD.

>>> WE'VE SPENT THE LAST THREE DAYS COMING TO YOU FROM SOMERSET SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY A REGION OF THE STATE WITH A VERY INTERESTING HISTORY FROM THE EARLY SETTLERS TO THE CIVIL WAR AND BEYOND AND IT'S HOME TO SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE FROM A COFFEE MOGUL TO A MISS AMERICA WE'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THAT TOMORROW FRIDAY ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

WATCH FULL EPISODES AND CLIPS AT KET.ORG AND SEND US A STORY IDEA AT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG AND LOOK FOR US ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

INTEREST'S RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

[♪♪]