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Alltech to build the first rural community bio refinery
Alltech, an international biotechnology company based in Nicholasville, was awarded the first incentives package under Kentucky's new Incentives for Energy Independence Act (IEIA) to build a 10-million gallon, self-sustaining rural community bio refinery in Springfield, Ky.
"This project and technology could have far reaching implications, not just for the state but for the country as a whole," said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. "Alltech is committed to the future of agriculture and making Kentucky a national leader in that area, and this incentive represents a big step toward making that happen."
The $40 million project will receive $8 million in incentives based on a sales tax refund for building and equipment costs, a state income tax wage reduction for new employment (an estimated 93 new jobs), and a credit against state income taxes.
The community bio refinery project also presents an opportunity for Alltech to forge new partnerships with regional universities, giving students and faculty the opportunity to be actively involved with the state's emerging energy economy through research and development.
Alltech has also applied for assistance through the Department of Energy to fund the second phase of the project, which will focus on utilizing cellulose, such as switch grass, corn cobs and corn stover, at levels of up to 30 percent of its raw material for conversion to ethanol and other value-added products.
Feedstock for the facility will consist of approximately 72,000 tons of corn and 32,000 tons of lignocellulose per year. Lignocellulose is comprised of corncobs, husks and other traditional waste material from corn. The corn feedstock necessary for the plant will come from 11 surrounding counties.
At a press conference on October 25, Lyons announced plans to break ground on phase one of the community bio refinery project on February 1, 2008. He said he hopes to follow quickly with the beginning of phase two of the project once Alltech has received "the nod" from DOE.
Lexington to lose 630 jobs, gain 691
Lexmark International will reduce its Lexington work force by 200 people by the end of 2008. The cuts are part of a worldwide restructuring of the company's struggling inkjet division. The company is asking Lexington employees to join a voluntary reduction program providing severance pay, extended medical benefits, early retirement benefits and career assistance.
To the 80 positions eliminated in August at its Lexington loan-processing center, Chase Bank is adding 430. Bank officials blame a slump in the housing and mortgage markets. The jobs are to be phased out by next summer.
Pacific Pulmonary Services plans to open a new service center in Lexington. The facility will employ 241 with hourly wages ranging from $9.50 to $43.27.
The provider of home oxygen and other respiratory medications and equipment will receive up to $2.5 million in state tax incentives, approved by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority.
Amazon.com, Inc. is adding more than 400 full-time positions at its Lexington Fulfillment Center to support growing customer demand. The facility was established in November 2000 and fulfills customer orders for products from Amazon.com. Management opportunities include roles as Area Managers, Operations Managers and Facilities Area Managers. Hourly positions are available for Warehouse Associates, and there are also hourly opportunities available in Human Resources, Maintenance, Receiving/Shipping and Loss Prevention.
After a move from Winchester Road to Merchant Street, Big Ass Fans is again expanding and adding 51 positions in the process. The company will move its headquarters into a new 240,000 square foot facility in the Blue Grass Business Park on Georgetown Road.
Phillip Gall's to be reopened by out-of-town owner
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court's Eastern District of Kentucky has approved the terms of sale of Phillip Gall's, the 105-year Lexington store that closed and filed bankruptcy in August.
The sale, for $125,000, has been approved by the court to Richard Kassar, owner of the Benchmark Outfitters store in Cincinnati. The sale, contingent on approval of financing according to a spokesperson at Benchmark, includes all of the items in the store as well as the Phillip Gall's name, court documents show.
In the sale, documents stated, Benchmark will not assume any of the outstanding debt that may still exist following completion of the sale.
According to Steve Gall, former owner of the store, the location remains the same as it did when he closed its doors in August, and all of the goods remain on the racks untouched.
Gall added his niece, who served as his buyer, will continue in that position when the store reopens. While he said he has been out of the loop on the sale from the company's bankruptcy trustee and Kassar, it is his understanding that the store will reopen in time for the holidays.
Mayor selects Cubine adviser for policy, budget
When Mayor Jim Newberry announced his choice for city budget chief, many present and former Frankfort hands took notice. John Cubine, named the city's first senior
adviser for policy and budget, has a reputation for one who knows his way around a calculator. And Lexington has looming some serious, complicated budget challenges.
Cubine, a veteran state employee with extensive experience in budgeting and financial management, was a mere 28 when he became policy and budget director in the Cabinet for Human Resources. He has since served as deputy secretary of the Governor's Executive Cabinet, deputy director for budget review for the Legislative Research Commission and most recently as director of the Division of Financial Audit in the State Auditor's Office.
When Cubine moves into the LFUCG Government Center in mid-November, he will find on his plate the fiscal nightmare that greeted Newberry: a police and firefighters pension fund that is $221 million in the red and the prospect of an enormous bill from the EPA to fix the city's sanitary and storm sewers. Those challenges will compete for funds with myriad other imperatives including preparations to host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010.
Airport wins air service development grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Blue Grass Airport a $600,000 grant to apply towards air service development. The grant offers risk abatement and marketing funds to recruit, support and successfully establish low fare airline service.
Carriers that could be targeted include AirTran, Frontier and Jet Blue.
The airport worked closely with local and state leaders during the application process for this grant. Support was provided by congressional leaders, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Commerce Lexington and the Lexington Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Whitlock becomes EKU's 11th president
Dr. Doug Whitlock, who was selected in August as president of Eastern Kentucky University for a one-year interim period, was named the University's 11th president and given a three-year contract by the EKU Board of Regents.
A Madison County native and two-time Eastern graduate, Whitlock had served his alma mater in various administrative roles for 35 years, the last five as vice president for administrative affairs before retiring in 2003. He continued to teach computer science classes part time until 2006.
Whitlock succeeds Joanne Glasser, who resigned this summer to accept the presidency of Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
Statewide high-speed education network launches
All Kentucky students soon will have access to high-speed Internet connections in their schools. The Kentucky Education Network (KEN) was launched Oct. 30 at Franklin County High School. KEN provides increased bandwidth to all school districts across the state in order to improve the speed in which information, applications and communications are shared.
WEG vendors invited to register
An opportunity to become a vendor at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is now available. The World Games 2010 Foundation, the organization responsible for planning, staging, and conducting the 2010 Games, launched its Trade Show Advance Registration Deposit Program on October 15.
The advance registration program allows vendors to make an initial deposit and secure priority status for selecting a final exhibit location on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds once plans have been finalized. Approximately 400 vendors from around the world will offer a variety of products, services and information to more than 600,000 attendees.
Interested vendors can access the registration forms and deposit information on the 2010 Games Web site, www.feigames2010.org. Potential vendors can download the program overview and registration forms. All forms must be completed and mailed to the World Games 2010 Foundation with the initial deposit payment. There is no set deadline for the deposit program.
The initial deposit amount is $2,500 per booth space. Total prices per space are expected to be $12,500-$20,000 for the entire 16-day event. For more information about the advance registration program, potential vendors can contact the World Games 2010 Foundation staff at tradeshow@feigames2010.org , or at 859-255-2010 ext. 236.