Governor awards City of Pikeville $770,000 for economic development projectPIKEVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 27, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a regional driver licensing office will open in Pikeville this summer. He also awarded the City of Pikeville a $770,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to purchase equipment to lease to Appalachian Tank, Inc. (ATI), in partnership with the City of Pikeville Economic & Industrial Development Authority.
Pikeville Driver Licensing Regional OfficeGov. Beshear today announced Pikeville will be the future site of a
Driver Licensing Regional Office opening this summer. The office will open in its permanent location and include space to house Kentucky State Police driver testing services. The accelerated timeline expands access to more Kentuckians needing driver licensing services that require an in-person visit. There are 23 Driver Licensing Regional Offices strategically located across the state to serve residents from any Kentucky county – regardless of where they live – who need to request, replace or renew a driving credential and
do not require testing. Kentuckians also have the option to renew credentials
online or by mail. At least 31 regional offices will be open by the end of this year.
“On Team Kentucky, we’re working every day to make sure all government services offered are up to the standard our families deserve,”
Gov. Beshear said. “Driver’s licenses aren’t just credentials. They’re keys. They unlock so many other doors, like making your voice heard in an election, being able to drive to school or work as you pursue your goals or being able to travel on a plane or visit a military base to see loved ones.”
“It is great that Pikeville will be home to a regional driver’s license facility,”
Senator Philip Wheeler said. “With its opening this summer, residents of Kentucky’s largest county and surrounding counties will have a nearby location to obtain a driver’s license. The funding used to build out the new office was much needed and will help provide a valuable service to those living in this community.”
“I’m really pleased that Pikeville will soon be joining the list of communities having a regional driver’s license office because that will significantly shorten the time needed to get or renew a license for those who live in the county or along Kentucky’s southeastern border,”
House Minority Caucus Leader Angie Hatton said. “I want to thank Gov. Beshear for traveling here to make this announcement. This is a great day for Pike County.”
“What an excellent day for Pikeville. Each of these announcements is a tremendous help to uplift our region,”
Rep. John Blanton said. “We're also opening a new facility to produce aluminum tank trailers, which will bring more jobs home. I look forward to the new KYTC Regional Driver’s License Office serving our community this summer.”
“While the regional approach to Driver’s License offices isn’t always customer-focused, I will make sure the center serves our community and meets the needs of constituents throughout the region,”
Rep. Bobby McCool said. “The new production facility will also bring more opportunities for so many hard workers to support their families and grow our commonwealth.”
“Many in Pike County have asked me when their community will have a regional driver’s license office, so today’s news that one is on the way will make them and a lot of others happy,”
Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty said. “I’ve been proud to work with Gov. Beshear, my fellow legislators and our local leaders to make projects like these possible. Together, they will make a major difference for the people of Pike County.”
For years, circuit court clerks provided driver’s licenses and state identification card services in each county, but a majority of clerks decided to ask KYTC to take over issuing REAL IDs. Legislation passed in 2020 that transitioned REAL ID services as well as other driver license and state ID services to KYTC.
City of Pikeville to Lease Equipment to Aluminum Tank ProducerATI, a subsidiary of the Platinum Tank Group, will be opening an aluminum tank production facility in a 60,000-square foot building. Platinum Tank Group is based in Canada and has been manufacturing aluminum tank trailers since 1979. In addition to ATI the company has four affiliates with two serving the Canadian market, one serving the U.S. market, and one serving the North American market.
The CDBG funds, administered through the Department for Local Government, will be used to purchase tank machinery, including: a 20-foot shear, a 20-foot automated seam welder, a 20-foot tank roller, tank welding positioners, an industry-unique Blue Valley machine and common industrial equipment such as welding machines, torches, cutters, a compressor, water pump, water meter and water storage tank. The machinery will be leased from City of Pikeville Economic & Industrial Development Authority to ATI at a rate of 2% for a 7-year term.
About the Community Development Block Grant ProgramThe Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
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