SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS CELEBRATES SPEED KENTUCKY RIBBON-CUTTING, HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN OWSLEY COUNTY

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, joined local, state and regional leaders Friday to celebrate Speed Kentucky’s new Eastern U.S. assembly and distribution operation, a $1.47 million investment expected to create 60 full-time jobs in Owsley County.

The ceremony at the Owsley County Industrial Park celebrated what state economic development officials describe as the county’s largest investment and job-creation announcement on record. The Booneville operation will handle final assembly and distribution of Speed UTV vehicles, establishing the company’s first major operational footprint outside its existing U.S. facility in Anaheim, California.

“When I think about these 60 planned jobs, I think about the families who could build a life around them,” Stivers said. “People want to make a living without having to leave the place they call home. We secured $500,000 for upgrades to the industrial building with opportunities like this in mind. I look forward to seeing people in Owsley County go to work here.” 

Stivers secured the $500,000 in the 2026 Regular Session for upgrades to the Booneville Industrial Building through House Bill 900. Section 137 appropriates the funding for fiscal year 2026-27 from the state’s Budget Reserve Trust Fund and directs it through the Department for Local Government to the Owsley County Fiscal Court for building improvements.

The project follows more than 25 years of work to recruit a business to the industrial park, according to Darrin Gay, chair of the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority. Backroads of Appalachia, a nonprofit focused on motorsports tourism, also helped attract Speed Kentucky to the region. 

Speed Kentucky’s planned operation will serve as an Eastern U.S. hub for the company, expanding its assembly and distribution capacity. Company co-founders Robby Gordon, an internationally recognized motorsports champion and entrepreneur, and Jimmy Lewis joined community leaders for Friday’s celebration.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved a 15-year agreement providing up to $1.3 million in performance-based tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The authority also approved up to $30,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. 

“Robby and Jimmy, thank you for choosing Owsley County,” Stivers said. “I also want to thank Erik Hubbard and Backroads of Appalachia, our local officials and the people who have worked for years to bring a business to this park. Owsley County has waited a long time for a day like this. I’m glad I could be here to share it with them.” 

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Clay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, and Whitley Counties. As of January 1, Stivers has served as Kentucky Senate president for over a decade. He first assumed the position in 2013, succeeding former Senate President David Williams. As Senate President, Stivers chairs the Senate Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee and is co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission. He is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.