Learn about The Commonwealth of Kentucky, including Featured News, Key Projects, Active Debt Issuing Entities, SPBC, TAK, and ALCo, and Office of Financial Management.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky was granted statehood on June 1, 1792, making it the fifteenth state in the Union and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. Bordered by mountains on the east and gently rolling plains in the west, the heart of the state is the Bluegrass region, giving Kentucky its nickname as the Bluegrass State.
Located in Central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave and is the second oldest tourist attraction in the United States, having first been promoted in 1816. Kentucky is known as the Horse Capital of the World and is the home of the most famous horse race in the world, the Kentucky Derby. The Derby has taken place every year since 1875 in Louisville, Kentucky. It is one of the few sporting events not postponed or delayed during the World Wars.
Kentucky's location and infrastructure lend itself to being a natural fit for several industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and bourbon. Kentucky is the largest bourbon provider in the world, producing approximately 95% of the global bourbon supply. Items for aerospace, primary metals, food, beverages, as well as service industries such as logistics and transportation are all major exports of Kentucky. Kentucky has a rich history in the automotive industry and ranks third in the total number of vehicles produced every year.
March 24, 2021 - Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'BBB' rating to the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) approximately $185 million first tier toll revenue refunding bonds Series 2021A and has upgraded the ratings to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB-‘ for both the KPTIA outstanding $336 million first tier toll revenue bonds and $446 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan. The Rating Outlook to all obligations are revised to Positive from Stable.
March 30, 2021 - Moody's Investors Service has assigned a ‘Baa2’ rating to the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) $185 million First Tier Toll Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A (Downtown Crossing Project). At the same time, Moody's has upgraded the ratings to ‘Baa2’ from ‘Baa3’ for both the KPTIA outstanding $365 million first tier revenue bonds and $452 million third lien TIFIA loan. The outlook has been revised to stable from positive.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of Financial Management (OFM), is requesting the submission of qualifications for underwriter, financial advisor, local co-manager and bond counsel services. Firms pre-qualified through the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process will be eligible to receive a Request for Proposals (RFP) for services provided to bond issuing agencies of the Commonwealth for financings in Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022) and Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023). The RFQs will be available on January 13 for review in their entirety on OFM’s website at: http://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/OFMRFPsandRFQs.aspx
To obtain copies of the RFQs, email Aubry McDonald at Aubry.McDonald@ky.gov Responses to the RFQs are due no later than 2 p.m. on February 10, 2021.
The Governor delivered his combined State of the Commonwealth and Budget Address in a virtual speech recorded in his office due to coronavirus restrictions and delayed a day by the attack on the U.S. Capitol by domestic terrorists.
The Capitol Annex currently houses Legislative and Administrative offices, including the Office of Financial Management. It was financed with an appropriation from the General Assembly in 1946, and proceeds of the 1950 inaugural issue of the State Property and Buildings Commission, Project No. 1.
Located across from the south lawn of the Capitol, it is styled with a limestone façade, brick terrace, and balustrades mimicking the Capitol building. The Annex was originally intended to serve as a judiciary building, but with the addition of bond proceeds, it was possible to fund the construction of a more substantial office structure. Construction began in 1950, and the building was fully occupied by September 1952.
Built-in 1973, originally named Commonwealth Stadium was expanded and renovated in 1999 using $24 million in bond proceeds from State Property and Buildings Commission Revenue Bonds, Project No. 66. Proceeds of $110 million from the University of Kentucky General Receipts Bonds, 2014A and 2014C financed the 2015 renovation and rebranding of the stadium, now called Kroger Field.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky and Indiana worked for more than 40 years to develop an improved cross-river mobility project between Louisville, KY and Clark County, IN. The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project is comprised of two segments. The Downtown Crossing Segment (pictured) and the East End Crossing Segment. The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority was responsible for constructing and financing the Downtown Crossing Segment with a combination of toll revenue bonds, Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission Bonds, a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Loan, and State Highway Plan Cash.
In 2019, a $241 million project to renovate Rupp Arena and the Lexington Convention Center began after receiving $60 million in bond funding from the Commonwealth’s State Property and Buildings Commission, Project No. 119. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2022 and will include over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space and a dramatically updated exterior.
The State Property and Buildings Commission (SPBC) is an independent agency of the Commonwealth with power, subject to approval by and in cooperation with the Cabinet, to finance the acquisition of real estate and the construction and equipping of building projects and other public projects for any agency of the Commonwealth. SPBC is authorized to execute lease agreements with those state agencies requesting SPBC to issue revenue bonds, which leases provide for the payment of lease rentals to SPBC in order to make payments on the revenue bonds issued in the name of SPBC. Prior approval of projects and appropriations of debt service by the General Assembly are required for SPBC to issue debt.
The Turnpike Authority of Kentucky (TAK) is authorized, subject to the limitations contained in the Biennial Appropriations Act and terms of written agreements with the Transportation Cabinet, to construct, reconstruct, maintain, repair and operate turnpike projects, resource recovery road projects, and economic development road projects, to lease such projects to the Transportation Cabinet and to issue its revenue bonds, revenue refunding bonds, revenue notes and revenue bond anticipation notes to finance such projects. Prior approval of projects and appropriation of debt service by the General Assembly are required for TAK to issue debt.
The Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission (ALCo) was created by the General Assembly to develop policies and strategies to minimize the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the Commonwealth’s interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. ALCo is authorized to issue tax and revenue anticipation notes, project notes and funding notes to provide financing of capital projects and cash flow borrowings to meet the working capital needs of the Commonwealth. Prior approval of projects and appropriation by the General Assembly are required for ALCo to issue debt, exclusive of cash flow borrowings within a fiscal year.
Kentucky’s public colleges and universities (1), with prior approval and appropriation of debt service by the General Assembly, may use debt financing for capital projects, including the construction of educational buildings, housing, and dining facilities; informational technology projects; and equipment.
(1) Kentucky’s public colleges and universities are: Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University
The Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) is a de jure municipal corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth established to serve a public purpose by increasing the supply of decent, safe and sanitary residential housing for persons and families of lower and moderate-income through, among other things, (i) originating or participating in the origination of insured low-interest construction loans, (ii) originating or participating in the origination of insured low-interest mortgage loans and (iii) purchasing or participating in the purchase of insured mortgage loans; in each case upon KHC’s determination that construction loans or mortgage loans, as the case may be, have been refused in writing, wholly or in part, by private lenders in the Commonwealth on reasonably equivalent terms and conditions. KHC is statutorily limited to $5 billion of debt outstanding.
The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) is a de jure municipal corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth, created to engage in programs of financial assistance to governmental agencies in the state with respect to the construction and acquisition of infrastructure projects. KIA currently has four active loan programs, two of which are federally assisted through the Environmental Protection Agency. Prior appropriation of debt service by the General Assembly is required for KIA’s revolving loan programs to issue debt. Other KIA loan programs are statutorily limited to debt outstanding of $500 million without legislative authorization.
The Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC) was established to provide a program of financing, making and purchasing student loans in the Commonwealth. KHESLC is statutorily limited to $5 billion of debt outstanding.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) was created to cooperate with local development agencies in their efforts to promote the expansion of business and job opportunities in Kentucky, to foster economic development and prevent unemployment through the retention, promotion, and development of health care and health-related facilities, and to issue revenue bonds. KEDFA utilizes low-interest loans, grants, and tax credits to developing businesses and manufacturing entities expanding or locating facilities in the Commonwealth.
The Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority (KPTIA) was established in 2009 by the Kentucky General Assembly to review, approve, and monitor certain significant transportation projects within the Commonwealth and between the Commonwealth and the State of Indiana and, if necessary, to assist with the operation, financing, and management of those projects. Prior approval of projects by the General Assembly is required for debt issuance.
Authorization: KRS 56.440 – KRS 56.590 and KRS 58.020
Website: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/SPBC.aspx
Official Statements: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/SPBCOfficialStatements.aspx
Overview: Established in 1949 and reconstituted Oct 1, 1976, SPBC is an independent agency with the power to finance the acquisition of real estate, the construction and equipping of building projects, and other public projects for any agency of the Commonwealth. The Executive Director of the Office of Financial Management serves as secretary to the Commission.
Board Members:
Governor (Chair)
Lieutenant Governor (Vice-Chair)
Attorney General
Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet
Secretary, Cabinet for Economic Development
State Controller
State Budget Director
Board Meetings: As needed
Quorum: Any four (4) members of the Commission or their alternates constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum provides authorization to transact the business of the Commission.
Objective: Issue revenue bonds to provide financing for capital construction projects and other financing programs approved by the General Assembly.
Authorization: KRS 175 and Kentucky Constitution General Provisions Section 230
Website: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/TurnpikeAuthority.aspx
Official Statements: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/TAKOfficialStatements.aspx
Overview: The Authority is an independent agency of the Commonwealth with the power to construct, acquire, finance, and operate road systems. The Authority’s Secretary and Treasurer are elected outside of the membership of the Authority.
Board Members:
Governor (Chair)
Lieutenant Governor (Vice-Chair)
Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet
Secretary, Cabinet for Economic Development
Secretary, Transportation Cabinet
Attorney General
State Highway Engineer
Board Meetings: As needed
Quorum: Any four (4) members of the Authority or their alternates constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum provides authorization to transact the business of the Authority.
Objective: To perform essential governmental functions and to serve the public in constructing, acquiring, financing, and operating turnpike and other road projects for the use, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the traveling public.
Authorization: KRS 56.860 – 56.869 200 and KAR 23:010
Website: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/KentuckyAssetLiabilityCommission.aspx
Official Statements: https://finance.ky.gov/services/ofm/Pages/OfficialDocuments.aspx
Overview: ALCo was established in 1997 to develop policies and strategies to minimize the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the Commonwealth’s interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. The Executive Director of the Office of Financial Management serves as secretary to the Commission.
Board Members:
Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet (Chair)
Attorney General
State Treasurer
Executive Director of the Office of Controller
State Budget Director
Board Meetings: As needed.
Quorum: Any three (3) members of the Commission, or their alternates, constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum provides authorization to transact the business of the Commission. Each alternate shall be a person on the staff of the appointing member or shall be in the employ of the appointing member’s agency or department of the government of the Commonwealth.
Objective: Minimize the impact of fluctuating receipts of revenues on the budget of the Commonwealth and fluctuating interest rates on the Commonwealth's interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. Additionally, it provides financing for public projects of the Commonwealth and state agencies.
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is a department within the Office of the Controller, which is dedicated to providing quality, and efficient financial services to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its agencies. OFM is the centralized debt office and is tasked with the responsibility of issuance, management, review, and approval of all debt issued by the Commonwealth and its agencies. OFM also coordinates and monitors cash needs and investments of approximately $3-4 billion of state funds.
OFM serves as primary staff to the State Property and Buildings Commission (SPBC), the Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission (ALCo), the Turnpike Authority of Kentucky (TAK), the State Investment Commission (SIC), Kentucky Private Activity Bond Allocation Committee (KPABAC) and the Kentucky Local Correctional Facilities Construction Authority (KLCFCA).
Ryan Barrow
Executive Director
(502) 564-2924
ryan.barrow@ky.gov
Steve Starkweather
Financial Analyst
steven.starkweather@ky.gov
Bethany Couch
Financial Analyst
bethany.couch@ky.gov
Billy Aldridge
Financial Analyst
billy.aldridge@ky.gov
Matthew Feltner
Financial Analyst
matthew.feltner@ky.gov
