Andy Beshear Asked About Tax Revenue From Proposed Meta Data Center In Kentucky
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state will independently analyze the tax revenue and economic benefits associated with Meta's proposed data center in Mason County. He said the analysis will examine property taxes, jobs and infrastructure benefits, while acknowledging that incentives could reduce sales tax revenue that otherwise would not exist.
During a press conference, Gov. Andy Beshear addressed a question about the proposed Meta data center in Mason County, Kentucky, and whether taxpayers would receive an independent comparison of the project's expected benefits and the tax revenue potentially forgone through incentives.
Beshear said Kentucky would analyze the property taxes the project could generate for the school system, county and state if Meta or another company formally applies for incentives. He said the incentive program was created by the Legislature and is now law, but stressed that officials should be transparent about the value of the deal so local governments can make informed decisions. The governor also noted the argument that the project might not proceed without incentives, meaning the state could gain property tax revenue while giving up sales tax revenue that otherwise would not be generated.