Record private-sector investment in Carlisle County to create high-wage jobs and expand renewable energy production
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 26, 2026) — Governor Andy Beshear announced that Green Energy Parks will establish a $142 million agricultural waste-to-energy facility in Arlington, Kentucky, marking the largest private-sector investment in Carlisle County history and the county’s first major private development announcement in more than a decade.
The project is expected to create 20 high-wage jobs while strengthening Kentucky’s growing renewable energy sector and supporting value-added uses for agricultural byproducts.
Converting Agricultural Waste into Renewable Energy
The Arlington facility will transform locally sourced agricultural materials — including:
- Corn stover
- Livestock manure
- Distillers’ grains generated by Kentucky’s bourbon industry — into renewable natural gas (RNG) and food-grade liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂).
At full capacity, the facility is projected to:
- Produce approximately 1.47 million British thermal units of renewable natural gas annually
- Capture and liquefy more than 72,000 tons of CO₂ per year
- Process roughly 575 tons of agricultural feedstock daily
The project integrates agriculture, energy production, and carbon capture technologies, positioning rural Kentucky as a participant in the nation’s evolving clean energy economy.
Gov. Beshear noted the broader economic impact:
“This investment strengthens our economic future while creating high-wage jobs and building on Kentucky’s agricultural and bourbon heritage. Projects like this continue to demonstrate Kentucky’s leadership in attracting transformative investments.”
Rural Economic Development Meets Energy Transition
The project is being developed in partnership with Global NRG, a transatlantic renewable energy developer specializing in anaerobic digestion, renewable natural gas, and sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure.
Chris Negus, co-founder and CEO of Global NRG, said Arlington represents a model for future rural energy development:
“By converting agricultural byproducts into renewable natural gas and food-grade CO₂, we are demonstrating that energy transition and rural economic growth can advance together while creating lasting economic value for local communities.”
Global NRG operates across the full project lifecycle, from development and financing through long-term facility operations, with financing mandates exceeding £1.5 billion globally.
Transformational Investment for Carlisle County
Local leaders emphasized the project’s significance for a rural community where agriculture remains the economic foundation.
Carlisle County Judge/Executive Greg Terry said the investment aligns with the region’s long-term growth strategy:
“This project builds on our agricultural strengths while creating new job opportunities and positioning Carlisle County for a stronger economic future.”
Philip King, chairman of the Carlisle County Industrial Development Authority, added that the development reflects economic growth aligned with local identity:
“Agriculture is the backbone of our county, and this project enhances opportunity while strengthening our economic position for years to come.”
Advancing Kentucky’s Energy and Investment Momentum
State officials noted that the Arlington project represents another milestone in Kentucky’s recent economic development momentum, with dozens of counties announcing record investment projects during the current administration.
By combining renewable energy production with agricultural supply chains, the Green Energy Parks facility demonstrates how rural communities can attract next-generation infrastructure investments while supporting sustainability goals and long-term economic diversification.
For more information, visit GlobalNRGRenewables.com.
