FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will be the newest chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board, a think tank that has been led in the past by such notable politicians as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Beshear will be the board's 40th chairman, succeeding Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.

Because the Kentucky governor is chairman, next year's conference will be held in Lexington June 6-8.

Beshear said he is honored to serve as chairman and to host the conference, which will focus on growing the automotive industry in the South.

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