Monday, at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, Gov. Andy Beshear presented more than $8.5 million for infrastructure, cleaner water, law enforcement, nonprofits, tourism and transportation in six counties: Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Magoffin and Martin.
“We promised Eastern Kentucky that we would be there for them until every life and structure is rebuilt,” Gov. Beshear said. “Today, with the investments we’re making in local communities, supporting cleaner water, public safety, local nonprofits, tourism and more, we are rebuilding and ensuring prosperity for generations to come.”
“As always we are very excited to have our Governor visit Floyd County,” said Floyd County Judge/Executive Robbie Williams. “We thank him for his commitment to our region, and his partnership is much appreciated.”
Beshear announced a total of $2.9 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for projects in Breathitt and Johnson counties.
The Johnson County Fiscal Court will use $2.3 million to install over 20,000 feet of sewer line. This will provide sewer service to 70 homes, four businesses, three commercial properties and a future campground site.
The Breathitt County Water District will use $600,000 to install 16,000 feet of waterline. This will improve water service for 1,900 homes and provide first-time water service to nine homes.
The ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia. Gov. Beshear currently serves as the ARC’s co-chair. More information is available here.
Beshear announced the commitment of $3.6 million in funding from the Cleaner Water Program. The funding will go toward the following projects:
- The Paintsville Utility Commission will use $1.3 million to install over 3,000 feet of sewer line and roughly 13,000 feet of waterline to unserved areas of Johnson County.
- The Knott County Fiscal Court will use $865,672 to improve the water supply for 250 homes.
- The Magoffin County Water District will use $706,886 to extend waterlines to unserved areas in Magoffin County. This project will provide water service to 65 unserved homes.
- The Martin County Sanitation District will use $685,625 for improvements to the wastewater treatment system.
- The City of Jackson will use $698,648 to extend water service to 13 homes, increase the water system’s storage capacity and make improvements to the sewer system.
- The Breathitt County Water District will use $134,648 to improve water service for 1,900 homes and provide first-time water service to nine homes. This project will also receive $600,000 in ARC funds.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, $500 million has been appropriated through a bipartisan agreement with the General Assembly to provide clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky since 2021. The 2022 funding will be allocated based on each county’s proportion of the state’s population, with the exception of Jefferson County’s share, which is discounted by 50% based on its high per capita allocation from the federal act. As the project progresses, the utility will be reimbursed by Cleaner Water Program funds.
Beshear announced today that the City of Paintsville will receive $5,886.84, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office will receive $10,739.34 and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office will receive $9,690 in grant funding through the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security’s Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP).
LEPP provides approximately $500,000 annually to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to provide grant funds for city, county, university and school law enforcement agencies throughout the commonwealth. Agencies can apply for the program through the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to acquire essential protective equipment for Kentucky peace officers. Items can include body armor and tasers, as well as body-worn cameras.
The Governor awarded $716,423 to 10 nonprofits in Floyd, Johnson and Knott counties. The awards come from the Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which is helping organizations across Kentucky recover from the effects of the pandemic. The funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Gov. Beshear supported the allocation of funds by the 2022 General Assembly. This fund will provide one-time direct relief payments to support the mission and long-term sustainability of each eligible nonprofit. The awards include:
- $100,000 to the Appalachian Artisan Center of Kentucky;
- $100,000 to the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky (AppalRED);
- $100,000 to the Christian Appalachian Project;
- $100,000 to the Hindman Settlement School;
- $100,000 to the Lotts Creek Community School;
- $100,000 to Mountain Comprehensive Care;
- $78,164 to God’s Appalachian Partnership;
- $19,575 to the Wayland Historical Society;
- $10,763 to the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame Foundation; and
- $7,921.63 to St. Vincent Mission.
Beshear awarded $111,674 to the Prestonsburg Tourism Commission and $55,094 to Paintsville Tourism Commission to support travel marketing and promotion. These awards are part of the $75 million ARPA funding supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in 2022 to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic. They were announced by the Governor in July.
The Governor presented $255,375 in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet funding, which will help the county resurface Big Lick Branch Road and Cannel Coal Gap Road.
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy