HENDERSON, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear delivered $2,941,819 to Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster counties to provide cleaner drinking water and improved sewer and wastewater systems. The funding is part of the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program and is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.
“These investments will provide improved water and sewer services to thousands of residents, support economic development for current and future businesses and increase the resilience of our infrastructure,” Gov. Beshear said. “Together, we are building a better Kentucky.”
The Governor also presented ceremonial checks representing Kentucky Transportation Cabinet projects to resurface local roads. Union County received $26,160 to resurface to parts of Ben Ladd Road. Webster County received $241,898 to resurface portions of Countryside Drive and Hearin-Bordley Road.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), $250 million was appropriated through a bi-partisan agreement at the close of the 2021 General Assembly for clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky.
The Green River Area Development District submitted the funding requests for all four counties’ projects to the KIA.
To see a complete list of awarded projects for the City of Calhoun, City of Corydon, Henderson County Water District, Henderson Water Utility, the City of Livermore, McLean County, the McLean County Regional Water Commission, City of Morganfield, and the City of Sacramento, City of Sebree, City of Sturgis, City of Uniontown, Union County, City of Waverly and Webster County, click here.
Sample projects include:
Union County
Morganfield Water Works will use $132,040 to purchase and install approximately 2,000 radio-read water meters, allowing customers’ meters to be read electronically, eliminating errors and aiding the city in locating potential areas of water loss.
“We are thankful for these funds for our water and road infrastructure! With the limited number of customers we have in our rural communities, these improvements are practically impossible without this help,” Union County Judge/Executive Adam O’Nan said. “Union County is very appreciative of Gov. Beshear’s investment in our community and people!”
“Morganfield, like all smaller cities, have struggled through the pandemic. This money from the Cleaner Water Program and transportation funding will help complete our migration to radio read gas and water meters and free up our crews to work on many other projects to improve service to our customers,” Morganfield Mayor Randy Greenwell said. “On behalf of our council, the City of Morganfield, and myself we thank the Governor and all involved for their support.
“Our water meter upgrade project has been in the works and these funds will allow us to move forward,” Sturgis Mayor Doug Rodgers said. “The new meter technology will be beneficial for both our employees and customers and is vital to the upkeep of our water system. We are very grateful for the Cleaner Water Program and transportation funding.”
Webster County
A $475,308 award to the City of Sebree will help reduce the infiltration of storm water into the wastewater system lines will include replacing the aging clay lines and extending an 8-inch gravity sewer. A section of exposed sewer line will be lowered, and a retaining wall will be rebuilt. This project will add five new customers and improve service to 665 users, including 35 commercial users and the industrial park.
“I look forward to seeing these vital infrastructure updates in our district. I would like to thank the Governor’s administration for the opportunity to share this incredible news with the people of McLean County and Webster County,” said Rep. Jim Gooch, who represents McLean and Webster Counties and a portion of Daviess and Hopkins counties.
“We are very grateful that Gov. Beshear and his administration has selected to award this funding to the Sebree Wastewater Project,” Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry said. “Not only will this make a more efficient system it will allow for future economic development in Webster County at the I-69 Business Park. These are the types of investments that will pay huge dividends for the commonwealth and Webster County going forward.”
Henderson County
Two Henderson Water Utility projects that total $1.3 million will provide wastewater services and potable drinking water to businesses locating in the new industrial park on Kentucky Route 425 east of Old Corydon Road.
“Clean water and the infrastructure to deliver it to Kentucky residents is essential for communities to thrive,” Sen. Robby Mills said. “I applaud the local leadership in Henderson and McLean counties for building it and delivering this critical element to families.”
“The Cleaner Water Program will improve both the drinking water and the waste water systems in Henderson. Last year, I voted for SB 36, which included relief funds given to the state by the federal government,” said Rep. Jonathan Dixon, who represents a portion of Daviess and Henderson counties. “The legislature made the decision to include these ARPA funds because everyone deserves the right to clean water and that is exactly what this program will be doing.”
“These grants are going to be so beneficial to our community,” Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider said. “We appreciate both the Governor and the members of the General Assembly for funding this program. A big congratulations to the Henderson County Water District, the City of Corydon and the Henderson Water Utility, and a sincere thank you to the Green River Area Development District’s Skyler Stewart for her invaluable assistance with the grant applications.”
“The City of Henderson is delighted to learn about the funding secured through Kentucky’s Cleaner Water Program for water and sewer improvement projects that the Henderson Water Utility is committed to completing in our city,” Henderson Mayor Steve Austin said. “The projects to be addressed with this funding will be an important benefit to the economic and environmental health of our community. We are grateful for the confidence shown in us and the support shown for us by our state government in awarding us this opportunity.”
“Henderson Water Utility is pleased to receive funding through Kentucky’s Cleaner Water Program for important water and sewer improvement projects in our city,” Tom Williams, HWU General Manager said. “These funds will be utilized on projects that will protect public health and the environment, and to enhance the economic vitality of our community. We appreciate the coordinated, comprehensive, state-wide approach to project prioritization across our region by the legislature and Gov. Beshear that has made these awards possible.”
McLean County
The City of Sacramento will use $98,137 to perform maintenance on the Sacramento water tank, which likely will include installing a new tank liner and painting the inside and outside of the tank. These repairs will ensure the quality of water provided to customers.
“Clean water is essential to improving overall good health and a higher quality of life,” Sen. Matt Castlen said. “Because of the leadership of Judge Curtis Dame, McLean County Judge/Executive, this community will have both.”
“The McLean County Fiscal Court and the citizens of McLean County are excited to receive Cleaner Water Funding for such a wide array of projects,” McLean County Judge/Executive Curtis Dame said. “These collective efforts will help improve the safety and quality of McLean County’s water supplies. Thank you to the Governor and his staff for the continued support of our water and infrastructure needs.”
“We have several projects that have been a longtime coming,” Sacramento Mayor Betty Howard said. “The City of Sacramento is so appreciative of Gov. Beshear making these Cleaner Water funds available.
Additional cities, counties and utility leaders who received awards thanked Gov. Beshear and the General Assembly for investing in their communities.
“The City of Livermore is appreciative of the Cleaner Water funding that we are receiving,” Livermore City Clerk Andrea Shelton said. “By improving our water distribution system by replacing an outdated water meter system, we will be better equipped to detect any water loss that may be occurring within our system.”
“The City of Corydon’s sewer system is about 30 years old and these funds will provide a much needed upgrade. On behalf of the City of Corydon we would like to thank everyone that played a role in making this possible.” Corydon Mayor Ronda Smith said.
About the Cleaner Water Program
More than $106 million has been awarded to grantees to fund transformative projects since the call for projects was announced June 1. Eligible government agencies, such as city-owned water or sewer utilities, water commissions, water and sewer districts and counties, collaborated with their local Area Development Districts (ADD) and Area Water Management Councils to submit projects for Cleaner Water Program funding. There are 713 public drinking water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky.
Cleaner Water program funding is allocated in three ways:
- $150 million 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. A list of the allocations by county can be found here.
- $50 million is available for utilities to provide drinking water services to unserved, rural customers or to utilities under a federal consent decree. The KIA shall consider social, economic and environmental benefits in determining the allocations.
- $49.9 million is available to supplement a project grant for a project with a cost in excess of a county’s allocation amount and other available grant sources. The social, economic and environmental benefits shall be considered in determining project allocations. KIA will receive $75,000 to administer the grant program.
The application deadline was Nov. 19, 2021; however KIA will make awards continuously throughout the year. All grant awardees must obligate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024. The American Society of Civil Engineers in 2019 projected that Kentucky faces nearly $14.5 billion in water/wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, including over $8.2 billion in drinking water upgrades and $6.2 billion in sewer system improvements.
Information about the Cleaner Water Program, as well as grants for broadband expansion, school facility upgrades and vocational education center renovations, can be found at governor.ky.gov/BetterKy.
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