Lt. Gov. Coleman Presents Nearly $3.5 Million in Awards for Shelby County
Funding supports cleaner water projects and nonprofits
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (March 31, 2023)?? Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced $3,450,764.90 in funding for cleaner water projects and nonprofits in Shelby County.
?Investments in our communities through clean water and nonprofits provide Kentucky a solid foundation for building tomorrow?s economy,??Lt. Gov. Coleman?said. ?What excites me, as a rural Kentuckian, is that opportunity is coming to all corners of the commonwealth, not just our big cities.?
?Today was the culmination of years of hard work,? said Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison. ?These funds will upgrade our infrastructure and support our incredible nonprofits. When we prioritize our people and work together, we can make days like today a reality.?
Cleaner Water Program
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced the commitment of $2.9 million in funding from the Cleaner Water Program. The funding will go toward the following projects:
- North Shelby Water Company will use $650,000 to replace 1,175 water meters;
- U.S. 60 Water District will use $650,000 to improve the Waddy water system;
- West Shelby Water District will use $650,000 to replace a pump station;
- The City of Simpsonville will use $500,000 to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant; and
- Shelbyville Municipal Water & Sewer Commission will use $469,693 to install sewer mains.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 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 projects progress, the utilities will be reimbursed by Cleaner Water Program funds.
?It is great to see the work of the General Assembly directly benefitting Shelby County,? Rep. Jennifer Decker of Waddy said. ?Through the dedication of ARPA funds towards the Cleaner Water Program, Shelby County can improve its nonprofits and water infrastructure.?
?The state?s Cleaner Water Program funds will enable the Shelbyville Municipal Water Commission to upgrade critical infrastructure by replacing an undersized and outdated pretreatment system and sewage pumping station with a new gravity sewer main at the Shelby County Detention Center,? said Shelbyville Mayor Troy Ethington. ?This new project will reduce the risk of sanitary overflows and the possibility of limiting service to the detention center. In the future, this project will allow the commission to eliminate the need for a sewage pumping station at Clear Creek Park as well as another at a proposed development.?
?Since the renovation of our sewer treatment plant in 2005, we have continued to strive to provide the cleanest operation of treatment and discharge of water back into our waterways,? said Simpsonville Mayor Ronnie Sowder. ?The sludge press will allow us to continue our mission and will also benefit the Citizens of Simpsonville for many years to come. We are so honored to receive this $500,000 grant and so thankful for the state government in recognizing the need to invest in water and sewer infrastructure within our community.?
?West Shelby is very grateful that our district was considered for a portion of the Cleaner Water Program funds,? the West Shelby Water District said in a statement. ?It is awarding us the opportunity to replace a pump station that has been in operation since 1978, while allowing us the ability to maintain our current water rates without having to pass the cost of the new pump station on to our customers. Again, it is extremely appreciated.?
Nonprofit Assistance Fund
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced $531,071.90 in funding to 11 nonprofits from Gov. Beshear?s Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which helps organizations across Kentucky recover from the effects of the pandemic. The funding comes from the federal 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 each eligible nonprofit's mission and long-term sustainability. The awards include:
- $100,000 to the Hazel Joyce Wiley Career and Financial Literacy;
- $100,000 to UofL Health ? Shelbyville;
- $100,000 to the Shelby County A&M;
- $65,402.38 to the Shelby County Community Theatre;
- $62,276 to the Habitat for Humanity of Shelby County;
- $48,284.62 to Open Doors of Hope;
- $21,383 to the Shelbyville Rotary Club;
- $10,857 to Father?s Love;
- $9,761 to the Stormhaven Youth Ranch;
- $8,558.51 to the Living Waters Church; and
- $4,549.39 to the Salvation Army in Shelby County.
?Rising rent and home prices have made affordable housing one of the biggest issues facing families across our country. We have so many families in our community who need a safe, affordable place to live,? said Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Shelby County Pam Carter. ?The money we received from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund will allow us to build two homes this year instead of one and we will be able to make the dream of homeownership a reality for two families. This is life-changing for these families and for this, we are so grateful!?
?We are so grateful to receive this generous award from the Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund to enhance the infrastructure of historical buildings on our property. We are also working on becoming an emergency response facility to serve as a center for the residents of and around Shelby County,? said the President of Shelby County A&M Tom Ingram. ?A portion of these funds will also help provide medical, spiritual and physical needs to the underprivileged in Shelby County.?
?The Salvation Army is grateful to the Governor?s administration and the Kentucky General Assembly for this generous allocation of funds as part of the Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund. This gift will allow the Army to continue ?Doing The Most Good? in Shelby County. This includes providing food to the hungry, emergency financial assistance, youth programming and emergency disaster services. As we recover from the lingering effects of the pandemic, we are challenged today by an increase in requests for assistance due to rising costs and strained family budgets. These funds are desperately needed and will go a long way to help those in need in Shelby County,? said Major Tom Louden, divisional commander of the Kentucky and Tennessee Division of the Salvation Army. ?
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